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

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

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

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

Fill 'er Up

In John 10, Jesus compares himself to the gate of a sheep pen, and to the shepherd.  He says that he is the only way to truly enter the pen and that the sheep will only follow their true shepherd.  In the middle of these comparisons he mentions that all others who came into the pen before him (not as sheep) were thieves and robbers.

He says the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  They didn't come into the pen through the gate (through Jesus.)  They are there to do harm.  Jesus says, "But I come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly...(or to the full.)

Um...yes please!

I'd like some life to the full.

Especially if Jesus is the one giving it.  He didn't come to take life away from us.  To tie us down with laborious rules and dogmas.

He makes many comparisons of who he is.  The Bread of Life, Fountain of Living Water, The Shepherd, The Gate, The Way, The Truth, The Life.  The Light of the World.  The Vine.


He is the bread that feeds us.

The water that quenches us.

The shepherd who cares for us.

The gate that protects us.

The way that guides us.

The truth that frees us.

The life that fills us.

The light that reveals us.

The vine that sustains us.


Yes.  I'll have some of that.  All of that.  He must increase, we must decrease.  Let Jesus fill your life, so that you may live abundantly...fully.  Because if He feeds us...we can feed others.  If he cares for us...we can care for others.  I think you can follow that train.

Let him do those things in you, so you don't have to worry about those things for yourself.  You can give it to others.  It is what he wants from us.  Love him with everything.  Love our neighbors.  Give out what he has filled you with.


grace, peace + hope
-Jesse

The Salvation Incantation

Saving Private Ryan is a brutally realistic view into the horrors of war.  It is the story of an American squad sent on a rescue mission.  A mission to save one person, the titular Private Ryan.  They do not know where he is, and most of the squad don't want to be on the mission.  Why should they risk their lives to send one schmuck home?  But they follow orders and after a long search, they find him.

By the end of the movie, most of the squad has died in the course of their mission.  Including their captain, played by Tom Hanks.  As he lays dying after a vicious battle, he waves Ryan over and rasps to him, "Earn this."

That floors me every time I see it.  Earn this.  How?  How can you live a life knowing that others died so that you can live?  How do you ever live up to that request, to earn their sacrifice.  Well, Ryan clearly struggles with that thought for the remainder of his life.  The scene fades and we see the elderly Ryan at the captain's grave, and he says to his wife, "Tell me I'm a good man."

He lived his whole life wondering if he lived up to the lives that were given so he could go home.  Even though he didn't ask for it.  His salvation ate at his mind his whole life.

I'm glad Jesus did not have the same mind set.  He did not ask us to earn the salvation he purchased for us.  He said, "It is accomplished!"  Done.  Finished.  Salvation was delivered to us.  We just have to accept it.

But salvation is not a once and done thing.  There is a moment.  An instant when someone believes and salvation begins.

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Romans 10:9-10

 We are also told to "work out our own salvation," (Philippians 2:12)  Think of it this way.  You train to be a doctor and graduate med school and eventually say the Hippocratic oath.  You're a doctor now  Yay!  What happens if you never show up for work after that?  You never practice medicine for the rest of your life.  Are you still a doctor?  Were you ever really a doctor?

Now, I'm not saying to question your salvation.  If you believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, and have confessed Jesus is Lord, you are saved...but it doesn't stop there.  If you truly believe that Jesus is Lord, you will behave and live a certain way.  Bearing fruit that comes from having Jesus in your life.  Remember his analogy about the vine and the branches?  (John 15)

We need to remain in him.  So we can bear fruit.  Fruit that comes from God, through Jesus, and out of us.  "Jesus is Lord," is not just a statement of fact.  It is a declaration of your devotion to him.

Salvation is not just an incantation at the end of a church service.  It is not an emotional response at a conference or retreat.  It's not just a moment in a small group or home gathering.  It very well may happen in one of those places or come out of situations like that, but it is so much more. 

It is a clear decisive choice that Jesus is Lord of your life. 

There will be changes in your life.  Some might be instant.  Others will take the rest of your life.  But they will come out of your love for him.  How you grow with him in your life and with others who follow him.

Unlike Private Ryan, we don't have to wonder if we earned it.  Because we can not earn the salvation that Jesus won for us.  Only he could.  But the good news is, because he won it, we don't have to wonder if we can have it.

It's already accomplished.  Salvation ≠ Recitation.  Saying the Hippocratic oath does not make you a doctor.  Saying the sinners prayer doesn't make you a follower of Jesus.  You have to actually follow him to be a follower.  And that is discipleship.  Learning about Jesus.  Who he is.  What he has done and taught.  Then, you go and teach others about Jesus.

grace, peace + hope-Bear

Tame

One of my favorite stories of all time is the "Chronicles of Narnia," by C.S. Lewis.  The adventures of various children going on magical adventures into a fantastical land full of wondrous creatures.  Especially the magnificent character of Aslan the lion.

There are many correlations between Alsan and Jesus/God.  He creates the world of Narnia.  He sacrifices himself to save one who had done wrong.  If you have not read the books go get them and read them.  You're not too old or too young to understand and enjoy them.

One idea that occurs several times in the series is that Aslan is not, "a tame lion."

I think that is probably one of the most true concepts about God in the books.  God is not tame.  He does not fit into our human religion.  He is greater than whatever box we can make for him.  Whether it is a list of rules, or a magnificent cathedral.  Or even restricting him to, "the basics of the early church."

He is so much more than that.  He is not tame.  His ways are not our ways.  Who are we to think we can fathom how God works?  I know I have been guilty of this often.  God is good.  God is love.  This doesn't change.  Even if our definitions of the words do.  We are the ones who change.

What is considered good today might not have been considered good fifty years ago.  Or even twenty.  Either way God is not restricted by our concepts of good...or anything else for that matter.  We don't see the whole picture.  God does.  God made the picture.  In every sense you can imagine...and all the ones you can't.

We can not afford to box God into our concepts.  God is not a galactic wish granter.  He isn't an old sweet grandpa sitting on the porch of heaven waiting for his kids to come home.  He is not limited to our traditions.

Look back through the stories of the Bible and see the things God asks people to do.  Some of it is down right horrible by our standards.  The Plague of the Firstborn.  The Flood.  The massacre after Moses got the ten commandments and the people were worshiping the golden calf.  Pretty much the book of Joshua.  Even his chosen people had his wrath poured out on them.  Not to mention Job.

What did Job ever do wrong?  Nothing.  He was the most righteous person on Earth.  Yet he lost everything.  Was afflicted with physical maladies and pain.  I shudder at, yet love, how God answers Job in chapter 38. (NAS)

Who is this that darkens counsel, by words without knowledge?  Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct Me!  Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?  Tell Me, if you have understanding,

 Further on God says

Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?  Let him who accuses God answer him!

Job 40:2 (NIV)

These are really good chapters where God is laying it all out on the table.  Job responds in part with this:  (42:4-6 NAS)

I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You; therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.

I love that.  "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear," in other words I know You by what I have heard about you.  Then, "but now my eye sees You...and I repent..."

He is not a tame lion.

And that is a very good thing.  Think about this:

What if God was small enough for us to understand Him?

If God operated as we did, we would be in sorry shape.  But he has offered us grace, and peace and hope in Him.  He's already finished the picture.  He knows what it looks like in the end.  It does not matter if we can't see it, or understand it.

Follow Him with out the regulations and laws.  Follow Him with your heart and soul.  With everything within you.  He gave us what we need to follow Him.  And that is what he wants from us.  To follow, believe, to baptize, teach, and make more disciples.  Go forth and multiply.

Are you willing to follow God with out religion?

After all, He is not a tame lion...


grace, peace + hope
-Jesse

Reflections on Resurrection

"But your iniquities have separated you from God.  For your hands are stained with blood, and your tongue mutters wicked things.  No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case with integrity.

We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.  Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.

The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice.  He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him."

(selections from Isaiah 59)

 I took portions of scripture and fitted them together here.  I don't think I've changed the meaning of the overall passage.  Please, follow the link to Isaiah 59 or open your own Bible to read the whole thing.  I'm not discussing the finer points of the composition or the deep theological issues of this.  Just think of what today represents.

It's the Resurrection of Jesus.

I read the passage in Isaiah and I think of me.  Of us today.  That those descriptions fit us.  Our iniquities have separated us from God.  Our hands are stained with blood.  (maybe not literally, but remember what Jesus said about just being angry with a brother...)  Our tongues mutter wicked things.  We walk in deep shadows because we cannot find the light.  Truth is nowhere and anyone who rejects evil...is prey!

I'm tired of being that person.  I'm tired of being separated from God.

We do not have to be separated from him.  He already fixed everything.  "So his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him."

God made the way back through the darkness.  Back to the Truth.  We can come out from beneath our iniquities, our wicked tongues, and blood stained hands and be with Him in the light.

Jesus is that salvation worked out, the sustaining righteousness.

The coolest thing is that it is done.  We just have to embrace him.  To acknowledge who he is.  Then we live life changed, different, out of darkness.  We follow the lessons and commands he left for us.  We live life according to the salvation Jesus provided through his resurrection.

Enjoy the flowers and eggs and candy today, but remember there is so much more to it than that.  "Easter" is a holiday.  The Resurrection is a way of life.  Live it.

grace, peace + hope

-Jesse

You're Doing It Wrong

There is a well known book series, with a hit HBO series called Game of Thrones.  I can't say much about the show as I've never seen it.  But I have read the first book.  There is a scene in both where a young girl is given a sword by her half-brother.  He asks her if she knows how to use it.  She answers,

The pointy end goes into the other man.

So what does that have to do with M28 and discipleship?  Well, nothing.  But it has a lot to do with me and something God has recently been teaching me.  It'll make sense by the end.  I hope.

Do any of you ever have one of those days, or weeks, or lifetimes, where God just kind of smiles at you and says, "You're doing it wrong?"  Okay, a few of you.  Oh wait, is that everyone?  Wow, good to know I'm not alone in this.

Now I'm not saying this is an always, every time, kind of wrong.  There are times I know it's getting done right.  Those moments are usually when I'm stepping back and letting God do his thing.  I might be the messenger at times, but the message is still God's.

For the past year I've been trying to dive head first into this discipleship thing.  I've read half a dozen books.  Been at meetings, discussions, brainstorm sessions, you name it.  I get the concept.  But I couldn't find anyone to disciple.  So I read some more.

Cause if you aren't doing it...certainly you just need to have more knowledge on the topic.

In reading a new book I thought, maybe I just need a cause.  A place of people to dive into.  The example in the book was that the author and a friend went to India and worked with lepers.  They just dove in and God worked in them.  I thought, I can do that, right here.

Maybe not lepers, but surely there is a place that I can go.

And I found one, or rather one came to me.  It was living in a recovery house for drug addicts and alcoholics.  I just dove in.  I knew little to nothing about those life styles.  And it seemed like things went from rough to worse over the two months that I lived there with residents.  I even got a disciple before I moved into the house and he eventually moved in there.




Without going into a lot of details the house did not work out in the end.  My first thoughts were that I had failed.  The discipleship I had going failed.  I felt like a failure.  You see a trend here.  I was doing everything right.  At least according to the books and ideas.  Well, except maybe the Book.


Last week I had a few different conversations with some wise and encouraging people.  Good friends.  Good people.  Then I had the conversation I really needed with God.  That's when I heard him say, "You're doing it wrong."  He wasn't angry.  It's like a parent watching a kid trying to put a square block in a round hole.

When they are in third grade.

Now remember that bit with the sword?  This is kind of how my conversation with God went:

God - "Jesse, what are you doing?"
Jesse - (holding sword by the blade) "Um, sword fighting?"
God - "You're doing it wrong."
Jesse - (examining the mess he just made) "Oh." (slow realization sets in) The pointy end goes into the other guy."
God - "There you go champ."

There are a lot of great tools for doing discipleship.  But never forget that God is the source of all those things.  You see I was relying too much on the tool rather than the teacher.  I was too worried about making a difference instead of letting God work.  I realize now that the house wasn't a failure, I just may never see the results.

God can and will continue to work in those guys long after they forget about me.  Or maybe we will come back in contact at some point.  Who knows!  God is in control and we need to remember that in all our endeavors.  We are just supposed to go spread the seed.

The seed will grow when it lands in good soil.

grace, peace + hope

-Jesse

Flight 815 - The Good Soil

In preparing this post my mind jumped at the scripture reference of Luke 8:15 and the infamous flight number Oceanic 815 from Lost.  The passage in Luke is a description of the good soil.

But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. 

Pretend with me that I know what I'm talking about.  I know there are many wiser men and women who have examined this passage in depth and know oh so much more about it than I do.  But surely a standard blue-collar bloke like myself should be able to pull something from it.  I mean, what's the point of having a Bible if God can't reveal things to us with out a degree in it?

Look at the four actions listed:  Hear.  Retain.  Persevere.  Produce.

Everyone is capable of doing those things.  Right?  I surely hope so.  Okay, so what does this have to do with Lost?  Well, in truth, not a whole lot.  I mean I could pull all sorts of comparisons to the people on the plane and what kind of soil they were and all that, and maybe one day I will...but not today.

I will say that many of them were capable of being good soil.  Having noble and good hearts, with the ability to hear, retain, persevere (which they surely did) and produce.  But I want this to be about you and me. The couple sitting across from me at Panera who prayed over their meal.  The lady across the restaurant who didn't.  Jesus' teachings were meant for the people around him.  Including us.  We might not have been there, but he is here with us now.


The soil is about us as much as it is not.  Jesus had already called the disciples.  If you're reading this chances are he's already called you.  If you're thinking about how to disciple others and spread the seed that is the word of God, You've already been the soil.  It's time to move on to being the farmer planting the seed.


Good soil will Hear.  If you are out there scattering seed the good soil will hear it.  And trust me, there is plenty of good soil out there.  I've read descriptions of this parable that the good soil is a 1/4 of the types of soil...but let's think about that for a moment.  What kind of farmer scatters seed across all his land knowing that only 25% will accept it?  No.  The path is a narrow, small portion of land.  The rocky ground is going to spots and here and there.  The weeds...well, hopefully the farmer has done a good job of weeding before planting.  But weeds are weeds and will creep in at places.  A majority of the land is then good soil.


The good soil will also Retain.  That means it will keep it.  It will hold the seed, the word, and let it grow.  The word of God will grow in them.  Not because of what we the farmer have done, but because it's the Word of God!


Persevere.  This is probably the most difficult of the four actions.  Other words like; endure, faith, hope, cling to, hold on, push through...you get the idea.  It makes me think of the verse in Ephesians that challenges us to put on the whole armor and after everything...to stand.  Persevere.


The last one is Produce.  Jesus talks several times about bearing fruit.  It's a common theme.  I mean he even curses a fig tree because it should have been producing fruit and it wasn't.  That's like a Christian who looks like a follower of Jesus but isn't really doing anything about it."

I've been that guy.  Would you admit to yourself that you have too? 

Okay now that we've admitted that...let's do something about it!  Jesus tells us that if we remain in him, the true vine, he will remain in us, the branches.  And what do branches produce?  Fruit.  In that fruit is seed.  So once we mature enough to produce fruit, fruit with seed, that fruit needs to grow and scatter the seed.  We move on and start over again.  And so do they.  It's a simple, difficult, beautiful process that Jesus hardwired into the very creation of the world.  Genesis 1:11 

"Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so.

Find the good soil.  Scatter the Word.  And watch God work.

grace, peace + hope
-Jesse

Breaking the Habit

So, you're addicted to going to church too?

Let me tell you, there is hope, and you are not alone.

God gets angry with empty ritual and meaningless tradition.  Read Isaiah.  Read the stories of Jesus confronting the Pharisees.  They had replaced their faith in God with regulations.  The Ten Commandments were never about keeping the "rules"...they were about putting God first!  That is the first commandment!

"You shall have no other gods before me."

(PS - I'm not advocating not following the 10 Commandments...just change the perspective of why we follow them.)

It is so easy to replace knowing God with knowing about God.  And that is a danger of just "going to church." A person can go to church their whole life and never know God.  They can know plenty about him.  They could even quote scripture like nobody's business.  The Pharisees were pretty good at that stuff too.  Then you get someone like the centurion with the sick servant.  This guy is a Roman soldier.  But he sees and recognizes the authority in Jesus.  Did Jesus turn him away because he was not a devout follower of the law?  No.  Look at what Jesus said, (it is really mind blowing if you think about it.)

I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.

You know the craziest part about this?  The guy didn't even come himself.  He sent people to Jesus.  And when Jesus was coming to heal the guys sick servant...more friends come and tell Jesus that the centurion didn't feel worthy enough to have Jesus come under his roof.

Man that is hitting home to me right now.  Really hard.

How often have I walked into "church" thinking I belong.  That this was my place.  That is the attitude of an addict.  I have the right to be here.  Who are you to tell me different?

Church is not a place to go.  It is people to be with.  It is the body, the whole body, of Jesus.

The body won't grow if it sits around.  Well, it might get fat, but it won't grow.  It won't become healthy and strong.  The Church isn't supposed to be sedentary.  Jesus told his disciples to, "Go."  But they didn't.  Not at first.  Then difficulty struck, and they scattered...and so did the Word.

My friends, it is high time we get out of our pews, couches, folding chairs, or whatever you sit on in your regular gatherings.  A farmer can't harvest a crop if he just sits in his barn and doesn't plant the seeds.  Neither can we prepare the harvest for Jesus if we just sit in our storehouses. 

Break the habit.  Church is good.  Christ is better.  Show Jesus to the world around you.  Don't hide your love for him behind the stained glass windows of a church or the fish bumper sticker on your car.  Let's stop just going to church and let us be the Church.

See you out there.

grace, peace + hope

-Jesse

A Year of Living Dangerously

The title is not an intentional reference to the Mel Gibson movie of the same name.  It's just the inspirational thought that is behind today's post.  This reminds me of a scene from one of my favorite sci-fi movies, Avatar.  The reluctant hero has been banished by the people he is trying to protect.  But he has to warn them about a worse disaster about to take place.  So he says,  

"Sometimes your life boils down to one insane move."  

 He then proceeds to do something that hasn't been done in generations, and it works.  He knew what he had to do and he took whatever risk he needed to make it happen.

As followers of Jesus we know what we have to do.  Don't buy into the hokum that you need to spend years and years trying to figure out who you are, what you do, and how that fits into what Jesus has for you.  There is no secret method or three point strategy.  We know what he expects of us.  What he commanded us to do.

Let us do it.

Let your life boil down to one insane move for Jesus.  Step out of your comfort zone and do something.

I'm going to use an example from my life.  This is in no way meant to be a pat on my own back.  Because this example is not about me.  It's about Jesus.

Near the beginning of December (2011) I was asked if I would consider moving into a Recovery House.  In short it's a house that is a step out from a half-way house.  It's a house for men who are recovering alcoholics and drug addicts.  My involvement would be as house manager.  Facilitating the drug tests, reconciling disagreements in the house, scheduling chore lists, enforcing the house rules, finding candidates to live there and helping the guys in ways that I can.  Also to be a Christian influence on the house and to be available for discipleship if desired.

My first thought was, "Yes!"  Then I thought about my stuff.  Would it be safe?  Would it get stolen?  What about my safety?  What if?  What about?  But I felt God letting me know this was what he wanted.  You see I had been offered a chance to live in the house a few months earlier, not as the manager, but the Christian influence etc.  I just couldn't afford rent at the time.  This time God removed the only obstacle that I had.  Rent not being an issue I had no excuses good or bad for turning this down.  It was too God of a thing to ignore.

So, January 2nd I moved in.  It has not been easy.  Tensions flared with certain people before I moved in making the weeks leading up to the move (Christmas too) miserable by some standards.  Living here is not a walk in the park either.  Out of respect for the men and their privacy I will obviously not go into details.  If you know an addict or former addict you can imagine some of it.

These are guys who know they made bad choices (I wonder if the average Christian can admit that?)  Not mistakes.  Mistakes are not repeated choices to do harmful things.  A mistake is taking a left when you should have gone right.  Dropping acid is not a mistake when you meant to drop off the mail.  How many of us who say we follow Christ will admit that our sins are not mistakes but choices we make?

These men are men who want to move on with their lives.  They want to go to college, get a GED, make an honest wage...have a healthy life.  They just have a different set of baggage than someone who isn't an addict.  Sometimes this baggage lands in my life.  Everyday something does.  Sometimes it's not a huge issue.  Other times it grinds my life to a halt.

I do not regret moving in though.  Cause for some reason I've yet to figure out, God led me here.  God can work through anyone.  But when you listen to him and let him use you, he will use the unique things that make you who you are.  There is something here for me to do.  More importantly, there is something God will do through me.

God has also given me a passion for drawing and storytelling.  I've been working on various things for years.  Never actually putting my stuff out there.  Oh, I'll share it with anyone who wants to see it, but I haven't taken that leap to try and publish it yet.  Well, until yesterday I had not.  I made my first contact with the Baltimore Comic-Con.  My hope is to get an artist table at the convention this September.  Some of my work will be just fun creative stuff.  Others will have Jesus in mind and message.  But it's time to stop sitting on this stuff and use it for God.

Ok enough about me.

Like Jake in Avatar there is a Bible story about a guy who made an insane move to move toward Jesus.  In the book of Mathew (14:22-34) Jesus walks on water.  Yeah.  He walks across a lake toward the disciples who were in a boat on rough waters.  Peter sees him (man I love Peter) and says, "Jesus, if it's you, tell me to come to you!"  So Jesus says, "Come!"  Peter jumps out of the boat.  Insane.  Dangerous.  And starts walking toward Jesus.  Then he sees the waves, and realizes, I can't walk on water!

Like me in this house.  I feel like I'm drowning.  But the story doesn't end here.

Peter cries out, "Lord save me!"  Jesus stretches out his hand and says, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"  He didn't let Peter drown.  He saved him.  And in that moment Peter was in the most secure place in all of creation.   The arms of Jesus.

So what is my point you ask?  After rambling on about my living situation and drawing at a comic book convention, what does that have to do with God, disciplship, or anything?  I'm glad you asked.

Because did not give us a spirit of fear or weakness.  We are to be as wise as serpents and gentle as lambs.  We are to go out among the wolves.  We are to be strong and courageous.  To keep the faith and finish the race.  We are to live dangerously.  Not recklessly.

There is a difference.  Driving a car is dangerous.  Anytime.  Driving a car drunk is reckless.  Too severe?  Texting and driving is reckless.  Flying is dangerous.  Flying with illegal cargo is reckless.  You get the picture?

Living a life following Christ is dangerous.  Look at Paul.  Peter.  Stephen.  They were all executed for their commitment to Jesus.  Are you willing to be cold?  Tired?  Hungry?  Vulnerable?

Step out of the boat and make one insane move.  I challenge you to do it day after day for a year.  And look back next February and see how God has changed you.  Step out of the comfort zone of your church, small group, home church, club or organization.  Peter and the disciples were in the boat together.  Fellow "believers."  Peter had to get out of the boat to go to Jesus.

Jesus is waiting for all of us.  It's one thing to believe he is God's son.  It's another thing entirely to run to him with all you have.  I'll be here to encourage you along.  Do the same for me.  Or the beliver beside you.  Or the one you meet down the street or at breakfast.  Let's spur each other on toward our Saviour and get others to run with us...to Jesus.

grace, peace + hope
-Bear

Humility?

America calls itself a Christian nation. If all who call themselves CHRISTians (Christ followers) would truly be emulating the Rabbi, the Teacher Jesus Christ-the one whom we derive our name, what would we look like? Make it personal, what would you and what would I look like?

If Jesus were physically walking with us today what would his followers be called to do?


Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. (Luke 9:23-26NLT)

Our lives would be marked with humility… The cross was an object of humility, pain, death, scorn and degradation. Andrew Murray wrote, “The call to humility has been too little regarded in the Church because its true nature and importance has been too little apprehended. It is not a something which we bring to God…it is simply the sense of entire nothingness, which comes when we see how truly God is all, and in which we make way for God to be all.” [i]
Jesus is not asking or suggesting but mandating, take up your cross daily and follow me.
“But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” (Mt 5:20NLT)
It is a daily surrendering, a daily acceptance that I am nothing without grasping…without taking hold of the truth that I am because of Jesus Christ.
Only God’s cleansing can generate a heart of true humility.

Our lives would be marked with hospitality… Our homes would be marked with hospitality not “Alarmed by XYZ Security Company”. It isn’t the size of our homes, the stuff in our homes, or the impressive spread on the dining table. Hospitality begins and ends with humility. Becoming a servant at heart with arms ready to serve and receive those who will never be able to repay. It is serving in Super-Sized portions grace and mercy, acceptance and forgiveness.
Only God can motivate a life of hospitality and it starts with humility.

Our lives would be marked with change…Priorities would change. We would not allow our wealth to identify us. Nor would it own our hearts and time. “turn from your selfish ways..” Lk 9:23; Mt. 19:21-30
Only God can motivate a heart of change and it starts with humility.

Our lives would be marked with unity…There would be no denominational divisions, barriers or jealousies Luke 9:49-50. We would stand ready to help, encourage and defend a fellow brother not matter his affiliation.
Only God can motivate a heart and desire for unity and it starts with humility.

Our lives would be marked with a holy pride…There would be an awareness of holiness, respect and marvel when sharing this message of hope, redemption, restoration, life, healing and deliverance. We would be a compass to those desperately seeking Truth pointing them always to the Father.
Only God can motivate a heart filled with His holy pride and it starts with humility.

Jesus didn’t call us to build dynasties; he called us to build relationships. This is the difference between being the organized church and being the body of Christ. I believe this is the mark of a CHRISTian…a follower of Jesus Christ.

A work in progress,
Kay

[i]
Humility by Andrew Murray, pg 14-15