Rhythm: Part II - Drum Line

So last time we looked at Mary's heartbeat.  Today we're examining a drumline.  And no, I'm not talking about The Little Drummer Boy.

Now, I'm no music theorist or even someone who can tell you if someone sung a wrong note.  My ears and mind don't work that way.  But there is something in the idea of a drumline that we as disciples can relate to.

Mary's heartbeat was just that.  Mary's.  God gave her her own song to sing, her own path to follow.  That is between her and God.  Just like each of us.  We all have our own beat to listen to.  But the drumline represents many of us.  Many heartbeats, together for Jesus.

Kinda like the shepherds in Luke 2.

These fellows did two things that I think we can all ponder in our hearts like Mary did.

These guys were living out in the fields.  With their sheep.  It's just the way things were.  These guys were probably a good bit rougher around the edges than the disciples.  Real 'salt of the earth' if you will.  And these were the first people that God revealed his son to.

Look at most of the stories in the Bible involving angles or messengers of God.  They are usually meeting with leaders, or important folk.  The whole story of Jesus, from beginning to end turns things that are 'normal' or traditional on their prim and fluffy heads.  Other than Mary and Joseph, who gets to be the first to know that the Savior is born, and given directions on where to find him?

The dirty, smelly, salty, fringe of society shepherds.  Most readers out there wouldn't want these guys in your house let alone around your literally new born child.  Let me tell you this, Mary didn't have a bottle of Purell in her robes.

Back to the shepherds themselves.  Here is the scene:

It's night.  Probably pretty dark by now.  You and your shepherding pals are maybe around a fire, one of you is keeping watch out past the flock who are all huddled together.  A wild dog barks in the distance.  A normal night.  Stars in the sky shinning down like always.  When suddenly, you're all surrounded by light and there is a strange figure among you.  He starts talking.  You're freaking out and miss what he is saying,

"...good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

You start to wrap your mind around this, when even more alarmingly there is a whole 'great company' of messengers poof into view with the angel and declare praises to God,

"Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Then they vanish and go back to heaven.

I imagine the shepherds siting there blinking at each other wondering who was going to ask if the others saw what they just saw and risk being thought of as the next "Crazy Willie," of the herding community.  Then after a few moments of deafening silence, they all start to talk at once.  "We have to go!  Let us see what the Lord has done!"

And off they go.  Maybe Crazy Willie was left to watch the sheep.  Maybe they left the sheep there alone.  Or, maybe the sheep went right along with them.  Who knows.  But the shepherds booked it into town.  Their feet running or rambling along the paths.

That is the drumline.

The feet of the hungry running toward what God has done.  When was the last time you ran to meet God?  Or are you more accustomed to that slow, somber walk down to an alter?  Maybe into a confessional.  Or just meeting up with a mentor to talk over coffee.  Run to him.  Let you heart race as your feet pound the earth to see what he is doing.  Be excited about God!

I know it's been a while for me.  And that's no one's fault but my own.  But I'm getting back on my feet and starting to run now.  Cause God is working.  He is always working and moving, and doing and surprising us.  We just forget to be amazed by it.

What are you hungry for?  Will you run to him?  Will you let you feet beat out a drumline as you flock to what he is doing?

I hope so.  I'll see you there.


grace, peace + hope-Jesse

Rhythm: Part 1 - Heartbeat

There is a lot of discord in the world today.  Just look at the news.  If you're like me you don't even have to look that far.  You can just look at your own life.  I know mine is full of ups and downs that are primarily of my own making.

Mainly because I loose my rhythm.

Not that I am a musical person at all.  It takes all my effort to keep clapping at the right time.  But I'm talking about internally.  The thing that moves me as a person and as a disciple of Jesus.

My heartbeat.

Rather, the heartbeat of Jesus.  Does my heart beat for the same things as his?  Sometimes.  Hence, discord.  That can apply individually, and to the church at large.  Sometimes we focus on the wrong things.  How big or small something is.  How things or people are dressed.  The things that don't matter.  Before we get into all that, let's look at some heart facts:

-The heart is a muscle, a pump.  It moves blood throughout your body to give oxygen and nutrients to the millions of cells that make us...us.

-The heart never rests.  From the moment it starts beating until the moment you die, it never stops.

-Did you know that a heart "at rest" works twice as hard as leg muscles in someone who is sprinting.

-The average Human heart beat is 70 bpm and weights a little less than a pound

-A dog: 60-160 bpm

-A cat: 110-240 bpm

-A mouse: 500-600bpm

-An elephant: 30bpm weighs about 40-60 lbs

-A blue whale: 9 bpm and weighs half a ton, 1,000 lbs

Okay, what does that have to do with anything?  Well, I'm getting there.  Take a moment and feel your heart beat.  Put your hand on your chest and feel that muscle work.  Heartbeat.  It's the sound that lets us know we're still alive.  It slows down when we're calm, and races when we are afraid or excited.  But there is a different kind of heartbeat.  Not the actual muscle heartbeat, but the heartbeat of our spirit.  The driving force to how we act and respond to things.

Go read the account of Mary being told she will become the mother of Jesus.  Here's a link: Luke 1:26-38.

The thing I love about all this is Mary's response.  "May it be to me as you have said."  She believed.  She took the messenger of the Lord at his word and believed.  And she obeyed.  Then she goes to her cousins house.  And do you know what happened next?

She worships.  She sings this song glorifying God.  It gets pretty intense too.  It's not just this sweet little happy song.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

What does your heartbeat sing?  Take some time over the next few days and be still.  Put your hand on your heart and listen.  Listen to what your soul wants to sing about God, about Jesus.  What he has done.  Let that heartbeat set a rhythm in your spirit.

        Love God.
                Love neighbors.
                        Act justly.
                                Love mercy.

grace, peace + hope
-Jesse

Every. Single. Day.

Can I be completely honest with you?

Yes?  Thanks.  Here goes...

I'm tired. Tired of the struggles of this life.  Primarily the one I fight with myself.  It's been a rough couple months internally.  I've been fighting the desires of my flesh, those needy selfish pointless things that result in nothing good.

I get angry with myself, and it just spirals and becomes a vicious circle.  Sound familiar to anyone?  I catch myself getting grumpier and more irritable.  Quickly I become very self-centered and avoid any challenge to that concept.  I stew.  And I close my ears.

And I don't listen for God to speak to me.  To remind me of things I know in my heart.

Then, like yesterday, there will be a break in the internal storm, and the light will shine through.  And humble me to my knees.  That break can take many forms.  A word from a friend, a song, a view of the mountains...and I hear what God has been constantly saying through the whole bit of self chaos.

"Get over yourself.  Love your God with all your heart.  And your neighbor.  Every.  Single.  Day."

Anyone else?  You get so caught up in daily life, yourself, your family, and you loose sight of God.  But he wants us to put him first every day.  Not Sunday.  Not Wednesday night, or when ever your group meets.  Not when you feel like it, not when you want to.

Every.  Single.  Day.

This is not me making things up.  This is straight from the mouth of Jesus.  Look up Luke 9.

Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

 This is something I'm saying as much to myself as I am anyone else.  Being a follower of Jesus, a student, a disciple of his, means to deny yourself daily.  This isn't meant to be some directive to punish yourself or anything like that.  It is, simply put, shifting the focus of your life from yourself to Jesus.

Easier said than done.  Trust me I know.  But this is me, and M28, encouraging you to do just that.  There is no secret.  No formula on how to do this.  All I can suggest is what has worked for me in the past, and what I'm implementing moving forward.  Spend time with Jesus.  Pray.  Read the Word.  Meditate on the scriptures.  Or find what draws you to him.

Another thing is do follow the commands he gave us.  Three huge ones are:
        1)  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and all your mind and with all your strength.
        2)  Love your neighbor as yourself.
        3)  Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

That pretty much takes care of everyone on the planet.  The last two are fairly easy to figure out.  But how do you show love to God?  I know I reference this scripture often on this blog, but it seems that important to be repeated.  Matthew 25:

‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

and

The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

 This isn't stuff you need credentials for.  You don't even need a high school diploma for this stuff.  Feed the hungry.  Give drink to the thirsty.  Welcome strangers.  Clothe those without.  Care for the sick.  Visit those in prison.  There are people in need all around you.  Maybe on your block or in your apartment building.  Maybe it will take a bit of a drive.  But they are there.  Waiting.  Waiting for you.  Waiting for Jesus.

Every.  Single.  Day.

I say all these things because I need to hear them.  And because I want to challenge and encourage you as well.  You don't need dynamite or a backhoe to move mountains and tear down walls.  Try a smile.  Patience.  Kindness.  Put others before yourself.  Family.  Friends.  Strangers.  See what happens.

Do it today.  Do it now.

grace, peace & hope
-Jesse

The Seinfeld Opposition - by Sam

Reflections from SAM

In recovery, one of the topics that I hear over and over again is the need for change.
Change your thinking. Change your friends. Change your life. Change your attitude.
The definition of change is to make the form, nature, content, or future course of
something different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone.

As a person in recovery, I have a good idea of what would happen if I didn’t make a
decision to change on a daily basis. If I do what I always did, I would immediately
fall back into my old habits and addictions. This is the definition of insanity—doing
the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

The hard part about change is it causes discomfort and takes work—two things that
don’t come easy to me.

When I first became sober, I knew that I had to change but didn’t know where to
begin. My best thinking got me a bed here (at Salvation Army) and if I wanted to
stay, I had to change not just some things but almost everything. I felt like George
Costanza in the Seinfeld episode “The Opposite.”

In this episode, George is lamenting that his entire life has gone wrong. He says, “My
life has gone opposite of what I would like it to be. Every instinct I have in every
aspect of life has been wrong.” He says. “I always order tuna on toast with cole slaw
and a cup of coffee but nothing has worked with tuna on toast. I should try chicken
salad on rye, untoasted with a side of potato salad and a cup of tea.”

Just then, Elaine notices a woman looking at George and suggests he do something
different and go talk to her. But George says, “Elaine, bald men with no job and
no money who live with their parents, do not go up to strange women and start a
conversation.”

Jerry intercedes, “Here’s your chance to do the opposite. Instead of tuna salad on
toast and being intimidated by a woman, order chicken salad untoasted and go right
up to her. If every instinct you have is wrong, try doing the opposite, right?”

So, he begrudgingly does. “Excuse me, my name is George, I’m unemployed and live
with my parents.” To George’s surprise the woman says, “Hi, I’m Victoria” and a
conversation ensues.

Seriously, this is how I felt.

Last year, I was five months sober and called my sponsor to say, “I thought this
change would be easier as I go along. I’m five months clean why is this getting
harder?” He simply replied, “I’ve been sober 14 years and still trying to change.
There is no finish line here. Change is a constant process and to remember you are
either moving closer to a drink or drug or you are moving farther away.

I like what Will Rogers said, “You might be on the right track but you will just get
run over if you just sit there.” This is life in recovery. In order to change our lives,
we first have to change our thinking. Sometimes, I have to think about what I’m
thinking about and do the opposite. Am I dwelling on negativity, self-pity, other
people’s opinions of me, or am I meditating on what God says about me—sober,
creative, talented, well-able, can change, will change?

I like the way the apostle Paul wrote the Ephesian believers, “…put off your old self,
which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;…. and put on the new self, created
to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

The only mistake you can make today is to give up on making change.

Faith - God's GPS

And we're back from Thanksgiving break.  Hope you all had a good holiday!  Today we have some more words from Cumberland County Prison...

Inmate Insights from "Donnie"

Above all things, Jesus should be our main focus, even during the storm of life when trials come our
way. The book of Matthew chapter 14 illustrates a complete understanding of when Jesus walked on
water and one of his disciples, Peter, was bold and stepped out on faith despite the raging storms that
surrounded him. Jesus gave peter basic instructions to keep his focus on him, but as he continued he
took his eye off of Jesus and began worrying about the water under him as well as the storm and began
to sink. As he began to sink he cried out to Jesus “save me” and Jesus saved him. Jesus then asked
Peter, “Why do you doubt and have little faith?”

In clear understanding this story represents the trails of life of a believer when things try and get in the
way or distract us from following Jesus but we must endure and always remember who he is and what
he can do for us in our everyday life if we walk accordingly to his specific instructions that he gives us
through the Bible.

One thing that prevents us as believers is the temptation of Satan and his evil angels. They want to
pervert the word of God through lack of knowledge and understanding. Our flesh is attracted to things
that aren’t of God and can lead us down the wrong broad path to eternal damnation. Jesus gives us a
way out in every aspect to resist the temptation by the renewing of your mind found in Romans 12:2.
We must resist the old self once made a new creation through baptism of the Holy Spirit, so that it
becomes our guideline, or guidance to be more like Christ and to no longer be conformed to this worldly
way of living out life.

The Holy Spirit interacts as a navigational system found in motor vehicles, trucks, etc. towards God but as we veer off the pathway of righteousness, God gives us an alternate route, but it still leads us to salvation through disappointments as well as trials to eventually get the hand of it. We then began to understand what road or things will lead us to our destination (Christ) or to take another route which will get you lost, and without the Holy Spirit dwelling inside you life’s temptations will leave you lost fulfilling nothing other than things of the flesh that will eventually pass away. So put God first above all things and let the Holy Spirit direct your path.

I once heard a story of a guy, while incarcerated, who encountered negative feedback from people
2 months before his release date. He wondered why, but little did he know Satan seen that God was
about to use this man later on in life through Prison Ministry and as a ex-con, how you would listen more
to people who have endured the same pain as you behind bars. Today, let God use you through your
rough experiences in life to bring more backsliders or non believers back to Christ through being an
example of trusting Jesus to give Glory to God.


--
grace, peace + hope-Jesse

Do You Believe in Jesus? Part II

"Reflections from Recovery" written by "Sam"


Being a human I always want more proof, scientific proof that Jesus was here and he

existed.  I can't see the wind but it makes me cold when I smoke.  I can't see my brain but I know it is there and sometimes it's working.  I read countless books on the subject of Jesus.  He fascinates me.  The Bible prophecies that were written hundreds of years before Jesus was born, came true.  Our whole calendar is based on one man's life.  BC- before Christ and AD-Anno Domini (not after death, Jesus died around 30 to 33 ad) translated - In the year of the Lord.  What influence.

10 of the 12 disciples were crucified or stoned or executed for there belief as well.  Why would they do that?  I look at people who are living a Christian life then and now and that helps me believe.

The tact for me is it’s not a matter of further evidence. I have all the evidence I need.  It's a matter of the heart. Do I want to trust God and humbly receive the gifts he offers, or do I insist on proving myself good enough and doing it my way?

I also came to this conclusion.  I didn't half step my drinking or drugging.  I was all in or I wasn't.  So, I'm not going to be half a Christian either.

When I read the Bible, the thing that stands out to me is when Jesus shows his human side the most because I can relate to it.  I can't relate to turning water into wine or raising people from the dead or healing the blind.  But I can relate when He is tempted by the devil in the wilderness.  Or, like when he cries out to God in John Chapter 12, “My soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray Father, save me from this hour but this is the very reason I came. Father bring glory to your name.”  I have felt a similar anguish though for different reasons.

If you don't agree with anything I said - that's ok - nobody gets God by having a Bible crammed down there throat.

In my first month here I probably never even really mentioned the name JESUS besides in prayer. I found that if I just believe and act upon that belief that my spirituality grows.

I know for me it was hard to sing Christian songs out loud at first because I guess I wanted people to think that I'm tough which is funny because everyone knows I'm soft.

All I'm saying here is open your mind and try something different.

Believe it or not - this works.  Really, what do you have to lose?



grace, peace + hope-Jesse

Do You Believe in Jesus?

Reflections from Recovery
-written by "Sam"

"Do You Believe in Jesus" Part I

This devotion is from my perspective and my experience.  It is based on a devotion I did at a Christian based recovery program at a Salvation Army Rehab Center.  My job was not to preach but to inspire others to go deeper in their recovery and identify that higher power.  Here are my words of encouragement.

When we first come into the program, it's hard even to believe in God or that AA/NA can help us. If we did believe God, we cursed him for the life we were given. Life wasn't fair. It's hard to do what the 12 step programs teach us - meeting makers make it, call your sponsor, get a support network. Let Go and Let God.

With all of this AA/NA and Higher Power stuff thrown at us, we come in here and they throw another element into our already complicated recovery: JESUS.

We come to a rehab like no other that I've been in and a whole other program is

introduced to us - The program is part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

From my own experience -I believe in God and some of the bible. But why is it so hard to make a small step from believing in God to believing in Jesus as well.

I remember I was out at the smoke shack and it was just me and another resident.  I wanted to ask him, “Do you believe in Jesus?”

A part of me stopped and said, "No Sam don't open up that can of worms"

Why is it so hard for me to talk about it?   We are in a Christian rehab.  Is it because I made fun of Christians growing up?  Is it because Jesus is specific, he was human but had the power of God in Him.  Is that so unusual?  I guess so. 

Asking someone if they believe in Jesus is like asking them what color underwear they have on.  It is odd.

God is vast, super-natural. The Creator of all things.

When I was having trouble believing in this whole thing, I told my counselor that I am 80% of the way there. He told me when you pray.  Do YOU pray to 80% of God?  Well, no.  When God answers a prayer, is it 80%?
Well, no.

-to be continued tomorrow-

grace, peace + hope

-Jesse

You Gotta Have Faith

Inmate Insights - The View Looking Out

Written by "Aaron"

I once heard a quote from an older wiser man, in prison during times of trial and efficient amount of disappointments, “It gets greater later.”  I meditated on something that stood out to me about this saying, and the revelation from God came upon me to better understand what this wise man had spoken to me. 

The book of Hebrews in chapter 11 verse 1 was the answer to all my trials, one word, Faith.  It states in this passage,

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Being in prison was a term of confinement but it would create a double standard of being confined in my mind as well.  I began to whole heartedly put my trust in Jesus to get me through my trials and believe me he didn’t just give me peace he gave me deliverance from the mental prison as well as the physical prison.

Trust in the Lord our God with all thy mind heart and soul and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

Which is exactly what I began to do and then continued to do and the Lord gave me peace and deliverance from my enemies and my present circumstances.  Give God the Glory and have faith my brothers and sisters that you too may get the revelation of God’s wisdom for deliverance from any trials and tribulations that this world brings.


grace, peace + hope

-Jesse

Delusion of Self-Sufficency

"Reflections from Recovery"
Sam's thoughts on "I" continue here:

Written by "Sam" 10/26
The spiritual part of our disease is self-centeredness .

What is self-centeredness ?

It is the belief that the world revolves around me.  My wishes, my demands - are the only ones worth consideration.  Our self-centered minds believe they are capable of getting everything they want if only they would be left to their own devices.We say that self-centeredness is the spiritual part of the disease because the self-centered mind cannot conceive of anything greater than or more important that itself.  But there is a spiritual solution to our spiritual disease.

We strip away our delusion of self-sufficiency by surrendering to a Higher Power greater than ourselves.  We admit we have been wrong, make amends, and seek knowledge of what's right from the God of our understanding.  We seek to serve others and not ourselves.

The goal is to become more God-centered and less self-centered.


grace, peace + hope
-Jesse

You have to get rid of that "I"

Written by "Sam" - 10/25

I was having a one on one session with a Christian who I look up to.  I was explaining how I got discouraged because I was at a spiritual retreat up in the mountains, and I thought all of a sudden, I'm gonna feel some type of way and grow immensely in Christianity overnight - or feel the lightning bolts. 

This is not how this works. 

Change is a constant slow process (at least for me).  But I looked at how far I've come.  7 months ago I never picked up a Bible or wanted to.   I didn't put Christian songs on a CD, mention Jesus in prayer, usually I just prayed for God to get me out of this mess or for the light to turn green.

I have come along way in this time and I don't give myself enough credit.

He stopped me there and said, "You have to get rid of that 'I' and give all the credit to Jesus."

I replied in my mind, "Your telling me after 12 years of hurting people, being selfish, lying etc.  that now I'm finally doing good and I can't take any of the credit!"

-That is the end of his entry.  And I love it.

I know I've been in a similar place, at least as far as the taking credit part.  I love his honesty, and the wisdom of the one he was meeting with to call that out.  This is one example of what discipleship and living our lives with people that M28 is all about.

It's easy to replace what Jesus does in our lives with ourselves.  But we would never get close to him if he hadn't already come all the way to us.

grace, peace + hope
-Jesse

Struck, but not Shaken

Living where I do in PA, there is a lot of people worried about the approach of this so-called, "Frankenstorm."  I almost feel cheesy using it as a reference here, but it's what led me to think and read on what I'm about share.

A house built on a firm foundation doesn't fear the flood waters.

Look at these passages out of Luke 6

“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.  Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers.  The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?  I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.  He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.  But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

It doesn't say the flood waters missed the house, or that the house was not affected by the torrent.  It simply says that the house was struck, but not shaken.

How's your foundation today?  Dig down deep.  Build it on the rock.

grace, peace + hope
-Jesse

The Story Has to End with Victory

Written 5/19/12 by "Sam"

I took a hot shower and washed my county prison uniform with a bar of soap and an empty trash can.  I laid down to and started to dream of my future, looking up at the ceiling with my hands behind my head.  I had an inner peace, that is unusual in a dorm-like cell, crowded with seven other convicts.  One was serving 25 years for attempted homicide.

The peace came from above, and I started thinking to myself that I can do, and get through, everything.  Everything that happened in my past, prepared and lead me to this exact time and the story has to end with victory.

I had to be beaten up so badly from drugs, alcohol, sin and failure to reach such a bottom, where I had to rely not on my selfish ways, but belief that Jesus died for my sins.  God forgives me and has a purpose for my life.  I feel the enemy is waiting for me, doing push-ups and checking ammo.

When I leave this prison, I will have to be more prepared, especially with my higher power.

Romans 8:28 - "We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them."

I now have a purpose and it is to simply live by spiritual principles and help others.

A Danish proverb:  What you are is God's gift to you.  What you do with yourself is your gift to God.


*minor edits made for anonymity

Location. Location. Location.

What is Jesus telling us in his conversation with the woman at the well?

There are a lot things to be discussed and said about this portion of scripture, found in John 4.  Read for yourself below, and then I'll share my thoughts.

“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet.  Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.  You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.  Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

Deep stuff right?

Now I can't break down all the original language and things, but I believe the main idea translates.  What I read here is that location doesn't matter.  She is discussing a mountain that her people have worshiped at for generations.  While the Jews worship at the temple in  Jerusalem.

Jesus says there will be a time, and it's here now, when you won't worship on the mountain or in Jerusalem. 

What does that mean for us?

I mean, I've never been to Jerusalem, or this mountain.  But I have worshiped God.  So, if it's not in either of these once ascribed holy places...where is it?  Jesus says God will be worshiped in spirit and truth.  Because these are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

So he seeks those who worship in spirit and truth.  How do we do that?  Well, this isn't a step by step.  You have to work out your own faith.  However the Church, the body of believes, can help encourage and challenge each other on in their faith.

So let me offer this simple challenge:  follow where the Spirit leads.

Imagine you've been praying for a co-worker.  Is that all you do for them?  Or do you open your heart, your ears, and listen to them.  See what they are and are not saying.  Pay attention and learn to discern.  God will guide you.

Let him.

Worshiping God is spirit and truth is not restricted to sacred music and cathedrals.  Worshiping can happen in a club to rock music, if a person's spirit is open to God.  It can happen in the middle of a forest, an office cubicle, or executive board room.  It can happen on the dock of a grocery store, the parking lot of a movie theater, or a tattoo parlor under neon lights.

Be open to the Spirit moving in your life.  It won't always be a miraculous sign.  It can be in a smile.  A kind word or time spent with someone hurting.  Discipleship isn't about scoring conversions.  It's about teaching others to be like Jesus.  I think the best teaching is observed, not heard.

So keep your heart and mind open for the Spirit to move in you!  Look for the little things, the compassionate things, and just serve God with all your heart, soul and strength.  He'll fill in the rest.

grace, peace + hope
-Jesse

You Don't Fix Faith

If you've been reading these posts, one thing you know about me is that I am a huge movie/tv fan.  Mainly for the stories and characters and what they can teach us.  One of my all time favorite shows is Firefly, which was canceled after the first season, but managed to get enough fan support that a feature length movie was made out of it.

That never happens.

At least had not happened before that.  A show that the network canceled, after poor promotion, horrible time slot, and was aired out of sequence and not even all the episodes saw the air.  So with a track record like that, why on earth would a major studio shell out millions to make a movie?

Faith.

Someone had faith in the writer, the actors, all the crew, and the fans.  (The writer/director is a certain Joss Whedon, who now is becoming a household name instead of just a geekdom known name, thanks to the success of the Avengers.)

If you're wondering what in the world this has to do with being a follower of Christ...I'm getting there.  One of the best scenes from the show involves a young girl named River who was tested on by the government, but was already beyond genius intelligence.  She is very logical and scientific.  Kind of like Spock, but with no filter.  She was kinda crazy.  The other character in the scene is a man named Book.  He is a "shepherd," in the world of this story he's a missionary of sorts.  A man of faith.

The scene plays out when Book walks into the dinning room and begins speaking to River.  He isn't looking at her so he doesn't see her leaning over a book at the table.

Book: What are we up to, sweetheart?

River Tam: Fixing your Bible.

Book: I, um...[alarmed]  What?

River Tam: Bible's broken. Contradictions, false logistics - doesn't make sense.
[she's marked up the bible, crossed out passages and torn out pages]

Book: No, no. You-you-you can't...

(next portion skipped for time...feel free to read it all or watch the episode: Jaynestown.)

Book: River, you don't fix the Bible.

River: It's broken. It doesn't make sense.

Book: It's not about making sense. It's about believing in something, and letting that belief be real enough to change your life. It's about faith. You don't fix faith, River. It fixes you.

This isn't about River tearing up a Bible.  I was shocked a bit when I saw it the first time.  But the way the rest of that conversation play out just took my breath away.  Now, I believe without a doubt that the Bible is the Word of God and is true.

What really gets me is how Book responds.  Instead of getting all angry he remains calm, and deals with grace, wisdom and discernment.   "You don't fix faith, it fixes you."

Jesus sent his disciples out to make more disciples.  Not to debate with people until they convert.  Faith isn't an argument to win.  We can share it, show it, live it.  When was the last time you won someone over to the love of Jesus by arguing Creation vs. Evolution?  I know I haven't.

Faith isn't just a program to install.  It's not about 'knowing,' or having empirical evidence.  That's why it is called faith.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11 is commonly called the "Faith Chapter."  It describes stories and people who were known for their faith.  Able.  Enoch.  Noah.  Abraham.  Isaac.  Jacob.  Joseph.  Moses.  Rahab.  The writer of Hebrews lists more that they don't have the time to describe.

They also write this:  By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.  It is by faith we understand this.  By faith we understand the sacrifice that Jesus made, and who he is.

It's faith that allows us to believe in Jesus.  Faith is what fixes us.  You have to let it in.  As you let it transform you, let Him transform you, you'll be able to share that with others.  And seeing your faith, can learn what faith is, and eventually have faith themselves.

You can't fix faith.  It doesn't need fixed.  Read those stories mentioned in Hebrews 11.  Learn about what faith fixed in them, and how it can fix you...and let it.

grace, peace + hope
-Jesse