So there is this book I have been reading, a popular one I guess. It falls into the category of fiction and it appears to sit at the top of the list of religious fiction and has for sometime. I only mention this to say that this book is being read and clearly recommended and though I have not finished it I to recommend you give it a read. The Shack by William Young.
Like many great works of fiction The Shack breaks through her cover, through her story and begins to mingle with the ideas and thoughts of real life. If you were to read the back cover of the book you would find that The Shack is a story about a man who suffers great lost with the abduction of his daughter and in this man's pain God invites him to meet with Him in a Shack in the woods. When he gets to the shack he begins interacting with three beings that make up God. In one of the dinner conversations God is talking about humans addiction to independence and that in this search, desire, longing for independence we in many ways put space between ourselves and God.
So this idea of our pursuit for independence has got me thinking.
There is this idea out there that to be independent or to be self supporting means that you are strong and that strong is good. Right? Or does strong eventually turn into power?
Have you ever seen a marriage that is made up of two people who demand their independence? A marriage where they both want to be strong, both want to show that if they had to they could make it on their own. I have seen too many, and the sad prophecy of these marriages it that eventually they will get their opportunity to make it own their own.
Have you ever seen a team made up of team members who demand their independence? These are the sport stars who think that the game is really about them not the team. This is the guy in your office who works alone and always has the attitude that others are slowing him down. Because we live in a culture addicted to independence some of these people "succeed" but the health and success of the team members suffers greatly.
Maybe independence is not really a Kingdom trait? Maybe dependency is?
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Matt 6:9-10
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matt 26:39
Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” Matt 26:42
The words and actions of Jesus seem to communicate an incredible dependence and yielding to the Father. Next time you read through one of the gospels conscientiously look at Jesus dependence on God the Father.
We have talked about the Kingdom being salt among blandness, light among darkness and that in many ways it's counterculture. Maybe being weak and desperately dependent people is a Kingdom trait we need to reclaim.
I think it is easy to read the life stories of Peter and Paul and think that they were strong independent men who boldly lived out their faith. But if we look closer I think what we see is weak and extremely dependent men.
For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for.
2 Cor. 13:9
What if instead of hiding and covering our weaknesses we showcased them and in doing so displayed our pathetic and desperate dependency on God. Then maybe we the church, the servants of the King would get out of the way and the world around us would see the ultimate reality- the glorious throne of King Jesus.
I'm a pastor who is sick of acting strong. I am so weak, so sinful.
May we allow each other to be weak and sinful so that we can become pathetically dependent on Jesus; so that in that dependency we can be made pure and the world can see the King not us.
God, I am so prideful and work to be independent and impressive. Please make me unimpressive, make me weak. We apologize for trying to steal the show, for making it more about us and less about you. We don't depend on you much but we want to, help us Jesus. Help us be a people that pathetically depend on you.
In the name of King Jesus, Amen.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Desperate to Meet Jesus
There are stories within our lives that surface often whether because of extreme pain or joy, maybe because through that experience great change took place, or whatever happen was stupid hilarious. Whatever the case may be these chapters of our lives beg to be retold time and time again.
There is a story tucked in the pages of the gospel that amazes and inspires me every time I read it. And for me it begs to be retold; and retold it was this week to no other then a group of 5th and 6th graders. As I shared this story as if it were my own I could not deny the Kingdom implications.
I encourage you to pull out your Bible and take a look at it yourself. (Luke 5:17-26, Mark 2:1-12, Matt 9:1-8)
Here is the story in my own words.
There is a group of five friends who enjoy hanging out we don't have all the info but one of these friends can't walk, he is a paralytic. Maybe it was an accident later in their teen years doing something they shouldn't have been, maybe he was born without the ability to walk. We don't know but we know the group of five were tight, they did life together. Word hits the street that Jesus (who had grown recent fame) had returned home. Jesus has received his fame due to his teaching and his ability to heal. The five decide to go meet Jesus so that they all can walk, even though this would throw off their even numbers for sporting events but it is always good to have a sub. We don't know how far the four carried their buddy, might have been a few hundred yards maybe a lot more, regardless they were committed to getting him to Jesus believing that this was just a one way trip. They get to the house Jesus is teaching in and it is packed. No way to squeeze a person in let alone five including a bed. But they are desperate to get to Jesus. Then one of them had a crazy idea. Desperate people are crazy. I can see it all play out, "Dude, we know Jesus is in there, has to be in the main room of the house which would be just about there. " Then a classic MacGyver moment plays out. "Does anyone have some rope? Check. Does anyone have a Roman Army Knife? Check. How about a hammer or two? Check." "To the roof my friends." The five make their way to the roof and begin to make a hole. Friend gets lowered before Jesus, sins are forgiven, then healing takes place. Man walks home with friends carrying his own bed this time.
We could go so many places with this story but I want to highlight a characteristic we see in Kingdom Living. Desperation to be with Jesus.
How desperate are we to be with Jesus?
How desperate are we to be side by side with Him as He reveals His name in the dark places around us?
I don't think I am that desperate. How many of you have heard someone say, "God keeps closing doors, so I guess He is desiring something else of me." Not only have I heard this ... I have said this. What if the paralytics friends thought this way. I wouldn't blame them. ALL THE DOORS WERE BLOCKED! They would have left unchanged, unhealed, and really tired. But that is not how it went down. Maybe they thought Satan is the one in the habit of closing doors so they got a little crazy. They got a little creative. And they took a huge risk- they didn't know how Jesus would react but they believed and acted out of faith that Jesus would heal.
Isn't it time for God's people to get a little crazy, get a little creative, and step out of that little box we call church. Isn't it time we ask God in and through His grace to help us believe and act rather then waiting for all the answers and data on our next move to come in. I think it is time to desperately seek the face and work of Jesus.
But watch out, some of our own will try to stop you, but I heard the thrill of the ride is worth it.
I wouldn't know yet...but I think I am in line and the wait doesn't look to long. I might even try to cut to the front.
Maybe I'll see you out there-I bet the view is awesome!
There is a story tucked in the pages of the gospel that amazes and inspires me every time I read it. And for me it begs to be retold; and retold it was this week to no other then a group of 5th and 6th graders. As I shared this story as if it were my own I could not deny the Kingdom implications.
I encourage you to pull out your Bible and take a look at it yourself. (Luke 5:17-26, Mark 2:1-12, Matt 9:1-8)
Here is the story in my own words.
There is a group of five friends who enjoy hanging out we don't have all the info but one of these friends can't walk, he is a paralytic. Maybe it was an accident later in their teen years doing something they shouldn't have been, maybe he was born without the ability to walk. We don't know but we know the group of five were tight, they did life together. Word hits the street that Jesus (who had grown recent fame) had returned home. Jesus has received his fame due to his teaching and his ability to heal. The five decide to go meet Jesus so that they all can walk, even though this would throw off their even numbers for sporting events but it is always good to have a sub. We don't know how far the four carried their buddy, might have been a few hundred yards maybe a lot more, regardless they were committed to getting him to Jesus believing that this was just a one way trip. They get to the house Jesus is teaching in and it is packed. No way to squeeze a person in let alone five including a bed. But they are desperate to get to Jesus. Then one of them had a crazy idea. Desperate people are crazy. I can see it all play out, "Dude, we know Jesus is in there, has to be in the main room of the house which would be just about there. " Then a classic MacGyver moment plays out. "Does anyone have some rope? Check. Does anyone have a Roman Army Knife? Check. How about a hammer or two? Check." "To the roof my friends." The five make their way to the roof and begin to make a hole. Friend gets lowered before Jesus, sins are forgiven, then healing takes place. Man walks home with friends carrying his own bed this time.
We could go so many places with this story but I want to highlight a characteristic we see in Kingdom Living. Desperation to be with Jesus.
How desperate are we to be with Jesus?
How desperate are we to be side by side with Him as He reveals His name in the dark places around us?
I don't think I am that desperate. How many of you have heard someone say, "God keeps closing doors, so I guess He is desiring something else of me." Not only have I heard this ... I have said this. What if the paralytics friends thought this way. I wouldn't blame them. ALL THE DOORS WERE BLOCKED! They would have left unchanged, unhealed, and really tired. But that is not how it went down. Maybe they thought Satan is the one in the habit of closing doors so they got a little crazy. They got a little creative. And they took a huge risk- they didn't know how Jesus would react but they believed and acted out of faith that Jesus would heal.
Isn't it time for God's people to get a little crazy, get a little creative, and step out of that little box we call church. Isn't it time we ask God in and through His grace to help us believe and act rather then waiting for all the answers and data on our next move to come in. I think it is time to desperately seek the face and work of Jesus.
But watch out, some of our own will try to stop you, but I heard the thrill of the ride is worth it.
I wouldn't know yet...but I think I am in line and the wait doesn't look to long. I might even try to cut to the front.
Maybe I'll see you out there-I bet the view is awesome!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
A Thought on Prayer
Some people seem to have the gift of prayer. Some people seem to be prayer warriors.
Well, I use to think that.
I think for a long time the above way of thinking was a convenient excuse for me sucking at prayer. But to my understanding no where in scripture is there prayer warriors or people gifted in prayer. But rather prayer is a constant presence in the life of King Jesus servants. No exceptions, no excuses.
So with my main excuse out in the open I have begun to pursue a life of prayer (I have a ridiculously long ways to go).
Here is the first bend in this journey I literally just started.
Families should pray together, right? I know some pray before meals with ease and regularity but what about praying with your spouse? I have the incredible blessing to have a few men to hang with whenever we have time and the subject of praying with our wives came up. Now we all love Jesus, most of the time, but in our honesty we confessed we never really prayed with our wives unless urgent prayer concerning family arise. As a pastor I was embarrassed to admit it, shouldn't all godly men pray with their wives.
Why not? Was it pride? Was it the idea of spiritual vulnerability. For me I think it was both of these. So I took the plunge a week ago and it was awkward and weird at first but it has been awesome. The crazy thing is that my wife years ago asked for this but in my stubbornness and insecurity I made excuses.
It has only been a week but I pray that with Jesus help we will develop a marriage and family devoted to praying together.
Jesus, thank you for Your unique desire to have conversations with us. Please give us a deep desire to slow our busy lives down and hear your loving voice. We pray that within our marriages and families conversations with you will be desired and will happen often. Continue to remove the pride of our hearts and make us a people who are vulnerable before the King.
In King Jesus name, Amen.
Well, I use to think that.
I think for a long time the above way of thinking was a convenient excuse for me sucking at prayer. But to my understanding no where in scripture is there prayer warriors or people gifted in prayer. But rather prayer is a constant presence in the life of King Jesus servants. No exceptions, no excuses.
So with my main excuse out in the open I have begun to pursue a life of prayer (I have a ridiculously long ways to go).
Here is the first bend in this journey I literally just started.
Families should pray together, right? I know some pray before meals with ease and regularity but what about praying with your spouse? I have the incredible blessing to have a few men to hang with whenever we have time and the subject of praying with our wives came up. Now we all love Jesus, most of the time, but in our honesty we confessed we never really prayed with our wives unless urgent prayer concerning family arise. As a pastor I was embarrassed to admit it, shouldn't all godly men pray with their wives.
Why not? Was it pride? Was it the idea of spiritual vulnerability. For me I think it was both of these. So I took the plunge a week ago and it was awkward and weird at first but it has been awesome. The crazy thing is that my wife years ago asked for this but in my stubbornness and insecurity I made excuses.
It has only been a week but I pray that with Jesus help we will develop a marriage and family devoted to praying together.
Jesus, thank you for Your unique desire to have conversations with us. Please give us a deep desire to slow our busy lives down and hear your loving voice. We pray that within our marriages and families conversations with you will be desired and will happen often. Continue to remove the pride of our hearts and make us a people who are vulnerable before the King.
In King Jesus name, Amen.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Jesus and the Little Children
It seem that Jesus takes about every chance he gets to connect something about children and the Kingdom of God.
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
What exactly does it mean to become like children? It seems like the disciples reach a point from time to time where they thought they had become something important. So important that kids were a waste of time or just in the way. At these moments Jesus invites the children to "interrupt" his day.
There must be something that children get about the Kingdom that we tend to lose as adults?
Maybe it is their innocence? Maybe it has to do with them dreaming big? Maybe it is that kids are not weighed down by worries? Maybe it's because they don't know what it means to be serious? Or maybe their just OK with being themselves?
Maybe this week we could take a lessons or two in Kingdom Living from those a few feet shorter. Drop your worries, drop your pride and spend sometime with a child and maybe just maybe we will see what Jesus saw that reflects his Kingdom here on earth.
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
What exactly does it mean to become like children? It seems like the disciples reach a point from time to time where they thought they had become something important. So important that kids were a waste of time or just in the way. At these moments Jesus invites the children to "interrupt" his day.
There must be something that children get about the Kingdom that we tend to lose as adults?
Maybe it is their innocence? Maybe it has to do with them dreaming big? Maybe it is that kids are not weighed down by worries? Maybe it's because they don't know what it means to be serious? Or maybe their just OK with being themselves?
Maybe this week we could take a lessons or two in Kingdom Living from those a few feet shorter. Drop your worries, drop your pride and spend sometime with a child and maybe just maybe we will see what Jesus saw that reflects his Kingdom here on earth.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Suffering and Kingdom Living
I am a Christian who happens to live in America and I honestly don't know if I understand or have experienced true suffering. To many this might be a good realization and some might even say it is a blessing but I think I have come to disagree with this. Suffering is a natural by-product of the Kingdom.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. " Matthew 5:10-12
The words of Jesus seem pretty clear to me- People of the Kingdom suffer.
Suffering was a common companion of the Apostle Paul. Take a glance at his back and you would have seen the result of one who suffered for the Kingdom. I also hear stories of our brothers and sisters in China, Iraq, and East Africa who share the same companion as Paul.
But what about us?
You know what scares me, if suffering is a natural by-product of Kingdom living and I have not experienced it then maybe I am missing out on the Kingdom of God here and now. Maybe I am not truly living out the words of Christ in Matthew 5, 6, and 7.
God,
May we suffer not for suffering sake but because our lives are aligned with Your Will and Your Kingdom. We need your grace, we need your power and we covet Your love.
In the Name of King Jesus, Amen.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. " Matthew 5:10-12
The words of Jesus seem pretty clear to me- People of the Kingdom suffer.
Suffering was a common companion of the Apostle Paul. Take a glance at his back and you would have seen the result of one who suffered for the Kingdom. I also hear stories of our brothers and sisters in China, Iraq, and East Africa who share the same companion as Paul.
But what about us?
You know what scares me, if suffering is a natural by-product of Kingdom living and I have not experienced it then maybe I am missing out on the Kingdom of God here and now. Maybe I am not truly living out the words of Christ in Matthew 5, 6, and 7.
God,
May we suffer not for suffering sake but because our lives are aligned with Your Will and Your Kingdom. We need your grace, we need your power and we covet Your love.
In the Name of King Jesus, Amen.
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