Jesus – He inspires me

Jesus. His name is different. Spoken in many languages with the same effect on those who follow this man. His name inspires. Again, people from all walks of life, people from various countries have declared allegiance to one who came as God in the flesh. Jesus. It is what his followers want others to see when they encounter the church.

But, this isn’t always the case. Sometimes instead of seeing Jesus, what the world does see is selfishness, anger, bitterness, materialism, greed, sexual immorality, lust, imperialism. Quite a different contrast from this Jesus that his followers claim allegiance too. Jesus spoke to greatest needs of the human heart. He fed the hungry, loved the poor, hung out with the dirty and the diseased. And some how we’ve missed his example.

The body of Christ doesn’t always portray a negative image, however. Praise God! There are those who are taking care of the poor, ministering to and loving the strung out and the addicts. There are those who are leaving upper class living for a mission to the sick in third world countries. There are clothing and food banks distributing food and clothing to the needy, and there are people tutoring inner-city kids after school.

My prayer, is that more of the world would see what the church is doing right and that we as followers would do more to paint a better picture of Jesus.

The Irresistible Revolution

If you haven’t read this book, you need to. If you have never heard of, then go and google it or buy one. Shane Claiborne, in the Irresistible Revolution steps all over toes, and our hearts in this book. I am a quarter of the way into it, and I can’t put it down. I am ashamed of how mundane I have allowed my faith to become.

Here is a quote from page 64:

“I think I have lost in the hope in the church,’ I confessed, broken hearted to a friend. I will never forget her response. ‘No, you haven’t lost hope in the church. You may have lost hope in Chrisianity or Christendom or all the institutions, but you have not lost hope in the church. This is the church [read the book to see what was being discussed].’ At least that moment, we decided to stop complaining about the church we saw, and we set our hearts on becoming the church we dreamed of.’”

I love the quote by Shane Claiborne here, for I too believe that the church is the hope of the world. Now, I know that some could say that, “no, Jesus is the hope of the world.” I would say you are right. But, I would also say, that the body of Christ, the church, is the physical representation of Jesus here on earth. We are his hands and his feet, his heart, his eyes, and voice. May we live up to our high calling and join the mission that we were intended for “17The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:17-19)

If the church is the hope of the world, and I believe that it is. Why aren’t we healing hurts? Why aren’t we doing better at feeding the hungry? Why aren’t we doing better at rooting out poverty? Why are we Western Christians so wrapped up in our materialistic culture. Why do we think that if we have more stuff we are somehow more blessed than everyone else. What happened to the mentality that the last shall be first, and blessed are the poor in spirit? Why do we in American churches turn a blind eye to the needs around us, around our church buildings, around our nation? If the church is the hope of the world, than it is time we rise up to our calling and get busy learning what it means to be the church (the hands, feet, and heart of Jesus in our world).

summer confession

I haven’t felt much like writing lately. I have been gone a lot this summer, and well I have just enjoyed the break from blogging. I write today, in hopes of sparking further posts.

Two weeks ago, I got to reach the summit of Antora, the north face with about 19 other folks, mainly kids from our youth group. Wilderness Trek is an awesome experience. This year was tough, but every step, and every blister was worth it. God did some pretty cool things in the lives of my young people this summer and in my own life.

Even with two great weeks of camp, and an awesome week of Trek I am aware of how intensely the evil one is prowling around my heart. It seems that this summer, I have been hit harder than in years past. And to add to some blatant spiritual attacks, I at times fear that I have gotten to a place of complacency with my faith. I have a hard time reading the Word, and not only that, but my walk in general is just going through the motions. All of that complacency sickens me, and today I am starting over. I fall at your feet Jesus, and ask for your strength, and renewal to wash over me. Make me hungry for your Word, and for you. Help me to see adventure everywhere, and help me to quit going through the motions. I know you love me. You put up with so much from me, and yet you pursue me daily. I am awed by your love, help me to share that love with my wife and girls.

Psalm 27:4-5

I was reading this morning in my quiet time and was astounded by the words in Psalm 27:4-5, “One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me inthe shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.”

A couple of things touched me this morning. The line about being set high upon a rock is pertinent, for I am leaving Friday for the Rockies to climb a mountain with some crazy teens and wild adults. We will indeed be set high upon a rock. I was also convicted when I read the words, about the one thing I seek. Sometimes my desire is for more than the one thing. I get distracted, tempted and stray off course. I love how God realigns your vision and focus with his word. The Psalmist asks to dwell in the house of the Lord all of his days and to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord. I felt really small and dirty when I considered these words. Who has gazed upon the beauty of the Lord? No one in Scripture has ever seen God. But, yet He comes in flesh in the person and ministry of Jesus, and even tells Philip that if you have seen Jesus, you have seen the Father. Oh, that my eyes might see Jesus! Even Jesus tells us through Matthew 25, that we do see him when we notice the needs of those around us, and when we love one another we are showing Jesus to the world.

But compared to the beauty of the Lord, I still feel small and dirty. I think this is the way we should feel. Humbled by the grandeur and awe that is and surrounds God. For we are made from the dust of the earth and our lives are short, here today and gone tomorrow. God is beauty. He is perfect, pure, light, and love. He is all that hoped for and more than we ever dreamed for. He is our reality, our past and our future. I want to see you too Lord!

“So, Lord, help me to see your beauty today.”

Is a fat dog heavy?

Well is it? I don’t know if you have ever heard that phrase before. I bet though you have never heard asked at a baptismal confession! I kid you not, a couple of weeks ago, during the first week of camp Lu-Jo, after studying with one young man, and his outpouring of his heart he wanted to put Christ on in baptism. We prayed, and then we walked down to the baptistery. I spoke briefly about this young man and his desire to change his life, and then I asked him the most important question of his life, “Alex do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?” He paused, looked me square in the eyes, and said, “Is a fat dog heavy?” I had to look away, I lost it. Everyone was laughing so hard. But, this young man was heartfelt. So, we have a new brother.

I got to spend two weeks back to back at camp Lu-Jo. It is great place, and is home away from home. God did some pretty cool things once again and am thrilled to get to be a part of his work in the kingdom.

2nd week was awesome as always. One night the speaker was making a point about God’s promises, and a double rainbow appeared. It was pretty breathtaking. As if that wasn’t enough, a cloud also appeared in the shape of a vertical pillar. It was as if God was boldly declaring, “I am here, don’t forget it. My promises are true!”

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This Friday, I am taking a group of adults and kids to Colorado for Wilderness Trek. We will spend several days hiking, bonding, growing, and enjoying God’s creation and each other’s company. We are so blessed to get to witness the beauty of His creation from 14,000 feet.