Who Dey!

Bengals 37 Vikings 8
The 2005 Bengals are 2-0.

vrrrrmmmm, vrrrmmmmm. That's the sound of the Bengals playoff bus filling up with a full tank of gas for the long haul. There are still a few seats available on the Bengals bandwagon, anyone interested?

The Power Team comes to CCS

So what's not to like? Here are some quotes from their website:


"Proven effective for almost 30 years .
New Integrity and Accountability in place, and maintained by Oversight Boards.
Powerful Results: 2-3 out of every 10 who come, make decisions for Christ.
Averaging a 20% church growth within 12 months following crusade.
Averaging 60% "Unchurched" visitors nightly!
Over 20 world-class athletes performing feats of strength and sharing the
powerful message of the cross.
Rated as the top school assembly, with over 15,000 assemblies completed.
Endorsements and referrals, from hundreds of pastors and government officials."

Well, here is what I didn't like:
- Celebrity driven platform speaking
- Hype
- namedropping to make presenters sound more dynamic
- embellished dynamic stories to manufacture a specific response
- focus on external physical body/strength
- awkward/inappropriate skit between adult male presenter and female teenage student
- fear and guilt as a short-term motivator
- teaching a reduced gospel that involes only being "saved from a devil's hell"
- defining "gospel" as information given
- shameful decision time, pointing out the students who didn't have their hands raised were "in trouble and heading to a devil's hell"
- no focus on the reality of spiritual journey and conversion process
- reinforcing cultural stereotypes of "cool" and "uncool"
- bashing professional wrestling antics while re-enacting them with a Christian label

Was it all bad? nope. I sensed them to be guys of integrity and taught for the beginning about the love of Christ. I'm down with that stuff. I just believe its important to be discerning about everything we are influenced by, regardless if it has a Christian label on it or not. I hope some of my students at least thought about it, instead of just being entertained.

Stop and notice the Kingdom around you today,

a Kingdom that has come

Mary ann mentioned Kingdom Come in her last comment. I'm sitting here in bed watching Rock Star: INXS and reading a little N.T. Wright "Challenge of Jesus". This is a book I've decided to re-read and in chapter 2 I came upon this quote:

"When they longed for the kingdom of God, they were not thinking about how to secure themselves a place in heaven after they died. There phrase 'kingdom of heaven' which we find frequently in Matthew's Gospel where the others have 'kingdom of God' does not refer to a place, called 'heaven' where God's people will go after death. It refers to the rule of heaven, that is, of God, being brought to bear in the present world. Thy kingdom come, said Jesus, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus' contemporaries knew that the creator God intended to bring justice and peace to his world here and now. The question was, how, when and through whom?"

That is such a big idea, I can hardly grasp it. Kingdom has come, and even tonight as I still am hurting a bit, I know its presence is right here. And that comforts me.

peace to your house tonight,

now it makes more sense

I've been wondering why I had this melancholy song in my head listed below. I had forgotten that there was a 3rd interview with our son Zach at home today with my wife. Its the school district giving us some attention. They are pushing ahead all of the paperwork but have bigger concerns. They are concerned over some sensory issues w/ Zach and will send an occupational therapist out to observe him in the next few days. We are thankful for the help and the resources, but frankly it makes my wife and I a bit emotional. As far as we know, it was just a learning disability issue. Now it seems that we will be testing him for many other issues.

All of that just breaks my heart. I don't want my son to suffer. I don't want him to be sick. I don't want him to struggle. But there are no guarantees in this life are there? Our human condition is ruined and sometimes that hurts. so . . . today I hurt.

Fix You (Coldplay)

(I'm just loving this song by Coldplay lately)

Fix you

When you try your best but you don’t succeed
When you get what you want but not what you need
When you feel so tired but you can’t sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can’t replace
When you love someone but it goes to waste
Could it be worse

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below
When you’re too in love to let it go
But if you never try you’ll never know
Just what you’re worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face
And i…
Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And i…

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

monday monday

Not a bad weekend at all. Friday night high school football game, very proud of our guys who were outmanned the moment they hit the field. Particularly the seniors stuck it out and played with a lot of heart. Did I mention I was very proud of them?

Saturday morning, my 2 daughters had the idea of selling lemonade to all the soccer game fans behind our house to raise $$ for Hurrican Katrina victims. In 2 hours, we made $68. We'll be doing that again.

I won't mention the Ohio State game from Saturday night because I haven't gotten over it and apparently I woke up the entire house at midnight screaming at the TV in some foreign tongue, because I'm sure that I dont' use those words. But my wife made a point of letting me know exactly what I said :(

Sunday was full. A Community Gathering at our house of OCC and after our meal and kids time, we discussed an opportunity through resettle to use the majority of our resources over the coming year to make a difference in atleast one family by moving them up here to the Nati temporarily or permanently if they like. We are making a year committment to furnish an apartment and make a wholistic lifestyle for somebody who today thinks they have no hope to pick up the pieces. For us, its just a natural application to I John 3:17-18, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth." This is the biggest commitment OCC has ever taken on and we are stepping out in faith, yet very excited.

Bengals win, beat the Brownies. It was our 1st step to a playoff run. The bandwagon is rolling slowly, anybody want a ticket? If/when the Bengals make it to a Super Bowl again, there will be an Epic party at my house. nuff said.

In my training to run the Indy 1/2 marathon on October 15, I waited til the heat passed and ran 8 miles last night. It felt reasonably good, my first good run in weeks. I've been struggling. Now I'm hopeful I can be ready for the race w/ Bean. However, today I am quite sore.

Come on Monday, let's see what you got!

peace,

well . . . that was a first

Last night was my last class of NT Survey at Indiana Wesleyan University (cincy campus) for this cohort. They took their exam, handed in their final paper and then I gave them my last lecture which was on Revelation. This has been a diverse class of skeptics, seekers and followers. They shared that this class was one of the ones in their program that they were terrified of because of all their negative church experiences. Instead they said it was one of their favorites. This has less to do with my teaching than it does the compelling nature of Jesus' life and teachings.

I explained the typical arguments and disagreements over how to interpret this apocalyptic literature. I gave them all sides to the discussion and then ended with about a 15 minute explanation of my overall view of the Kingdom of God. I proclaimed about the new heaven and the new earth and that we actually partner with God on their creation. That I don't believe the rapture is us leaving to go anywhere, but rather an unveiling of this new heaven and earth (parousia/apakolupsis). That the Kingdom has already come in the person of Jesus Christ. That the Kingdom is all around us in the same quality that exists in the heavenly realm. That death is a passage into the fullness of that Kingdom, now we have quality, then we will have quantity too. That the Kingdom is the natural way to live, it is the essence of being the human you were created to be. That the only way to experience the Kingdom of God is through the person of Jesus Christ. That heaven is not a place far away, but a realm very near to us now. That hell is God giving us over to alienation for eternity, which is what we've chosen all along. That heaven and hell are not so much places to go, but states of being. One in alienation, one in perfect communion with the Creator. And that there are "thin places" here on earth where the presence of God can be encountered in its fullness and it leads to total transformation. These portals to the Kingdom are the spiritual disciplines and any follower of the Kingdom needs to embrace these as breath and life. All of Revelation is a love story of Jesus longing for us and returning to us.

And then it happened . . . they clapped. Never had that happen after a lecture. I believe that they were agreeing with what their souls long for > Truth. God's unadulterated Truth revealed has a way of stirring your soul. I count it a blessing to be a conduit for His Truth and Power.

Its been a hard week, but this was a good night.

peace,

a pondering . . .

so this morning I sit, thinking about it all,
some days its enough to just stand without one fall,
what is my purpose and why am I here?
why does my heart fill with so much fear?
i don't like what I see and I don't like where I am,
and if i thought of the right changes, do I believe that I can?
doubts and questions, ponderings for sure,
there is no guarantee that makes this life secure,
darkness and beauty exist in the same breath,
while somewhere in New Orleans the air wreaks of death,
its not about hope, seems more to do with faith,
just some mornings i wonder how much more i can take,
so today the heart is heavy, i hardly even know why,
i wish i had the time to just let myself cry,
brokeness is not evil, most times it leads to good,
often leads me to the thoughts and the actions i should,
some days its just a battle, the reality is war,
its time for me to wake up for the Enemy is at my door,

may you find peace in your ponderings today,

Religion and Jesus don't mix

There is a religiosity in the air sometimes and its stench wreaks. Usually it comes out in the form of judgmentalism towards others and guilt/shame within ourselves. Jesus called us to love our neighbors and experience freedom for ourselves, but somehow religion is just easier to do.

I kid you not that in my classroom that as I projected images of the hurricane in order to spur on a time of prayer, some students chose to mock it and be glad for a judgment on those sinners in Mardi Gras, or that the frenchies down there deserved it. Now I understand what hormones are, and how guys like to show off in front of the ladies and how sarcasm makes you noticed and cool, but this was too far. Some were just stating what had already been taught them re: this storm at church or home. Frankly, it enraged me. I honestly don't know how to teach in that moment. The students are used to me being easy going, but there's a side of me that is tired of the religiosity and wants to overthrow tables. How far should my compassion go in the ways of "boys will be boys" to "sometimes you need a swift kick in the pants"? We'll see how today goes but I just thought I would point this out lest we think the Pharisees died a long time ago.

I hate religion, I love the ways of Jesus. Teach me today Lord to know the difference between the two.

Stop and notice the Kingdom around you today,

An Invitation

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavey or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11:28-30

Been meditating on this invitation the past couple of days and having students journal on it, so I thought I'd blog it. We are studying the topic of Spiritual Formation which is all about the unforced rythms of grace. I admit that I"m still learning exactly what that means. Its a mystical and spiritual process of being drawn into His presence and walking in it completely changed from the inside of my heart. Today in my heart, I feel sad for those suffering through the hurricane. I can hear the cries of people calling from their underwater homes last night. Some of them left their life on earth last night as I slept. I pray that God knows and is present with them.

peace,

God is good

Am in the middle of training for another 1/2 marathon on 10/15 in Indy w/ Bean and Bowen but am struggling to up my miles. Yesterday I did another 6 miles and then dehydrated before I could finish the 7th. I have 7 weeks to be at 13 miles . . . great googly moogly.

Now to the God is good part. I had the privelege of being invited to go with Todd and Jamie Minniear from OCC to Todd's mom's house for a conversation with her. Cheryl has been wrestling with cancer for I believe 5-6 years and is now at the point of it being terminal. She is having lots of questions particularly about life after death. We were able to share w/ her about God's grace and salvation through His Son in the life we have now and the life yet to come. She shared about her life and powerfully confessed some personal things that have been on heart for a long time. It was a time of reconciliation and making things right, very cool stuff. Then we shared more about the love of Christ and a life in God. We had a time of prayer to conclude and Cheryl entered into the Kingdom of God during that time. As well we prayed for her healing as she wants as much time as she can get with her family and enjoy her grandkids. When we came, her face was full of fear. When we left, the burden had been lifted and peace ruled her heart. I am in awe that God uses us to communicate and embody His love for His missing children. Truly, truly, God is good.

Now I'm to try and communicate this love and truth to Christian High School students who have heard it all before.

Stop and notice the Kingdom around you today,

Did I mention I was filthy rich?

The reality of my wealth in social capital was proven yet again last night. Its been about 5 months or so since we had a full blown "fight club" meeting and it started back up last night. Rains, Canipe, Johnson and myself sipping coffee, cracking jokes and pondering on Kingdom topics. We just picked up right where we left off, that's when you know that friendship is deep. It was great to catch up. These meetings just put my life in perspective and energize my faith and leadership. It is not good to be alone, finding just one or more others that you can bear your soul with is to be sought after more than gold or silver.

George Barna is coming out with a new book in which he describes "Revolutionaries". He says he can now quantify that there is a population of 20 million Americans who have left church in order to more authentically follow Jesus. Meaning 20 million have left church but not Church. He says many of them have gone underground in spiritual mini-movements in which house churces/missional communities are one version of. He also estimates that in the next 10 years that # will double. The jury is out on why this is happening or if he's completely right in his estimations. What I do know is that he is describing me. I am not at all angry w/ church, (well atleast not anymore) but I do know that I feel at home in small missional communities and am willing to spend the rest of my life asking for God's Kingdom to come in my neighborhood.

We noted last night that the power of these spiritual mini-movements is in that they are contextual. There is not one cohesive idea or model that everyone needs to embrace. America no longer has just one culture. America is a mosaic of diverse cultures and sub-cultures and the Church should look the same. The issue is not models, the issue is the Incarnation of the Kingdom of God. Mini or mega or something in-between, figure out who you are and get about living it out. I don't have time to argue. With my time left on earth I want to invite others into the experience of Kingdom Come and take on whatever sacrifices that entails. Be the Church today.

peace,

Holy Moses I am tired

pause for a moment of complaining: Yesterday was a long day, teaching in my day job from 8:00 - 3:00, then prepped for my night teaching job 3:00-5:00, then got home to say "hi" to my family, eat dinner and leave to teach my night job from 6:00-10:00. I got home around 11, in bed by 12, woke up at 3:00 a.m. with anxiety (which has happened most nights this week) and then up at 6:00 a.m. to start again. The teaching is all going well but for all my effort, I can only just barely keep up with simple bills. I work 4 different jobs (1 full time and 3 part-time) and my wife works 1 part-time and we can still barely make ends meet. Thank God we don't have much debt outside of our mortgage. Its just frustrating that maxing out my workload is bare minimum to get by. At the same time as I complain, people around the world are starving and have no employment, so my venting is in context. Nothing is guaranteed in life, and faith is not w/out struggle. I thank God for His provision but still feel the tension of my toil and tiredness. Ok, moment is over.

Read this today in Celtic Daily Prayer: "Friendship requires honesty. Friends do not need you to be 'up' all the time - instead they enable you to be more vulnerable." For all my complaining about not having much financially, I am filthy rich with these kind of friends. I mean, I have never had the kinds of close friends with whom I can be intimate and real with than I do now. I am poor in finances and rich in social capital, go figure.

peace of Christ upon your day,

Is brokeness an okay place to be?

I woke up a few times last night, feeling pretty restless. Over breakfast and the drive to work I was filled with prayers for brothers and sisters of mine that are hurting right now. Then it just hits me and I feel utterly broken. I feel broken between what "is" and what "should be". We have an unshakeable Kingdom, but we live in the pig stye. The Kingdom is all around us, yet we find ourselves in darkness. Healing is within our grasps, yet suffering continues. Hope is our calling card, yet we proclaim legalism. Freedom is our destiny, yet we choose our bonds.

Then I find myself pointing out everybody else's "stuff" only to realize the enormous plank in my own eye. I am sinful, I am broken, I choose selfishness, I live in death when life is before me, I am what I loathe, I do the things that cause brokeness not just in my heart, but in the heart of Abba. Not in a guilt trip kind of way, but in a relationally distant kind of way. I long for a different kind of spiritual life for me, one that is in step with His ways. I long for a different kind of Church, one that is communed with His Spirit and Truth. And the gap between that longing and the present reality is what causes me brokeness. And frankly, I would rather be broken than settle for status quo.

So today my choice is to worship and reflect. Find my way back to His heart and dwell there a bit. He doesn't move, I do. He doesn't need to change, I do. So may change follow me today.

peace,

Back to School

Today is the 1st day of school and in Christian School style, we began with a 45 min. guilt-trip assembly to keep order. I suppose structure is needed in any group setting but what I can never understand is why teachers/authority require respect but don't seem obliged to give respect to students. I've always notices that when I give students the benefit of the doubt, they respond to me respectfully.

Another side note is that its great having Aaron Klinefelter on staff. Somebody else to interpret reality with and influence students in healthy ways. He is teaching some Bible, doing a Cisco training class and full-time overwhelmed as the resident IT artist. I'm sure he is at full culture shock of the christian school enviorment by now.

Celtic Daily Prayer really struck me today in the Finan reading:

We are peculiar. We have chosen not to go with the majority. Whe shall pray and reflect on the life of Christ: most people don't do this . . . But there has probably never been a time in history when the majority of people were seriously seeking Him!

We are not different because our shirts are tucked in or because our hair is cut short or because I don't have my ear ring in or because my tattoo isn't showing. (all rules to live by here at CCS) We are different because of His transforming love. It changes us, makes us think and live differently. It causes us to seek life instead of dabble in things that are dead. I want to seek the life within His love today.

Stop and notice the Kingdom amongst you today,

2 weeks since my last blog

Geez, that's a confession. It is due to the end of summer and the busyness of getting back to school rather than things to talk about. Sorry to many of my loyal readers, with school starting on Monday, I'll be back to my normal structure. I am incredibly unproductive outside of a decent structure.

Last night was the 2nd session of my next NT Survey course that I'm teaching at Indiana Wesleyan and the class is incredibly diverse. We are split between a handful of honest religious skeptics, people somewhere in the middle and a few Christ followers as well. It is fun and challenging to teach. I told my wife the other day that it is so much more fun than much of what I done in past ministry experiences because I am on the edge of trying to communicate the Kingdom to those who just don't buy it. Mostly I just sit back and let Truth handle itself, not just in content but in the Spirit as well.

My daytime teaching gig starts on Monday and besides my year-long NT Survey course there, I am teaching 4 quarter long courses to seniors. The first quarter is on spiritual formation and we will be using the student version of Dallas Willard's "Rennovation of the Heart" (Thanks to Bean Books. Check is in process, Bean :) I am really looking forward to our conversations and personally I'm looking forward to learning with them as well. Its all about transformation into the way we were always destined to be in the Kingdom.

Well, I'm off to have coffee w/ McGillivary. These meetings are my lifeblood. I suppose its the equivalent of an OCC staff meeting.

much love and peace to y'all and I promise to be back w/ more Kingdom goodness,

busy, busy end of summer

Just returned from 6 days of vacation with my family and my brother-in-law's family. We went to my wife's parents' condo on a plantation/lake/country club down in Georgia outside of Atlanta. It was pretty plush and scenic and hot. Lots of pool time with the kids and tubing off the pontoon boat. Good relaxing time sandwiched in between 2 long drives there and back.

Now I'm home for 1 day before I head out of town for the next 3 days camping on Rains' land with Bean and Johnson. We will catch the Father Creech for lunch on Wednesday and brave the extreme heat in KY. I'm sure adventures will follow and there will be stories to be told. The last time we camped, it was 19 degrees, Wednesday is supposed to be 95. We seem to choose the extremes.

Reading Palmer's blog is just stunning. He's making progress physically, spirits seemed to be high but the reality of a $220K medical bill is unbelievable. There is very little I can do to help, with the exception of continued prayer and emotional support. I don't even have a spare $220 right now to give. So I've decided to go back into training for another 1/2 marathon and dedicate that to Palmer again. Running keeps me focused on the fight and gives me time to pray. I will be running with Bean at the Indy 1/2 marathon in October and then will begin my focus on training for the full Flying Pig Marathon in Cincy next Spring. That would be my first marathon and I will use it to raise funds for the Palmers again. When you don't know what to do, I suppose its best to do something. Marathon training is a huge committment, particularly for a dude my size, but it is turning into a calling with a real-life purpose. In the 95 degree heat, I started my training this morning. One phrase fills my mind in the hard times . . . "I'm running for Palmer".

stop and notice the Kingdom amongst you today,

spiritual formation

"We can say, in a preliminary manner, that spiritual formation for the Christian basically refers to the Spirit-driven process of forming the inner world of the human self in such a way that it becomes like the inner being of Christ himself. In what follows we must carefully examine what this means for today. But we can say at the outset that, in the degree to which spiritual formation in Christ is successful, the outer life of the individual becomes a natural expression or outflow of the character and teachings of Jesus." -Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart

One of Ordinary Community's values is Authenticity. What we mean is that we believe that Christ following is basically about transformation. Its not about "going to church", its about becoming the people of God. (going to church may be a means to that end, but its not the whole point) If we want to authentically call ourselves Christ followers, then our life has to look like His. We are to be His apprentices. We must die continually so He might become more alive through us.

I am becoming increasingly more aware of inner parts of me that are not dying well. Why do I clutch so hard to things that are full of death? Why don't I run to the One who offers completeness, wholeness, peace, contentment . . . life?

Nicki and I were doing some pre-marital counseling with a couple I'm marrying this fall and we were discussing "pigitis", or our own selfishness and how it plays out in marriage. Just bringing up the topic causes me to look inward and see my incredibly selfish heart. I have so much dying to do.

Lord forgive me for my pursuit of things that are dead and lead me to the waters that give life. I miss you.

peace,

why is slowing down so hard?

Every year I have lots of goals and objectives for the summer schedule. I have books I want to read, projects I want to write on and time I want to spend in solitude. But rarely do I ever achieve them. My extrovert nature has me running all over the place, meeting lots of people, seeing movies, being productive but not in any sense of solitude. I wonder at times if I run from the intimacy that I so desire w/ the Father? That its just too much and too intense for me. If I sit and take it in, I just want to get up and start doing someting. I want to improve in this area but it requires so much discipline. Will be going camping for 3 days with Glenn Johnson and Bill Bean and I hope that will provide some time for solitude, reflection and big picture thinking.

Running may also help in this area. Am beginning my training for 2 half-marathons, one in September and one in October. These training times make my mind slow down and become disciplined. The physical and the spiritual are intertwined.

Why do I sometimes sabotage what I actually need? Why am I a better talker and thinker than a doer? The conclusion is always the same, I need a Savior. I am not well, my soul is yet sick and needs healing. It wouldn't be just "nice" if I could have some time for Jesus, I am utterly desperate for it. By the way, so are you :) I am feeling a need to commune with Him in some times of intimacy. Why does my heart stray? It just makes no sense.

Jesus, I am desperate for you.

late night blogging

just got back from watching War of the Worlds with the studious Glenn Johnson and not its almost 1:00 a.m. and my mind is thinking. The first thing I do when I'm online is check Palmer's blog for updates and this is what I found tonight:

"Tomorrow morning at 10 am I will be discharged from the hospital and moved to a full time rehabilitation center where I will learn such basic functions as walking, dressing myself, and keeping my head up high in public. The rehab hospital I will be in is Dodd Hall which is only 1 block away from where I am now. The excellence of this hospital is recognized around the country. Unfortunately, it all comes with a price...my treatment will be $2,000 a day and 80% of that needs to be paid up front because of our insurance issues (a total of $16,000). We came up with the initial $6,000 this afternoon. We have another $6,000 due on Friday and $4,000 due next Tuesday. We currently cannot afford to make that second $6,000 payment or the following $4,000. So, once again we need God to directly intervene on our behalf, because I need this rehab in order to walk again and to be able to function in my daily schedule." -Palmer

I have thoughts that I just don't understand. Coming out of the movie, my mind brought me to Psalm 8, "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?" At first I found this poetic, just to sit back and reflect on how Great God is and how small we are. How completely and wholly Other He is, nothing like our feebleness. And yet . . . He cares.

But how does He care? Sometimes I have no freaking clue. Why, why, why, why does Palmer have to suffer? His last 3 years have been suffering and yet he's a servant. And now just to get better, he is faced with bills that are way out of any of our means. Many of us have exhausted our resources to try and raise $ and encourage the Palmers and yet our funds are well short of their need. When I quit vocational ministry, I cut my salary by 66% just for the opportunity to plant missional communities. I'm not the only one, many of us are just getting by financially. So when these kind of needs come, we have very little to pull from. But what about God who has this mysterious way of caring? His table is known to be limitless with resources, yet we toil, struggle and watch our brother suffer.

I know it seems so unspiritual to doubt at times but why does Job 7 exist? "Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul . . . What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention, that you examine him every morning and test him every moment?" Is all of this a test? A cosmic exam to pass? I wonder and I wonder why His caring is so mysterious. I know the ending of Job, I've read it a few times before, I understand its wisdom but its all still mysterious. I know that if you ask God a bunch of questions that you better be ready for some in return like "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" The only way to answer that question is to become quite feeble and small. That isn't the issue, the issue is He said He cares, but why is His caring so mysterious and why must His servant suffer?

Sometimes these questions are poetic and beautiful, and sometimes they just haunt the inside of my soul.

peace to you on this late night,

home again

Its good to be home and with family again. Its time to catch up with friends and share some experiences and get back to normal. Had coffee with Paul McGillivary this morning and those are becoming addicting. We have had hundreds of these kinds of meetings and they could go on for hours. We just speak on Kingdom issues and things we're thinking about, I guess they are our OCC staff meetings and I would be okay with having one daily. Going to a movie with Glenn Johnson today and it will be good to catch up with him as well. Scheduled a lunch with K-Rains next week and am planning a trek to Indy to see the legendary Bill Bean. A monastic camping retreat is also on the calendar for some solitude, reflection and prayer.

I will be blogging on this more but came home to my autographed copy of Jim Henderson's 1st book, "a.k.a. Lost: Discovering ways to connect with the People Jesus Misses Most." Its a book on doable evangelism and I can't wait to sit down and read it. Jim has been hugely influential in my life as God hooked us up back in 1998 when I was in a real fragile place. He mentored me over the next 3-4 years and his ideas were foundational to what Ordinary Community would become. He helped me be myself in ministry and set me up for a new chapter in my ministry life. We met at 7:30 a.m. at Starbucks every friday morning for about 2 years and I remember when he would share his ideas on doable evangelism when they were raw in his heart and now they are in book form for all to read. His take on "ordinary attempts" have changed the way Nicki and I see God's missing children, I think y'all need to read it :)

I have reflected on many things on my journey and my mind is pretty active on a lot of topics right now. Most acutely is the need for me to put some more energy into what apostolic relational networks could look like and be more intentional. I'm also thinking of how to be more intentional about passing on our values, theology and ways of reproducing Kingdom communities to the next generation. What could their training look like in real life? How can we provide a kind of "life on life" training model where the Kingdom is more caught than taught? I'm also wondering about what kinds of new communities could we start up this year. I'm feeling the urge to take some more land as long as that means people finding Jesus to be the center of their reality.

Its good to be home but no rest for the weary. The War rages on.

peace,

back to western culture

we arrived in Frankfurt, Germany this morning and i can say that i was ready for the comforts that the West provides. you realize how spoiled we are when you have to do without. we have a pretty decent hotel with a pool and gives us a comfy place to chill and catch up on sleep.

my last couple days in india went real well. met up with 2 of jim hendersons friends. 1st was jacob isaacs of kerygma coffee house. he is a bro, if i lived there in bangalore, i would make sure to spend a lot of time with him. his ministry philosophy is very kin to mine and he had more a grasp on india and its youth culture than anybody i met there. a very bright guy and i tried to convince him to start blogging cuz many of you need to know him too. Bert cherian was the 2nd guy, another extremely intelligent and passionate thinker. we talked over many topics re: busniness, world affairs, church, transformation issues and the like. really enjoyed my time with him. good to hang out with a couple guys who are not so steeped in traditional church.

now im paying for my internet time in the cafe in downtown frankfurt so thats all for now. catch y all soon.

peace,

India Report # 9

I have now completed the teaching portion of my trip and I am quite relieved. I have taught 41 times in 11 days. It makes me quite tired. At the same time I have been very well received and have gotten numerous invitations to return and teach more. I feel very content that I accomplished what I came here to do. Particularly being able to share the house church model yesterday with about 60 pastors, many of them took it to heart. Some of their eyes were as big as saucers as if I was giving them the cure to cancer. I children I taught as well were very receptive to me. It was the seminary students though that I felt the most connection with feel I made the largest impact. Some of them wanted to make sure how much it meant to them and how many pages of notes they took and will keep to study over. God is good.

I went out again last night on the motorcycle to another village. This time we went into the homes of 2 families that were unbelievers. They are open to learning more about Jesus so I was able to share some stories about Jesus in their home while sitting under the mantle of their Hindu idol whom they worship. If their was any demonic force attached to those idols, I can't think they were very happy. They were very receptive and seemed to listen intently. Then they would bring their children to me that I would bless them. In their culture, this is the role of the Hindu Guru, usually in exchange for $. I prayed over these children in the name of Jesus and then turned and thanked them for the opportunity. May the Holy Spirit use these interactions to draw them into the Kingdom.

I will be meeting with a couple friends of Jim Henderson's tommorrow in Bangalore and then we fly to Germany tommorrow night. This will be my last blog from India as the next one will come from Europe most likely.

Keep Nicki in your prayers today as she is attending to her Grandma's funeral. I so wish I could be there.

peace,

India Report # 8

Had a real good day yesterday. Finally being healthy I feel like a brand new person and have the energy to finish my teaching strong. I had a lot of time yesterday to relax and just have some conversations which was a first in about a week.

SHHHHHHH . . . nobody tell my wife . . . but I rode a motorcycle last night :) The Pastor from the church I spoke at on Sunday took me out on his motorcycle to some villages and do some sight-seeing. We were just exchanging stories and cultures as we zipped past water buffaloes and sheep herders. We got out to take a walk at a scenic area, a dam and water purifying plant. As we were walking along a path he was telling me a story of how a few years back he struck and killed a King Cobra in his house that wandered in. This freaked me out a bit but I didn't let on. I asked him in what areas they live in and he said "all around here, like in bushes like that one" (pointing to one we were just passing). That was more reality than I needed. I just tried to ignore the possibility of meeting a cobra and chose to just find my happy place.

We traveled to villages and met with some new followers of Christ who were the only followers in their village. So we entered their homes, knelt on mats and then they asked me to pray for them, their families, their home and their ministry in that village. This was such an honor. Now when I say home, I mean a mud hut, thatch roof, mud floor and a few electrical wires. Usually 2 rooms, maybe 8 x 8. I have seen this before but it is still shocking and I couldn't help but have memories of visiting Homerama in Cincinnati and walking through the 1-3 million dollar houses. The comparisons are enough to make you lose your lunch. The disproportion of wealth in this world is quite staggering. I don't think we're supposed to live in guilt, but I do think that we have to use our high place of influence to educate for awareness and to do our part in helping. It costs $40 a month to support an orphan here at the house of Joy. That gives them a great shot here to go to college and come back and be a leader in their villae. That's what I call changing the world. My wife and I have supported Compassion International children since college, its the cost of a few pizzas a month. I am wondering outside of educating about poverty what other things God may be leading us to do.

peace,

India Report # 7

It is Monday of our last week and I've noticed that they don't celebrate the 4th of July much over here. No parade, no fireworks scheduled, no hamburgers and hot dogs, no cornhole tournaments . . . I don't get it, where is their Patriotism??? To be fair, in September they do have their own Independence Day where they celebrate their breaking of the ties with England in 1949. What it is about the English that make other countries want to kick them out all the time? (im just kidding to all my friends out there in the UK)

Maybe you could already tell but I'm feeling much better, just about 100%. Fever gone, aches gone, headache gone, stomach nausea gone, stomach issues? Can you say "solid stool sample"? Because as of today, I can!!!! Hallelujah and thank you Jesus. Thank you for all your prayers.

I spoke at a church service yesterday in a village nearby on Psalm 27 "Tasting the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living" (Kingdom Now) There were about 40-50 people, they sit on mats segragated by gender and the children are always a part of the whole service, all 3 hours of it. I love their family style services here, children are a part of the whole community. The bongos were the only instrument used for leading worship and they clapped each song as well, it had a very tribal feel and really spoke to me. There were monkeys climbing the trees outside which was my first sighting of them here for me. They are neighborhood nuisances like Racoons are to us in the states. Afterwards, an elderly gentlemen who spoke no english came to me with a packet of like lotion oil and through much interpretation I realized that he wanted me to pray for the oil to make it a healing balm for his eyes. They have a wives tale in their culture of a great white healer, I guess he thought he'd give me a shot. I prayed over him and the oil in the name of Jesus.

Today I spoke in chapel to the seminary students for the final time on spiritual warfare in ministry. I decided since I was leaving soon that I would let it rip. The students and faculty seemed to appreciate it but they are not used to folk like me. I felt encouraged afterwards as a couple students showed me all the notes they took during my teaching and that they are usually timid and fearful but I had given them a different perspective. If my brashness can get the timid and fearful into this war with us then this trip has been well worth it. That really touched me.

I will be visiting some homes in surrounding villages tonight, tommorrow I will be doing a house church seminar and then my teaching will be pretty much complete. I am trying to arrange to visit a couple friends of Jim Hendersons in Bangalore then on Wednesday evening or Thursday before we fly out and that I'm very much looking forward to.

Stop and taste the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living today,

India Report # 6

What do you do when you are backed against the wall? You draw your sword and start fighting your way out. I have awoken this morning at 5 a.m. with each of my last 3 teachings absolutely living within me. They are longing to come forth. I desire for each one of them to be a lethal blow into the gut of our Enemy. It burdens me to have to suffer physically here and he is the one who brought sickness into this world. It burdens me to be separated from my wife during this time of grieving Grandma Cecil and he is the one who desires death for all of us. It burdens me that Palmer is having to continue to suffer in his healing and that Amy has to continue her long suffering, the enemy dances in our dark nights of the soul.

Well, here I am again. War is at my doorstep and I am suiting up. Today I will speak on the invitation of the Father to a life of intimacy. Tommorrow I will speak to the seminary students on pastoral ministry as spiritual warfare. On Tuesday, I am going to a local village gathering of pastors to plant the infectious virus of small Kingdom communities (house churches). If God allows, I want them to see an alternative model of planting missional small churches that can spread through villages without the limitations of physical space. That meta idea is bigger than any 2 hour counsel I could give but I want to see them set free to love their neighbors and invite their people into the eternal Kingdom Community.

If all goes well, I will visit the Kerygma Coffee House in Bangalore on Wednesday or Thursday. Johnny Baker pointed me to this urban student ministry and it sounds like my flavor of Kingdom. That would be icing on the cake.

Discouragement may have its time, but it doesn't stick to Jesus Followers very well. Sickness passes, heartbreak goes away but I feel filled with Resurrection Life. I walk in the Ways of the Christ who touched the coffin of the widow's dead son and he awoke from the entrapment of death. I walk in the ways of the Christ who disguised himself on Christmas evening as an innocent baby, but in reality was invading our world with the keys and the power of the Eternal Kingdom of God. I walk in the Ways of Christ who walked this earth and had demons cry out for mercy, wanting to be cast into a herd of pigs rather than deal with the Reality of Kindom Come in Him. Where I see the enemy today, I will thrust my sword into his gut and will not relent until he departs squealing like the swine that he is.

peace to you and your house today,

India Report #5

Who is the person who coined the phrase, "when it rains, it pours." whoever it is, that's a wise person.
I spent the day out and about in Bangalore mostly relaxing and shopping with my Mom and Ali. My fever finally full broke in the middle of the day and has left me a case of uncotrollable sweats a few times but the pain has passed. Thank you and thank you for all you praying for me.

Got the email I didn't want tonight, My wife's grandma passed away last night. She had always been someone who was very close to my wife and very close to all of my children. The first time I met Cecil, she welcomed me as her own grandson and I absolutely adored her. I know this seems strange, but she is someone that I always wanted to speak at her funeral because I just have so many honoring things to say. But now I am stuck here, really no way to get out of the country before Thursday and I'm sure they'll make funeral arrangements before then. That just rips my heart out. I mentioned to Ali tonight that it was really hard for me to not be there for Mommy tonight and Ali put her hand on my arm and said, "at least we have each other." Didn't somebody say that unless your a child you can't receive the Kingdom of God or something??

I want to share that one of the last conversations I had with Cecil was in my backyard, sitting in the sun the week before we left. It was just her and I and she pointed to me and said, "Chris, I've lived my life and I've lived a full one. I have no regrets. You go LIVE your life." The emphasis was on "LIVE". I will never forget that and may I be faithful to her charge.

In a touch of irony, I am speaking at a worship service in the morning and my passage was alreday Psalm 123, "The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want". It is a traditional funeral passage so I will use Cecil as an illustration and grieve in my own way in a land far away. This all just feels so eeril similar to how I felt being stuck in the Ukraine 2 years ago when Jennifer Palmer passed and I couldn't be with my brother. Tonight I long to be with my wife and it hurts to be so far away.

Wherever you are tonight, go LIVE your life.

India Report #4

I have spent the past 36 hours wrestling in bed with a pretty bad fever and body aches. Yesterday afternoon, a Dr. here on campus gave me some sample antibiotics and I hope they are doing the trick. Its 3:00 a.m. and I'm awake now due to a splitting headache that I can't shake. I haven't eaten anything in a couple days with the exception of water. Most likely, I am going to cancel my teaching trip as even if I could make the trek, I wouldn't be much of a teacher. My stomach feels so nauseated and I long for some American food. All I want to do is drink and some Gatorade or something of the sort would be real good right now to replenish my electrolytes and give me some sugar.

On a different note, from what I understand since I've been sick in bed, Ali has been keeping students and workers here busy playing Go Fish and Barbie Uno. She doesn't mind being the center of attention (kind of a Marshall thing) and her joy is an international language. She has made great friends with a few of the orphans and they come knocking at her door to play each evening. "Ali, come play now" (insert Indian/British accent). It amazes me how well she has adjusted to being in a foreign land. She hasn't complained about the food and hasn't mentioned any of her comforts in America. She is just going with the flow. That makes me very proud.

peace to wherever you are this day and may your head feel better than mine,

India Report #3

Need prayer, had a real bad night. Throughout my teaching yesterday I started feeling weak and getting the chills. After my last teaching last night, I began coming down w/ a fever. I wrestled all night with aches and pains due to the high fever. In addition, my stomach is very upset and I can't keep food in, so I'm as well feeling dehydrated and weak. The fever has broken for the moment but I still feel very weak. Pray that I can rest well today because I'm scheduled to leave for the weekend to a remote village to do some more teaching. That area will not have any of the comforts that I have here and I cannot eat or drink anything I come into contact with there. So its pretty imperative that I'm well before we depart. I need God to intervene, please pray.

peace to you,

India Report #2

It Wednesday morning here at 11:23 a.m. and I have just completed my 3rd of 6 teachings on the day. Opened up with morning devotions with the school staff, then to a lecture at the seminary on poetic motifs in Scripture then to a 6th grade bible class on Noah. I'm wearing many different hats. The lecture at the seminary went particularly well speaking on the poetic drama in Luke 7 of Jesus' broken heart the widow's dead son and raising him from the dead. The Poetic motif is that it drives home one of the overriding themes in all of God's revelation, that is the fact of Immanuel, God with us. When we know that God is with us, all things become possible. The poetic nature of Immanuel is something we should all breathed in deeply. I also taught the poetic metaphors of wisdom in Proverbs. That God's wisdom is written into the code of the universe and if you live in the Way, you find a life of satisfying blessing.

Ali is doing great, just going with the flow. She amazes me with her spontaneity and questions. The president of the seminary had been observing her since we came and last night after dinner, he turned to me and said, "this girl of yours is quite smart." That I'll have to agree with. She has a sharp mind and seeks to understand. I can only imagine what God has in store for her.

The children here are over the top cute. They wear these British uniforms which clash with their dark skin. They have disciplined manners, very clean and speak with a mix of Indian and British accent. In my last class, a girl with pigtails said, "please sir, sing us a song?" (sounded incredibly like Oliver, "please sir, may I have some more?") I was able to refuse but I'll have to give them a little show next week when I'm with them again.

Many of you must be praying for us because I have a strong dose of the Spirit while teaching. So for that I say thank you and please keep it up.

Blessings and peace unto your day,

India report #1

So its the morning of our 3rd day in India and I'm still jet lagging pretty bad. I did sleep through the night last night thanks to a couple pills of Benadryl. I have a decently comfy living situation, my own room in an appartment, queen bed, clean bathroom and ceiling fan, God is good.
My daughter is showing no signs of culture shock. She has taken everything right in stride. She is teaching pre-K with my Mom in the mornings and enjoys the responsibilities. Thank you to the Minniears for the gifted gameboy, Tetris was our savior on the long flights and has occupied Ali's downtime here in India. That was an outstanding idea!!
Please keep me in prayer as I am teaching 25 times in the next 5 days, not including the weekend trek I'm taking this weekend. I did not know anything that I was teaching until I came, so I'm having to prep. it all on the fly which is not my forte. The perfectionist in me feels unprepared so its a complete reliance on the Holy Spirit. Most of the teaching is Seminary classes and chapels, 40-45 minute talks which I'm pretty out of practice on. With no interaction or discussions, I feel like a fish out of water. I'm trying to find topics that I'm passionate about and would translate well here. We'll see how I do. On Thursday at chapel I'm going to speak on "finding God in the ordinary" and see how that flies.
The biggest culture shock for me is not India but being in a conservative Christian culture. The dress code is relaxed, so that's good, only a tie on Sunday for me and I totally dig the sandal deal. But the seminary is a strongly dispensational, pre-millenial theological school which is my upbringing but a mindset that I have left way behind. It is dominated by teaching theology, and lacks focus on Spirit and relationship. So I will try and bring those elements in a way that they can embrace. At face value, some of the leaders don't take me seriously because I don't pastor a large American church and the name of my church is "Ordinary Community", doesn't exactly fit their value system. So I'm having to incarnate my views of the Kingdom in this mindset, which is a challenge and leaves me feeling like I can't be myself.
I am having great conversations with younger leaders in the seminary though regarding America, consumer church, gospel as industry, church and politics, sexuality and teaching in the church and the role of suffering. Those evening time round table conversations are what I enjoy most. Keep me in prayer, I miss my community very much and long to be back with you.

peace of Christ unto your day and the challenges you may face,

Marsh

Where would I be without community?

I've been feeling a lot of stress about this trip to India in just trying to prepare myself but these past 24 hours have been therapeutic. Spent yesterday morning w/ Doc playing some early Golf and just enjoyed our friendship and our desire to be influencers amongst students. Went to the Reds day game and had dinner w/ Glenn Johnson and that always just encourages me. He challenged some of my thinking and desire to be "in control" as I go and it was exactly what I needed to hear. Just had an early morning coffee meeting w/ Paul McGillivary and that was also just what the doctor ordered. Our talks always get me really fired up but this time it really gave me the perspective I needed to teach from. I feel more prepared to go and release the Kingdom virus to the people God is preparing and to see Him set captives free. I want to share the depths and reality of Kingdom Come to the people of India and encourage them to act out this Story in small communities that live missionally to the people around them. I may not have all the outlines and linear teaching points, but I do know that the Holy Spirit is alive and well in India. If I listen and commune w/ Him then I can unleash the gifts he has planted within me. Thank you Jesus for this opportunity to be a learner and a servant of your Way.

I will miss my family terribly, it is really starting to hit me. I am so glad that Ali will be with me, but I will ache for Nicki, Megan and Zach. 3 weeks is the longest I've ever been gone. To the people of Ordinary Community, please look after my family while I'm gone. Be the arms of Jesus wrapped around them, supporting them, comforting them and providing for them. Ali and I go as representatives of our faith community, proclaiming the Gospel with words and actions. Thank you to Ordinary Community for the support and permission to go.

I have no idea what my access to the internet will be while there. But any opportunity I get, I will update my blog here w/ details and stories of what is happening so check in for updates.

May the peace of Christ go with all of us this day as we proclaim and live in the Kingdom of God.

T minus 4 days

Come Friday morning, my daughter Alison and my Mom and I will be starting a long couple days of aviation to Bangalore, India. Ali and my Mom will be teaching pre-school and ministering to kids at an orphanage there. I will be teaching at some churches, seminary classes, doing a seminar w/ local pastors on house churching and trekking to some remote location for a few days to establish a church plant. I believe I'm going to center the majority of my teaching around the Gospel of Luke, the Kingdom being opened to outsiders. It will be a full couple of weeks, tasting the culture and learning the people. There is much prep-work to do.

This past weekend we had our first Ordinary Community Church camp-out at Hueston Woods near Oxford and it was a blast. Our family camped out there Friday and Saturday night and most of the church folk met us out there on Saturday. We hung at the beach for the majority of the day, grilled out dinner at a picnic grove and broke into some worship under the trees. Later in the evening we headed back to our campsite for a fire, smores and laughter. Life is good lived in community.

Palmer had a successfurl surgery but has a long road of recovery in front of him. I can only imagine how crushed his body must feel. But the God of healing, comfort and recovery is with him. The God who knit him together in his mother's womb is the same one that can put him back together and make him whole again. A healthy Palmer is a constant threat to our Enemy, proclaiming Kingdom and inviting others into the story of becoming the people of God. Heal on my friend.

Stop and notice the Kingdom around you today,

Palmer Watch

Do not relent praying for Palmer today. If all is going well, then he is still in surgery right now and in the process of becoming whole and healed. We need you God, we declare our dependence upon you. Go and heal your suffering servant that your Kingdom may be glorified.

Pray for Palmer, Amy, Micah and Landing Place today.

so . . . the doctor said our son is severely impaired

Nicki and I took Zach to the speech pathologist specialist today w/ Cincinnati Children's hospital and had our suspicions somewhat confirmed. We have noticed more and more that our soon to be 3 year old son is very behind developmentally, particularly in speaking and learning. I was expecting the results to be something like "Zach is behind but its pretty normal and if you just give him some time, he'll be talking your ear off." But what we got is "Zach is severely impaired" and is measuring at the 3-9 month level instead of the 36 month level. So my almost 3 year old has not yet developed to the point of a 1 year old?? Then the doctor began rattling off therapeutic options and special need programs. There was ZERO time to process the 1st statement. Both of Zach's older sisters have been over the top healthy and we've never had to deal with anything out of the normal so this is all new. The Dr. was not able to say why he is so far behind, just describing that he is. Is it developmental and something he'll snap out of with some work? Is it an illness in his brain or chemical make-up? Well, the answer to those questions will come with some further testing. Oh joy. I've had some fears that Zach is showing signs of autism and today didn't help with those fears.

I want to know the facts, I don't want to be naive but it seems the medical industry does not deal with the person, just the diagnosis and the treatment. Its an impersonal industry of #'s and medications. This is just not how I aprroach life so when I come into contact with those values it just leaves me feeling a little bit icky.

There is also a part of me that says your labels don't dictate our future. The victim mentality can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Nicki and I will ultimately decide what is best for Zach and we will do it with all the information and discernment we can get our hands on. In God's Kingdom, the sick can be well, the blind can see, the lame can walk, the mute speak, the prostitutes are forgiven, the captives are set free and the dead live again. So don't flippantly label my son what the @#$% chart says. Talk to me as a person, speak to me on my level, incarnate your gifting into our world, enter into our situation or get out of our way. This world is not our home. We are but aliens and travelers through on a bigger journey. We respect this time and this place but we live in a different reality.

I know that we're supposed to be intimidated by this talk of deficiency, decay and death in this world. I know that we're supposed to fall down and call the scientific worldview our reality. I know that we're supposed to bow before the altar of medical technology and knowledge. I know that doctors are supposed to be our demi-gods. But none of that suits us very much, frankly, we just don't receive it. You see, we are people of the Ressurection and death has lost its sting. That Jesus character has passed on this nasty habit of rising again.

peace to you and your community tonight,

Palmer trek

Went up to Columbus to visit w/ Palmer last night and had a good time hangin' out w/ him before he heads into his next surgery. 64 King just has such a great feel to it, truly a community house. After catching up w/ Amy a bit and getting some travel advice for India, Mark and I headed out to the "Happy Greek" for dinner, good stuff. Mark has lost a lot of weight in all of his battles so it was good to get some tasty dishes that he could pig out on and get some nourishment in him.

We talked over the small picture issues of the situation and the big picture theological/emotional issues at length. Our only true conclusion is that we have no idea how people live outside of an intimate faith community. The good things in life just aren't as fulfilling and the trials would be unbearable without being in the people of God. We ended with some prayer together and I just want to never cease praying for a complete healing.

As I drove home, I admitt that I felt a bit numb. I hate seeing my brother in such pain and discomfort. I want him to be free to be a husband and a Dad and a teacher and a spiritual director. I want things to be different and I'm not sure why they aren't. I don't need to know "why" this is all happening, I just need to know "what the heck you want us to do"????

As I drove, I left fate to the iPod to shuffle the appropriate songs and it kept choosing some prophetic tunes from Beth Wacome Keck and honestly, it was the only thing that could penetrate to where my heart was. Beth's voice and the fact that she is a part of our spiritual family and our story seemed to console me. "I stand Amazed", "if I could be the sand inside your soul" and "I am Rahab" were particularly helpful.

We have to approach all of this like a long-distance runner, just one mile at a time. So I woke this morning and hit the road for a 3 mile run, all the while wondering why these things happen and what we are to do.

peace,

portion of Graduation Address

The seniors asked me to give the commencement address at graduation this past Sunday. Here were a few of my thoughts:

"As you move on, let me remind you of a couple things. Verse 5 says, “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” You are turning a new chapter in your life, you are going into a world that is sometimes cruel, you are going to have new experiences and your going to meet new people. But know this and let me make it abundantly clear . . . YOU ARE NOT ALONE, EVER! You have the ever-present, relentless, pursuing love of God that will never, ever, ever leave you. There are going to come times when you are going to want to drink from that source and let me encourage to draw deep from that well and bring it all the way in. Let it be your substance. In addition to that, you need a community. You need people who are for you in all circumstances. I’ll never forget one of the vows my wife said to me 12 years ago this very day during our wedding. She said, “when the hard times come, I’m not going anywhere” and she has proved that to me time and time again. You need the “not going anywhere” kind of friends, because when you have them, you are truly never alone.

The Lord goes on to say , “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Bible is not an academic subject that you get credit for, within it are the very words of life. If you’ve ever watched a surveyor at work, they are plotting points and making boundaries all based on fixed points. Fixed points don’t move and you can gauge everything else based on it. The words of God are fixed points for living. Gauge your life on them. When you are hungry, it is the kind of bread that doesn’t make you hungry anymore. When you are thirsty, it is the kind of living water that makes you thirst no more. Make His words your center, anchor yourselves in them and you will find prosperity when others have found misery. His words are life for those who want real living.

“So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.” My final words for you are this. There are 2 types of Christians in America. There are some who think our best idea is to hunker down and wait for Jesus to come back. They fear the world and its influence on them. They focus on circling the wagons and creating their own safe sub-culture. This all seems right but I don’t think it’s a Jesus kind of Christianity. It simply is not a big enough idea. He did not call us to fear, he called us to take land. The other type of Christian is one who takes the Incarnation seriously. Who understands that Jesus left the comfort of his Father’s Kingdom for the painful muck and mire of earth for one reason alone, it was the will of the Father. The Father’s will is not for you to merely hang on to your faith, His Kingdom is a faith that hangs onto you. His will is not for you to build a bomb shelter, His will is for you to unleash an invasion. We did not prepare you to hang on, we prepared you to take land. God did not give us a Spirit of timidity, he gave us a Spirit of Power and we need to live in it.

Im wondering if your going to cross that line? Im wondering if you have that kind of courage? Where you see the unloveable, will you love them? Where you see the poor in need, will you help them? Where you see the lonely, will you befriend? Where there is temptation, will you resist? Where you see injustice, will you stand up? When others judge, will you show compassion? When the Enemy is seeking to recruit, will you swear singular allegiance to the King?

15 years ago, I crossed that line. I decided to join the war and my best days are the ones that I pick a fight with the enemy, many of the times on behalf of you. You are no longer my students, but now I’m asking if you would be my partners on this battlefield. I need you, the war is hard and its time for some reinforcements. Graduates of 2005, will you answer the call and fulfill the will of the Father? We are a part of an unshakeable Kingdom and its time to take some more land.

I love you and I bless you to go and walk out of these doors with courage and with power and may the peace of Christ be upon all of your journeys. Amen.

Dogtown and Z-Boys

I just got finished watching a Documentary on the skateboarding craze in Southern Cali in the 70's. Not sure why I watched it, I've never been much of a skater but I couldn't turn it off. The rawness of their craft, their passion for creativity, their complete disregard for status quo, all of that I love. Its punk rock, its subversive, its underground, its primal.

As I continue to get older I am becoming more interested in my own artistic expressions and appreciating others' art. Art to me is and its various expressions is how to live life and not just take up space. The mainstream world is made up of consumerism, mindless loyalty to the "man" and more of the same. This is one of the downsides to suburbia, no individuality. The new strip malls all look the same and are professional at catering to consumer needs, but they lack true personality and culture. Its corporate America and its fascination with big and mega that bugs me as well. Of course I'm a part of the system, I like the comforts they provide but it all lacks style.

I've never had an "art" per se. I've never hung around circles of artists. But I'm finding myself longing to express myself in unique ways so that I know I'm alive and human. Im jealous of Keck and his skills in restoring cars, he's on to something there. I definitely can appreciate his art. Oh to be a Monster Garage artist.

peace,

War on . . . we know no other way

So I've been reflecting on Palmer's situation a bit the past few days and wondering how to respond. At times it seems so overwhelming and that we can't catch a break. At times its hard not to wonder why the valley of the shadow of death has to be so long and so dark.
Then another thought occurs to me. What are the assumptions of the Enemy? I suppose we're just suppose to be intimidated and think woe is me kinda deal. I suppose we're supposed to re-think our Kingdom theologies and that heaven now stuff. I guess its best to not hurt, not empathize the pain, not enter in, not incarnate into our brother's life. I suppose the Enemy should assume that we oughta just pack it up and feel defeated.

Well, how do I say this pastorally? . . . @#$% that!

Tonight was the last of 5 sessions of a New Testament Survey course I teach for Indiana Wesleyan University. Its been a blast to teach. The truths of the Kingdom were just coming to us all waver after wave, week after week. Each night just had such an annointing, the 4 hours of class would fly by. Tonight was our last one and we ended with Revelation. I gave my take on N.T. Wright's idea of the final "unveiling" and a rapture-less consumnation. About how we are participating now in the Creation of the new heaven and new earth already. And that the Kingdom has come and yet is coming.

One of my students is a 45 year old nurse who has grown up in the kingdom hall of jehovah's witnesses but had left that church and been on a spiritual journey. Tonight she shared that it was the Jesus story that she wanted to be a part of. That the Kingdom we were discussing is what she now understands Truth and reality to be. She will take on much persecution for her decision to be a follower of Jesus but she sees no other way. Her journey has been one of struggle, contemplation and passionate pursuit. Its been so much fun to be her Spiritual Director these past few weeks. So tonight she is a new member of the Kingdom community, she is in the story of the people of God both now and forever.

This is what we do. We proclaim Kingdom and let the Spirit draw the hungry to Himself. I don't proclaim Kingdom because I like to disperse knowledge, I do it to get my sword bloody. i do it to confront my enemy, to look him in the eyes and not be intimidated as captives are set free. I know I'm supposed to be wearied and beat down but the way I figure mr. Enemy, you suck. We know no other way but to war on.

Remember the final scene of "Return of the King" when the fellowship turns and runs towards their enemy screaming "for Frodo!!!!" against seemingly insurmountable odds. Well, tonight I took one down for you Palmer. And I'll do it again tommorrow if the opportunity comes my way. We swear singular allegiance to the King.

war on,

back in the land of the living

Got back safely from our senior trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C. and let's just say it was eventful. Mary Ann tried to warn me, and well, she was right. It was Black Bike Week 2005, that means we shared the area w/ 260,000 african american bikers. Our hotel had private security, cops on every floor 24/7, the National Guard had a presence and Federal Agents on the main blvd. It was pretty wild. Nothing like bringing the graduating class of Cincinnati Christian High School right in the middle of modern day Sodom. I couldn't even begin to explain to you the things we saw, it was Epic :)
Had a great time with the students though, great conversations about their passions and their futures. Im pretty stoked about the possibility of a newly birthed house church of some incoming college freshman. This was possibly my best year of teaching and I'm gonna miss these guys pretty badly. I'm giving the commencement address at graduation this coming Sunday so I have to make my thoughts more concise by then.

Exam week at school this week and then I'm done for the summer. Starting to put together some goals for the summer physically, spiritually and professionally. I'm ready to wrap up the year and begin the summer season. Hopefully I'll have time to be more thoughtful on my blog this week.

peace,

Staying up for the Sith Lord

Well I joined the freak show last night by seeing the 12:01 a.m. showing of Star Wars Episode 3 and now am running on fumes and 2 hours of sleep. I was met by Glenn Johnson and a myriad of present and former students of mine, some dressed in costume. A brief review would be that I liked this one MUCH better than the previous 2 that were released. I liked Episode 1 okay, if not just for the effects of the pod races and the epic battle at the end. I HATED Episode 2 for its incredibly poor acting, cheap thrills and the incredibly cheezy lovey dovey crap between Anniken and the queen.

Episode 3 opens with a battle scene that was actually the best scene of the movie in my mind. I was waiting for something like it later in the movie but nothing quite got there for me. Great sabre duels, a much better storyline to follow and much less of the mushy garbage. It was more similar to the original 3 episodes released than the last 2 mainstream ones. It did a good job of leading you right to the beginning of Episode 4 and the original Star Wars. In fact it makes me want to sit down right now and watch the 1977 original.

Oh yeah, and the freak show of people waiting in line in costume was pretty cool too.

peace,

YESSSSSSSSSSSSS!

If you haven't yet, check out Palmer's blog. Then push yourself away from the computer and let out a primal SCREAM! God is good.

i've been thinkin' . . .

There seems to be a difference between positions of authority and power. When one focuses on their position, they believe that their followers and enviornment exist to serve them and there's no real power, just rules and regulations to keep everybody in line. Then there are those who believe they exist to serve their community, become deeply connected with their followers and thus exhibit real power for change and transformation.

Jesus seemed to prefer leading without a title, with the exception of "Son of Man". He knew how to connect with people and in turn they gave him "permission" to lead them. I call that "permission leadership" and frankly for those of you doing the missional community gig, its all you got. You have no position of authority, but if you love the people, if you serve them, if you cry out to God on behalf of them, if you confront the Enemy with some conviction, they may give you permission to lead them and the community.

"If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care - then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand." -Philippians 2 (The Message)

As people of the Kingdom, we do not seek positions of authority on this present earth. No, we lead from the back of the line. We seek to become irrelevant so that we can finally love our neighbor. And as we seek to serve first, we partner w/ God in his Creation of a new Heaven and a new Earth. It is coming and we are a part of that process. So come Lord Jesus in our servanthood today, come and teach us how to become irrelevant and thus truly powerful. Then every moment becomes pregant with the possibility of Kingdom Come.

peace,

I can see the light at the end of the tunnell

Nothing personal about the blog hiatus but I've been consumned with many things.

1) Praying for Palmer. He is having no fun, in quite a bit of pain. We trust in you, Lord.
2) I have one last week of teaching for the 2004-05 school year plus exams, let's get this party started.
3) I will be chaperoning the senior trip to Myrtle Beach, S.C. next week. I guess you can call it a business trip.
4) Had a great time at our denominational annual conference in Cleveland on Friday. Yes, you read that right, my wife and I had a great time. It wasn't without moments of cringing and shuddering. But for the most part we belong to a healthy, diverse spiritual family that supports us and seek to understand our paradigm. I got a chance to teach a seminar on challenges/opportunities of the emerging culture which went over well. I don't apologize for being part of a denomination.
5) 2 great bbq's this weekend at our house. I grilled for 50-60 people the past couple of days, my famous tyriaki burgers. Great time and always great conversation around the fire in the backyard, plus mixing in some iPod tunes.
6) My N.T. Survey course that I'm teaching for Indiana Wesleyan University on Wednesday evenings is approaching its 3rd week of 5. This class has been a blast. The small group of nurses are completely enveloped in the story of the NT and make teaching it a complete joy. They are taking it as an elective to their Masters program and our conversations have been annointed. The 4 hours of class seem to fly by. This is part of the beauty of education, particularly when the learners are motivated.
7) Preparing for summer break. Need to get my India/Germany trip together.
8) Mulling over the commencement address for graduation this year. I'm sure I'll change it 6 more times between now and June 5.

Come June 3, I'll be finished with my day job for awhile and be reminded of the 3 best reasons to be a teacher: 1) June 2) July & 3) August. : )

peace,

It's Prom Night

Tonight, my wife and I are chaperoning our school's junior/senior prom. Of course we are at a Christian school so there will be no dancing, rather its a banquet with some entertainment. Prom always brings back memories for me because 14 years ago, I rushed to ask a certain girl to my senior prom because I knew that she was going to be asked by another dude that night. I wasn't one to sit back, and thankfully she agreed to go w/ me. In fact she went to another school and her prom was the same night so we agreed to go to both of our proms on the same night. She looked amazing on prom night, we had a blast and 2 years later we got married :) I told my students to be careful who they are going with because you never know how permanent that date may be.

Palmer's surgery seemed to go well, check out his blog for an update. In fact he managed to get a 2 for 1 special. As they were removing the tumor they noticed his appendix was huge, so they removed that as well. He's 1/2 the Palmer he used to be, physically speaking.

peace to your weekend,

Palmer needs our prayers today

As of 10 a.m., Palmer will be in surgery to remove the tumor and do some repair work. Abba Father, go and be w/ Palmer this morning. May your Kingdom be near to him and may the hands of the surgeon be your hands. Holy Spirit we trust in you.

I'm not afraid to admitt that I'm still recovering from the run last Sunday. The soreness is gone but the fatigue remains. I'm looking forward to gettting back to my training this weekend as I plan to run 2 more 1/2 marathons in the Fall.

I started teaching a college night course last night of New Testament Survey for Indiana Wesleyan University satelite campus here in Cincy. Its a class of nurses taking an elective course to gain credits towards their masters in nursing. There are only 4 of them, one is a Jehovah's Witness, 2 have left the Church and one is pretty connected to Christ. It was so much fun discussing the background to the story of the NT because they were so engaged. We ended the night reading through the Sermon on the Mount and making life applications. They were reading it for the 1st time and just soaking it in and feeling the tension of these hard teachings. It made for a long day of teaching but its these moments of why I teach.

Stop and notice the Kingdom amongst you today,

Flying Pig completed

The race is over and the time I was shooting for was 2 hrs. 30 min., instead I ran 2:25. I felt strong from the get go, feeling the prayers and encouragement of all of you. The Cincinnati Enquirer did their story of Palmer and I today and it gave me all the inspiration I needed to get it done. Heres the link Article I'm off now to take a nap.

peace,

Game face is on

Got my race bag packed and my clothes laid out, its time to get a few hours rest because the 4:15 a.m. alarm will come soon. I feel as ready as I can be. I have never completed 13 miles so I'm looking forward to accomplishing this distance for the 1st time. There are a lot of hills and 7 thousand other runners which is intimidating, but it will be sunrise in some of the most scenic parts of the Nati so that part I'm looking forward to. Palmer and Amy will be at the finish line and it will be pretty sweet to see them there.

I wanted to thank all of you for your prayers and financial support of this run. Your encouragement is much appreciated. I have a sign on the back of my shirt that says "I'm running for Palmer . . . Not Alone". I am running on behalf of all of you that take our Kingdom kind of community seriously. Much love and Godspeed.

peace,

Reading for Palmer

And the River keeps flowing. Check out Doulos Christou books for another great way to support Palmer and get some amazing books at the same time. I'm definitely getting in on some of these. Check the link if you love books and love Palmer.

peace,

I'm back . . .

The more I ate yesterday, the better I started to feel. Then as I awoke this morning, all feels well, 100%. Talked to Palmer last night and found out that him and Amy are planning on attending the race and will be at the finish line, that's all the motivation I need. So I am no longer feeling trepidation or fear about the hills on this race, rather I say "bring those bad boyz on!" Had the Ipod shuffling going in my truck this morning and as I pulled into the school parking lot the Rocky Theme song came on . . . . I am back and ready to run.

The donations continue to pour in, it seems that the Cincinnati Enquirer story may run on the front page and the Kingdom continues to come amongst us.

peace,

In the land of the half-living

What's better than 2 days of stomach flu? 4 days of stomach flu. It completely knocked me down and I am back to work today working at about 50% capacity. My strength is drained, my head is somewhere in a deep haze and my body temperature changes every 10 minutes. Other than that, its good to be back :)

I'm a little blown away at the generosity of those who are giving to Palmer's need. We are receiving donations from all over the world from people who mostly have never met him but have been moved by his situation. Some of you have given even though you had nothing to give. I got to school today after I was out the past couple days and found a coffee can full of change and cash that my students have been passing around to do their part. The Kingdom rolls on.

I have 4 days now to try and recover strength, stamina and lots of water.

peace,

T minus one week

Its one week until the big race and how did I prepare myself this weekend? I have spent 2 days on the couch dealing w/ a nasty stomach flu. I am not having any fun and won't be at school tommorrow either, one more day and hopefully I'll be back at it.

In trying to raise awareness for Palmer's need, the Cincinnat Enquirer has decided to do an article of me running for Palmer. Its supposed to run in the paper next Saturday, the day before the race. They are coming to take some photos this week. I think they find it a compelling human story. Just wanting to see if we can do all we can to raise some funds cuz Palmer needs a Kingdom break. As well, kids from our house church are collecting pledges for their own walk-a-thon for Palmer. They are really excited about it and want to contribute.

Jesus, we depend on you, we have no other.

peace,

Running for Palmer . . . Not Alone

Come 6:30 a.m. on May 1. I will be running for Palmer so that he knows that he is not alone. I will run the 1/2 marathon of the Flying Pig in Cincinnati with a sign that says exactly that. And I am raising support donations for Palmer because of his condition and treatments, he will have medical bills in excess of $75K and his insurance will not cover it. Most of you know his story and it is just more and more testing of our fortitude. I will run 13.1 miles and pray for his healing. Please consider helping us out with a financial gift. We will be posting a paypal opportunity that is set aside specifically for his medical bills. More information will be coming.

Running for Palmer . . . Not Alone.

Where are the streets of gold?

I've been reflecting a lot lately on the realities of life after death and the nature of that passage. In my senior Bible courses we've discussed how Heaven is not so much a place of gold where we go someday but a state of being in perfect communion with God. And that hell is less of a place of flaming flesh but an agonizing state of alienation from God and one another, in this state God gives us over to our sinful selves who have chosen death over Him.

Its become abundantly clear to me that if you take intimate relationship with the Creator out of the construct of our theology of Him then we are left with lifeless religion or vain superstitions. "Now this is eternal life: that they may KNOW you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:3). Its not about hanging on til Jesus comes back, its not about living in consumeristic idol worship til we go to the "by and by" someday, its about intimacy with Him. He knows us and has made Himself known to us. He invites us to come to Him, He invites us to His table . . . not later but NOW. Now is the KNOWING.

I believe that the "later" part that is yet to come after this life is the completeness of what we now experience. Then is fullness, now is glimpses. Then we'll see clearly, now we see dimly. But now we see better day by day as we are in relationship w/ Him. His Kingdom is accessed through this relationship, I don't believe there are any other gates. I want to taste it today and long for its completeness.

I'm walking on streets of gold already in Him.

Please pray for my bro, Palmer. Abba, we need you.

peace,

Somebody start shoutin'

My drive to work is sometimes just plain dangerous. Some mornings it just all hits me. All of it. That I am a child of a God who stands outside of time and space and all the while pursues me with an intimacy that makes life worth living. That He is completely and Holy "other". I get overwhelmed w/ Grace, I get overwhelmed w/ the unfettered power of God, I get overwhelmed w/ His manifest presence . . . I get overwhelmed in my senses as a mortal in the presence of Eternal and Almighty.

It all makes me just start shoutin'! I cry, I weep, I am vulnerable before Him. He is my all. I don't have eloquent things to say in that time with the exception of "thank you, thank you, thank you". He is everything and He is enough.

I want the unadulterated power and presence of Christ to spill over into my students today. I want burning coals for their lips. I want burning coals for the places that ail them. I want Truth to divide hearts like a sword. I want deliverance of the Enemy from their lives.

Enemy, yes, once again I have felt your presence and now I can see your eyes. I don't fear you. You don't move me. I won't shut up. I won't be silent. I will not give up. I am not alone. I oppose you and I will get my orders today to disrupt your plans. The mountains tremble with a whisper from the King this morning, and I am all ears.

its time for the saints to start shoutin'

peace,

En Fuego

Sometimes it seems that I have to be really still, disciplined and attentive to notice the Kingdom around me. That has nothing to do with the Kingdom, but rather just my distracted heart, restless spirit and the pursuit of my fleshly desires. All of that affects my vision.

Then there are times that I seem to be in presently. The Kingdom seems to be stoked around me where the heat is warming my days. Opportunities to proclaim that Kingdom Come seem to be following my brother-in-law's healing. There is a stirring to start a couple new house churches designed around specific life stages with make-up of these groups being Kingdom outsiders or those considering walking away from Christianity. Well, that demographic group happens to be my passion area and isn't it like God to match up our giftings with opportunities for Him to work.

We go through seasons in life. Seasons of sowing and seasons of reaping. OCC appears to be on the brink of a season of reaping. In the words of Jamie Minniear from my house church, "Let's get a little freaky with this God thing". Let's heal marriages, let's heal broken bodies, let's mend bruised souls, let's worship w/ primal urgency, let's teach w/ prophetic insight, let's reach out w/ extravagant love, let's pray unceasingly, let's proclaim hope in dark places, let's invite others into our communities, let's re-introduce the missing back to their Father, let's stick a sword right up the hind end of the enemy wherever we find him and his schemes, let's not stop until the final consumnation of all things.

Lord Jesus, may your Kingdom keep on coming on earth as it is in heaven.

peace,

Training report

I have re-started another 12 weeks of Body for Life, but a bit modified from the more stringent first 12 weeks.

In preparation for the 1/2 Marathon on May 1, yesterday I completed 11 1/2 miles in 80 degree heat. I'm quite a bit on the sore and tender side today but am encouraged that I recovered from my "dead legs" period last week that I didn't think would end.

Had an amazing bbq on saturday night to celebrate my brother in law's healing and a chance to break out my new 60,000 BTU 5 burner stainless steel grill that is a monstrosity of manliness. I'm looking forward to bonding w/ that thing all summer long. So many good friends. I played 80's new wave "name that band" w/ my ipod around the fire which was fun and Paul Mcgillivary was the last to leave around 1 a.m. after much good Kingdom conversation. I love this stuff.

peace,

Turning to the positive

Really, really good insights from y'all out there on evangelism and the Church. There is no question that we sometimes narrow it down to a sales pitch of information only, and that as Barry points out re: Phil 1, even in bad attempts at least Christ is preached. And the reason I bring it up and want to continue this theme is that I do believe mission to be central to what the Church is about. We exist not just for personal transformation, but that the transformation into Christ's likeness drives us to draw others into this relationship w/ the God who created us. For my ministry context, I refer to what I do as planting "Missional Communities". They aren't just communities for community sake, they are on a mission, its one of our non-negotiables.

So let me share with you today at least one way that I see as effective evangelism and its one that we often don't consider. Its what John Wimber called "Power Evangelism" and if you read Eric Keck's blog, he is often posting profoundly on the subject. Displays of God's unparalleled power on earth draw people into having to consider what it is that they have seen with their own eyes. The Gospels and Acts are chock full of signs and wonders and people being drawn into the Kingdom as a result.

For example, this week at Liberty House Church we were reading from Matthew 9 and it starts w/ a story of friends bringing a parapalegic to Jesus in front of the Pharisees and he forgives the man and heals him which creates a stir. Then the narrative flows seamlessly to Jesus calling Matthew to "follow Me", undoubtedly one of the witnesses to thise event. And then Jesus is in Matthew's house eating with other sinners and is criticized again for being a friend of sinners. Jesus responds with "who needs a doctor, the sick or the well?" My point is that the narrative leads from a sign of healing (power) straight to mission, Jesus drawing others into His Kingdom. Being a conduit of God's power on earth can be a converting experience for those looking on and seeking truth.

My brother in law, Rob,last week was diagnosed with kidney cancer so severe that they were going to remove one of his kidneys today. As a church and as a family, we decided to fight this diagnosis. In the meantime, Rob found out that his unbelieving employees decided to pray for him and his healing as well because they wanted the best for him even though they are not sure God exists. As well, Rob has been a long time studly beach volleyball athlete with many friends from that context in the area. Most of them living a liftestyle outside the Kingdom. So they are watching too. Rob played what he thought would be his last tournament on Saturday for a while and many of this crowd came to watch. Rob won the tournament and let them know that its always possible that God would heal him. So the church prayed and unbelievers prayed. On Monday, Rob gets the call. The doctors want to make a complete change to their diagnosis with no explanation. What they were so sure they saw has somehow changed with a new catscan. No cancer, no tumor, rather just a shrinking cyst. Either the doctors were incompetent last week, or God showed up in POWER. But he showed up in POWER with non-followers watching and participating in a Kingdom Now experience. Rob's now having a lot of fun having these conversations with his friends and employees about whether God exists and answers prayers. On Saturday night, we're throwing a BBQ at our house and inviting all involved to come and celebrate what God has done.

God is not afraid to use our suffering for mission and his ultimate Glory. When God shows up in POWER, all of His creation is drawn to Him as the source of all things. And its just fun for us to be a part of the process.

Stop and Notice the Kingdom amongst you today,

Do we care?

I'm taking a couple weeks to discuss the topic of evangelism with Senior Bible students. We have been watching "Off the Map" interviews where we recorded word on the street videos and interviews w/ lost people in live events to encourage feedback and discussion. Let's just say that the news isn't good. The word on the street is that we suck at Evangelism. Our only category for inviting others into the Kingdom experience is through linear historical information, guilt and one-sided monologues. We need to change what we count. Focus more on relationships and conversations than our sales pitch. It seems to me that Jesus lived Kingdom, proclaimed Kingdom, shared Kingdom and invited others to follow Him in Kingdom living w/ out ever having to tell them how wrong they are.
Not to be only negative, because I think that being missional is the heartbeat of the Church. But here is my bottom line. Our ineptness w/ evangelism is not because of bad strategies, faulty approaches or lack of information. Our failures start in the heart. Frankly, we don't care. We're more concerned w/ our own agendas, lives and frivolous pursuits than to take the time to ache over those outside of Kingdom. The issue is not technique, its that we don't care. We don't like confrontation, we dont' like being vulnerable, we don't like risk, we resist discomfort.
In Matthew 9, Jesus saw the crowd and had compassion on them. Its starts w/ noticing that they exist, and then allowing that to enter your soul. Let compassion mull over in your heart, long for those outside of the Kingdom. Think incarnationally where you take on the risk and the vulnerability like Christ carrying a cross. Evangelism starts in the heart, but do we really care?

peace,