Grounded

"For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on thee."
2 Chronicles 20:12b

I love this little verse. No claims of easy answers, or reminders of the basics we should already know - just an acknowledgement of the threatening situation, our lack of a solution, and an affirmation that our eyes will choose to remain on God.

It reminds me of something I heard of long ago that went something like this….St. Francis was tending to his garden and a friend inquired, what would you do if you were to find out the Lord was returning tonight and St. Francis responded that he would finish tending his garden.

For those connected to God in the day- to- day drudgery or delight of life, the situations faced are not defining. The person has already been defined by whom they believe in, and so there is a steadiness and a determination to look towards God that permeates even the crazy times in life. Louie Giglio used to express it by saying some version of , "Come hell or high water, I choose to follow God." I do not mean to downplay the seriousness or sadness of some of life's situations, just to remind myself that the goal is to have the groundedness that comes from daily walking with God and remembering His presence and my necessary response in the midst of it all. His presence does not take away the consequences, nor negate the threats facing us, but it does remind us that we have one walking with us who loves us and shares his strength and life with us.

If you know me, you know I don't believe that it will necessarily all work out for the best, but that is okay, knowing my future, knowing that God walks with me, and knowing God can use it all is enough :-)

transformed?

In reading, "Abba's Father" by Brennan Manning, I read something that jumped out at me and has stuck with me as I have moved on about my busyness.

He said, "The paltriness of our lives is largely due to our fascination with the trinkets and trophies of the unreal world that is passing away…Religious dabbling, worldly prestige, or temporary unconsciousness cannot conceal the terrifying absence of meaning in the church and in society, nor can fanaticism, cynicism, or indifference.
When we are not profoundly affected by the treasure within our grasp, apathy and mediocrity are inevitable." (Pg. 118)

Now that is some food for thought.

The opening line reminds me of C.S. Lewis talking about our being enamored with the ability to make mud cakes at the beach. It rings true, we are satisfied with such small things, that at some point we realize our satisfied ness for what it is - overrated.

We certainly cannot direct this to non- Christians only. Barna has shown us all the studies that find so little difference in how lives are lived out between evangelical Christians and the rest of the population. We Christians are just as easily duped into over valuing the present things we enjoy. We all know, or are, Christians who truly believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, but fail to live a life transformed by that knowledge. Transformation is not an easy process that the church can offer a one-day class on. Sometimes we go from one extreme to the other. We either don't try because it seems too unattainable, or we get fanatical and think we can achieve transformation by trying really hard to follow all the rules and do everything we think we are supposed to.

I am wondering how we could do a better job of calling people to a faith that goes beyond head knowledge and beyond behavior modification? Currently, my pastor is doing a series on the heart and he points out that we learn to modify our behavior so as to be presentable, but the things that slip out show us we have stuff that needs to be dealt with in our heart. I agree, but guess I would maybe rephrase it to say that the stuff that slips out shows we have not been transformed from the inside out. I certainly agree with the practical suggestions he has given us for cleaning up the heart, but I wish there was a next step we could be pointed towards as an opportunity to take transformation seriously. Admittedly, I am young and have little knowledge about these things, but my gut feeling would be that spiritual formation or discipleship would be the way to transformation. We need instruction and accountability as to how to apply what we know in my every day real life, and we need help building disciplines into our lives that allow the input and connection with God needed to be able to live out of our relationship with Him.

Thank U Parents

Here is something I wrote just before we had Jacob. In honor of Mother's Day I thought I would share with the world how awesome my parents are!

As we prepare to become parents for the first time, I can't help but think of the example you individually, and as a couple, have been to me. I am so grateful to have such wonderful parents. James and I, of course, have much on our own that we want to try and impart to our family, but there is much I want to model after you. Not only that, but as we prepare to move on to a new stage in our life I am so grateful for the experience we have had before this time. Our trips to New York, to Europe, Chicago, or just last minute plans to go to dinner.

Dad, you like to laugh, you enjoy people and crowds and excitement. You like to try new things and find new places and share them with others. You respect people and ideas while holding firm to your own. People tell me all the time what a great guy you are ( I always tell them I agree). People like you, like to work for you, and to be with you because you value people. You are always encouraging and look for the positive in things in life and in people. You like doing things for those you love and truly believe it is better to give than to receive. I especially remember you giving us gifts at Fathers Day, you making a special dinner for mom just to be nice, you saving your change to give us shopping money in New York, etc. You are so very generous with all that you have. You truly believe life is worth living and you go for it everyday.

Mom, you are a wonderful listener, learner and teacher- much beyond the classroom. People like learning from you because you are kind and patient in the way you explain things. You are very willing to invest of yourself to make a difference in others lives and you do this professionally and personally with excellence and care. It is very apparent that you enjoy being with and making happy those you love. You enjoy seeing whatever movie, or playing whatever game because it is together time and we can all enjoy each other. You have a wonderful ability to do so many things at once. I have marveled many times at the way you can work full time, and do an amazing job at work, keep up your house, and still be available for family stuff. I'd love you just as much if your house wasn't kept up as well, etc, but I am amazed at your ability to do it all. You are willing to put in the work ahead of time so when the "event" comes we can all just relax and enjoy it. You listen and enjoy sharing what is going on in our lives, and share with us what you are learning. You are a genuinely likeable person, who people like being friends with and you are a wonderful mom and friend to me!

You both treat each other and others around you with respect. You are always so willing to give of yourself to help. You have taught us so many things by showing us and helping us.. Buying our first home we had no clue about all sorts of things we were going to need to do, but you pointed us in the right direction and helped us with pointers, your time, and even your money. Your house is beautiful because you both take the time to do what you need to to keep it up. It is a place people like to come to because it is a loving home where real people are allowed to live real life even if it might leave a scratch or whatever.

I am excited that our little boy will have grandparents like you. He will hear stories from us and from you that will tell of lots of fun times, many places lived and visited, and a rich heritage. Our little boy will enjoy your company and care.

I have always known I was loved and prayed for. I am sure I do not know all the tough decisions or sacrifices you had to make but I thank you for them.

Most of all, I am grateful for your many prayers, instruction, and modeling of the Christian life!

Love,
tricia

Imago Dei

Check out Imago Dei's perspective on the purpose of the church at: http://www.imagodeicommunity.com/imago/MenuContent.jsp?id=3
It is spelled out much better than I could have written it.

A post in honor of Mother's Day soon to be coming :-)

Purpose of the Church

Recently, I was asked to write what I saw as the role of the local church. For the sake of answering the question, I went with " My initial response would be that the task of Christian ministry is simultaneously simple and yet overwhelming. Christian ministry and the local church are tasked with being the hands and feet of Christ to each other and the world around them. The church also serves as the place for believers and unbelievers to come and learn more about God in Christ through the teachings of the Bible and it's application to life. My church aims to facilitate intimacy with God, community with insiders and influence with outsiders. Hopefully, churches and para-church ministries serve to provide opportunities for Christians to bless the rest of the world, and to connect those who are not in relationship with their heavenly father to Him." I answered the question for the sake of the application, but I also know there is so much more to it. Given the popularity of Barna's "Revolution, " it is obvious that people are asking what is the purpose of the church, and does my local community of faith serve the God given purpose for a church?

As my previous posts note, I like my church, but I am curious to see how it "scores" if evaluated based on my interpretation of the role of the church. Do we serve as the hands and feet of Christ to our community, or in the larger national or international community? Somewhat. I feel like we do the basics that I am pleased we do, but we do not do enough to be known for our service. We had/have a great ministry to the hurricane victims, we send missions teams all over the world to build new facilities and help in practical ways, and many other worthwhile things, but I do not see service as a major focus that defines who we are. A friend of mine is on staff at an emergent church and as a part of their small groups, every fourth week they serve somewhere in their local community as a group. They also have a huge heart for social justice within their community and beyond. Service is a core part of who they are and who they are known as.

In regards to the church being the place where believers and non - believers come to learn more about God in Christ through the teachings of the Bible and it's application to life I would say we score pretty highly. Kudos to our staff! We are treated to relevant biblical teaching, we have events that reinforce this teaching, and our kids are taught through a variety of mediums the truths of God.

Although our church is a formal organization, I don't want to rely on the building or the staff to be the church. As I was taught all through Sunday School growing up, the church is the people. My formal church may not be at the forefront of service, but I can personally participate in service and in so doing be Christ's hands and feet to the world around me. I can serve in formal ways such as volunteeering at a rescue mission, or I can serve my friends and family and those whom I come into contact with in very informal, practical ways.

In a recent interview with McLaren, he said, "I see the church as a community that teaches people to live in and for the Kingdom, spiritually forming disciples who are agents of the Kingdom in their daily lives, in their jobs, among their neighbors, and even their enemies." (www.criswelljournal.com) That is a pretty lofty goal, and one that if accomplished would transform our world!