missions and prayer.

I've been looking through a bunch of international missions web sites lately. It's lighting a fire inside of me that I've been praying for. The more that I read about missions work the more I believe that missions is something that God has been preparing me for. It's exciting and intimidating at the same time.

If you pray, I'd love some prayer for discernment for Lauren and I as we wait on the Lord for his perfect timing.

Weather and Praise-a-Thons

I was quite disappointed with the lack of snow. I realize that there aren't too many on my side with that comment. When I heard about the potential snow, my anticipation for my day at NOVO grew. I pictured myself sitting in the quite lobby sipping on a warm cup of coffee reading to pass the time. I pictured watching the snow fall onto a still parking lot.

Needless to say I was a little disappointed. But when I read this, it all made sense.

I have a slight rant up on my Wordpress blog. Please don't be offended that I didn't post it here. All you need to do is click here and you'll be whisked away to the post.

Enjoy the sun my friends.

posts and links

I've got a few new posts up at Wordpress. Nothing too exciting, but I do make a big confession in one post. That should make you want to look.

Also, I posted some thoughts from our prayer time last night. Thank you to those who were there. It's been good to pray with you over the past few weeks. I'll be posting church-type reflections here.

And if you're looking for good short stories to pass some time during your day, check out "The Daily Dime."

Enjoy the sun while it's out. Take a moment to feel the cold breeze on your face. Thank the Lord for the shelter you have to retreat to.

I feel like Cuyler.

two new blogs. nothing new to say. what can I say, I was intrigued by Wordpress.

Another personal one
and
one for church stuff


[edited 4/11: thanks Todd for the help.]


enjoy.

comment problems

I'm not sure what happened, but for some reason there isn't a option to post a comment on my last post. Sorry. I'm sure there's hundreds of people who wanted to comment but couldn't. Feel free to comment here if you want to.

If I had the time...

Another slow day; another great cup of coffee. When I sat down to write yesterday I didn't expect to write the words that I did. I expected to write some thoughts that have been working through my mind. So today I'll write.

If I had the time....

... I would write about the first few weeks of being married. Being married is wonderful. It has been great to know that however busy Lauren or I are we get to "come home" to each other. "Home" has been a great thing for us. I feel at such peace when I'm with her. It has been good to learn new ways to love her. I love having the opportunity of making her breakfast and a sack lunch on days that she has to work. I love knowing that she is coming home to me when she gets off of work. It is work, though. Marriage certainly doesn't make everything perfect. But we weren't naive, we knew things would be difficult too. The "difficult" things are things that I don't think that we could have prepared for. They are the subtleties of our separate lives that are becoming one flesh. It's been good to talk to other married people. They nod their head with a smirk that reveals an unspoken understanding. I don't think any amount of dating or engagement could fully prepare us for marriage. I've talked with people who dated for 3 years before they got married-same thing.

...if I had the time I would write more.

... I would write about the wedding and the honeymoon. Both things seem to be a nothing but a blur. During the wedding I could tell that time was moving fast, which I assumed would cause my memories of the day to play back in fast forward. Even as a blur, it was a wonderful day. We were surrounded with family and friends who care about us. The downside to the day is that we didn't have the time that we wanted to spend with those who came to see us. The time during the honeymoon seemed to pass at a normal speed. Our time was peaceful. The complaint though, we should have stayed longer. We really had only three days there. It would have been nice to have more time away. But it was wonderful and restful.

...if I had the time I would write more.

... I would write more than just congratulations to Giles and Emily, and Todd and Micah. Both of you couples are in different places that Lauren and I were when we were engaged, but I feel confident in saying that this path that you are now on will be more rewarding and more difficult then the path that got you to this place.
Giles- I'm happy for you. Continue to place your relationship with GOD before every thing else. GOD has been working in you to mold you into a man that is ready for marriage. Don't neglect that relationship and expect yourself to continue to grow.
Todd and Micah- It's been fun to see you two grow closer together over the past 2+ years. I've seen you grow as individuals and as a couple. Surround yourselves with people who encourage you to be yourselves, but are willing to challenge you in why you do it.

...if I had the time I would write more.

... I would write more about what GOD is doing at church. I've wanted to write weekly about what is going on. We've shared meals together. Prayed together. Studied together. Laughed together. Cried together. I would love to commit time to write about all of these things. I am learning so much about church by being in community with you. I believe that GOD is preparing us for great things if we are willing to submit to his plan for our lives. I see the anticipation in many of your eyes. GOD is moving. GOD is answering our prayers. The sick will be healed. The lost will be found. GOD will be glorified.

...if I had the time I would write more.

clarity and patience

Another slow day at work allows me some time to sit and reflect. So as I sip my Elida Estate , brewed in a French Press, I'll share a bit of what's been on my mind. [side note: NOVO received a Best Of award from Westword.]

I've wanted to write. I really have. But it seems that any time I would sit to write I would lose any clarity that I had. Clarity is one thing that I have been praying for lately. My mind races with words, images, and sounds for every topic I try to focus on: marriage, church, work, family, friends, missions, school. They all hold their own set of confusion. Clarity seems to be the thing to pray for in this situation, doesn't it? I want to be able to see clearly. I want to know what is in front of me. I want to know where GOD is working. I read a quote a few weeks ago that has challenged me in this thinking. I wish I could remember the author. I would love to give the credit. "Do not pray for clarity; pray for patience." I had to mull this over for many days before I started to understand. In my prayers for clarity, I was wanted knowledge and understanding. However in pray and seeking for patience I would have to force myself to a place of faith. Today my prayer has been for patience. I am confident that GOD is in control of all areas of my life. I believe that GOD is working in ways that I can't see and in ways that I'm not looking for. I think my desire for clarity took me to a place where I was wanting to control what was around. Patience, on the other hand, admits that it doesn't always have control. I was reading Paul's letter to the church in Colosse, and the first part of his letter was something that I spent some time reading and rereading.

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints-- the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Paul's prayer for the church, at this time, was that they would have "great endurance and patience." I wonder if it was the prayers for endurance and patience that worked through this church to be known for it's faith? As I've thought more about praying for patience rather than clarity, I'm reminded that patience is a characteristic that shows the Spirit is active in my life. Paul puts it in a list that we call the "Fruits of the Spirit." The clarity I was praying for was primarily for my own benefit. It was for my peace of mind. (I think that this kind of clarity that I was praying for is different that praying for a prophetic kind of clarity. That's a whole 'nother topic) But having patience is something that could and should point to the Spirit's work in my life.

During the past two weeks I look at a countless number of job postings. What an awful thing for anyone to do. I looked at all types of jobs: clerical, labor, retail, restaurants, hospitality. One job stuck out more than the rest. It was a job working at a landscaping yard. I sent my resume to them and received a response that they had filled the position. I was so frustrated because that was the only job that I felt like I would enjoy doing. I prayed that GOD would grant me patience as I continued the search. Tuesday I received and email that let me know that they were looking to hire one more person at part time, and wanted to know if I was interested. Wednesday I went in for an interview. They offered me the job, and I took it. GOD has answered my prayers. Not only did I find a job, but I've gained an understanding and desire for more patience in my life.

One area of my life down, six to go.

I'm back.

I haven't posted in 27 days. It's been a busy month. My job as the Satellite coordinator ended March 1. I was married on March 18th. The disenfranchised group of people from Satellite have formed a home church called, at least for now, "the experiment." Life has been busy. But I'm excited to be home and getting used to married life. I'm sure there will be plenty of posts on that in the months to come.

Our wedding was beautiful. Thank you to all of you who were with us. Our honeymoon was relaxing and fun. It's been wonderful getting used to sleeping next to someone every night.

Preaching Re-Imagined::section 3:chapter 4

The Roots of Speaching

Much of this chapter, Doug explains some changes that took place through the history of the church that led to sermons into the well crafted speaches. Back in the day (pre-industrial reformation) rural communities would have a residential pastor along with their own community's church. With the industrial reformation and people migrating into the cities the days of a "residential pastor" were fleeting. This opened the door for the itinerant preacher to come in, set up shop (large tent) and preach to a large community. Doug wrote:

Over time the issue in the minds of the pastor and parishioner was not How are we living with GOD? but What do you have for me to hear?

This transition in mindset made a lot of sense when I thought about it. Having a pastor directly involved and living in the community would allow them to ask the question How are we living..., and when the transition happened that would change the relationship between the pastor and parishioners.

A quote without context, but I believe that it stands strong on its own:

It's difficult to justify the more natural exression when the synthetic has become the norm.

and one more:

But we will flourish in settings where there is dialogue, where we become part of the learning and growing process of our congregations--not just as leaders, but as peole who are also learning and growing--in ways we never imagined possible.

The last quote seems a bit sensationalized, but I like it.

a day of reflection

Yesterday was my last day at 4Cs. I spent the morning cleaning out my office. It wasn’t very difficult-there wasn’t much there. It did take me a few hours because I found that I kept stopping to reflect on things that I found. Here’s some things I remember about Satellite; more specifically, things I’m proud of. I’ll try to remember them in chronological order. If I’m leaving anything out, or if you have a different perspective on things please let me know.

I remember two summers ago when Donnie and I started to gather a “core team” of people who desired to see a ministry for college/young adults/young families start in Arvada. I remember those meetings we had at the Hinshaw’s house. We shared food, had incredible moments of worship, read Scripture together in a way that made it come alive, and shared openly about our frustrations and desires for what could be. I remember moments together when we would sit in silence and allow GOD to send the Spirit to speak to us. I remember tears. Even as I’m reminiscing, tears are forming in my eyes. Those meetings were beautiful.

I remember the “HomeTeam Kick Off.” I remember the group of 50 people that met at the Depot at Five Parks. I remember meeting people there who have now become great friends. We had people who wanted to be apart of a HomeTeam in Thornton, at CSU, at Western, commuting college students in Arvada, young adults, young married couples with kids. I remember sitting in a big circle and looking around and trusting that GOD had big plans for us. I also remember the chili. Roger made some dang good chili.

I remember the two preview services that we had that fall. I was so anxious about those. We had people coming early to volunteer for all kinds of things. Set up/tear down teams, a team to make things look nice, worship team, greeting/ushering teams, prayer teams, and I sure we had a few more. I remember the energy that was palpable for those services. I remember starting every service by standing in a circle, hearing scripture read aloud, and praying together. I remember serving hotdogs downtown after both preview services.

I remember hearing stories from the group that went to Habitat for Humanity. There’s a story about painting a forklift. I heard that that opportunity to serve brought that group of seemingly random people together.

I remember the strong desire to just start meeting weekly, and not wait till the New Year. But we waited. I remember when we started to meet weekly. I remember how that we really helpful to forming a larger community.

I remember how we created one:twentyseven and committed to serve others in some capacity every month. I remember taking chili downtown; I think we served 150 cups. I remember bringing socks and blankets and jackets and gloves to people who needed them. But what I remember most is talking with people down there. I remember seeing Satellite people engaged in authentic conversation with people. I remember having a smile on my face as I saw Satellite people scattered all around those two blocks sitting in the dirt to talk with people. I remember when we were able to remember names and faces of those living on the street.

I remember hearing about the joys and struggles of being a HomeTeam. I remember the perseverance of some to keep a struggling group together. I remember hearing who some found life through their group. I remember hearing about the prayer that became the life source of the group. I remember hearing about kids waiting for a certain person to be done so they could play beauty shop. I remember the need to start another group because one had become too big. I remember that those groups were not just a Bible study. Those groups were places for laughter, tears, confession, confrontation, and growth. I remember that life was found in those groups.

I remember going through the tough decision to start meeting on Sunday nights. I remember being concerned for those who couldn’t be with us on Sunday. I remember moving into the sanctu-nasium. It was great to have all that space to spread out during the time of worship.

I remember ultimate-Frisbee.

I remember the summer when every week was a different group of people, yet despite all the changes those nights were great. I remember going from 35 people one week to 8 people the next, and being certain that GOD was moving regardless of who was there. I remember the move to tables and chairs. We started experimenting with what Satellite really was. We had nights when we didn’t do any music for worship. I remember nights of corporate silence. I remember writing together. I remember singing together.

I remember when we felt comfortable as a group of 20.

I remember moving into the Fellowship Center.

I remember the Thanksgiving we shared together. That was some good food. Mmm, sweet-potato casserole. I remember meeting for “core” meetings to talk about Spiritual Gifts, how we can serve better, and what dreams/visions we had for what Satellite could be. I remember Christmas Caroling. And the Christmas Party.

I remember trying to figure out what we were going to do after each Satellite. Old Chicago, Chili’s, Spudnutz, Chipotle.

I remember being uncertain of what the future held, but being certain that we were heading in the right direction. I think it was those last two months when we felt most comfortable with who we were as a group.


Certainly, there were times of frustration, confusion, regret, disappointment, and fear. We said good-bye to people leaving our HomeTeams. We said good-bye to HomeTeams. We said good-bye to Donnie and his family. We never knew who would show up each week. We lost focus, a lot. We didn’t care enough for people inside or outside of Satellite. There were moments of alienation for some people.

I am certain that everything that happened with Satellite was not beyond GOD’s reach. I am convinced that GOD was pleased with what has happened over the last year and a half. I believe that Satellite has not been a failure.

If you have any other memories to remind me of, please let me know, I would love to hear them.

an experimentation in ecclesia

Last night was the last "official" Satellite gathering. It felt something like a two sided coin. On one side, the end of Satellite has been vague and frustrating. On the other, the end is taking us to a place of excitement and adventure. The end of Satellite has been vague because there has been little communication between the leadership of the church and myself. I received a letter yesterday that was supposed to be sent to me two months ago that had the details of the end of my position. Two months of not knowing when my last day was, and when I asked the response was that it would be March 4, but the letter says February 28. I haven't been pushing for the continuation of Satellite because I desperately want the church to have a passion for the generation that doesn't feel welcome in any church. This church has been my home church since I moved out to Colorado; it was the reason I moved 2000 miles across the country. My heart is burdened for this church, yet at the same time my heart is excited for the community of Satellite.

The future of the Satellite community is exciting to me. I feel as though we are moving into an experimentation of what we think church is supposed to be. An experiment of ecclesia, if you will. I don’t know if everyone who is currently apart of Satellite will continue with us. That is an aspect of the current expression of Satellite that I wish would not we would not have to deal with, but I realize that it is a reality of change. In the same way, change will draw people to us. Within Satellite’s history there have been moments of change that show this reality. We originally met on Saturday nights, and when we switched to Sunday nights we experienced the shift in people. The same thing happened when Donnie left; people who were drawn to Donnie left and there were some who were drawn to me that started to come. I’m certain that there will be some of the people who we care very much for that will choose to be a part of a different community. I’m at peace with that.

There was a small group of people that met last Tuesday to talk about what we desired to see happen with our community. We didn’t have any great revelation of where we were going, but something very significant happened. At the beginning of our time together we spent time in prayer, and several people prayed that GOD would give us unity of thought as we moved forward. I believed that GOD answered this prayer. As we all shared our thoughts and hope we all seemed to be on the same page. This, I believe, is a huge blessing to the start of something that we are able to see yet. As we continue to meet and dream and plan, I’m going to ask that those who want to be involved with this experiment will continue to pray that. I’m convinced that the only way for us to move forward with any form of “church,” is to be united in our thoughts. I know that there will be times that we will disagree on things. But I’ve been praying that GOD will bring people around us that have a heart for what is going on and who want to be fully involved. I’ve also been praying that GOD will protect us from people who don’t share the vision. I think that if there will be one thing that will harm us as a community is people who are apathetic about what we are doing. Apathetic people can be a distraction from the purpose of the group. Also, apathetic people can offer subtle comments that cause dissention with the community. I don’t think it’s too bold to ask that GOD protect us from that.

I’ll end with a quote from a book I’m reading. The book is called Houses that Change the World and is written by Wolfgang Simson. I found a draft copy of the book in a PDF format. I printed it off and I’d like to pass it around to people a section at a time. I think it would be cool for everyone to read it, make notes on it, and then pass it on to someone else. Cuyler, you’re up first. No pressure. Here’s a paragraph that Simson starts the book of with under the heading “Too good to be true?”

Being brought up in ”Christian” Germany with churches everywhere, I have always felt that there must be something exciting about the Church which Jesus started and about which I read in the New Testament - but somehow I have yet to discover what it is. I dreamed - together with many friends and colleagues, of a church, that is as simple as One-Two-Three, yet is dynamic; an explosive thing, able to turn the world and a neighborhood upside down. The church as a supernatural invention; endowed with God’s gift of immortality; the way to disciple each other, and to transfer the life of Jesus to each other. An experience of grace and grapes, love and laughter, joy and jellybeans, forgiveness and fun, power and - yes, why not, paper. A church, which does not need much finances, rhetoric, control and manipulation, which can do without powerful and charismatic heroes, which is non-religious at heart, which can thrill people to the core, make them loose their head for joy, and simply teach us The Way to live. The church which not only has a message, but is the message; which spreads like an unstoppable virus, infects whatever it touches, and ultimately covers the Earth with the glory and knowledge of God. It’s power stems from it’s inventor, who has equipped it with the most genius spiritual genetical code - a sort of heavenly DNA, which allows it to transfer and reproduce Kingdom values from Heaven to Earth, and transform not only water into wine, but atheists into fascinated apostles, policewomen into prophetesses, terrorists into teachers, plumbers into pastors, and dignified village elders into beaming evangelists in the process. It is like a spiritual family - organic, not organized, relational, not formal; it has a persecution-proof structure, matures under tears, multiplies under pressure, grows under the carpet, flourishes in the desert, sees in the dark, and thrives on chaos. A church that can multiply like two fish and five breads in the Hands of Jesus, were the fathers turn their hearts to the sons and the sons their hearts to the fathers, were it’s people are it’s resources, and which has only one name to brag about, the Lamb of God.

Preaching Re-Imagined::section two:chapter 3

Peter and Cornelius

Doug uses the interaction between Peter and Cornelius as an "exceptionally clear" picture of progressional dialogue. He mentions the misunderstanding of the Jewish people believing that Gentile believers would need to become Jewish to fully follow Jesus. Does this sound familiar at all. We might not be talking in terms of Jewish and Gentiles, but maybe Republican and Democrat might be a bit more applicable.

If you need a summery of the story here it goes. You can read about in Acts 10 and 11. Cornelius is a Gentile who fears GOD. Cornelius goes to the temple and is involved in all the activities that he can, as a Gentile. An angel appears to Cornelius and tells him to send some people to Joppa and to bring Peter back with them. The men go and while they are on they're journey Peter had a vision, too. Peter's get a vision of a sheet that has all "unclean" animals on it. GOD told Peter to eat the animals, but Peter said that he would never do that because he didn't want to defile himself that way. Peter is awaken from his vision by the men that Cornelius sent. Peter goes with the men back to Cornelius and it is at Cornelius' house that we see the full extent of Peter's vision. Peter understands that the Gentiles are part of the story GOD had for the Jewish nation too. This is a big deal. Especially if you remember that many of the Jewish leaders expected the Gentile to convert to Judaism to follow Jesus. This proved that Gentiles could go before GOD through Jesus on their own.

The rest of the story is pretty cool. You should read it for yourself and tell me what you think. Here's a quote from the book that I really enjoy:

I don't think it's an overstatement to say Peter was forced to rethink all he had done to this point.

I realize that my life isn't quite at the juxtaposition that Peter's was, but I feel as if right now I'm in a period of rethinking everything I've thought about ministry. I'm certain that's a good thing. I'm glad several of you are on the journey with me.

Lent

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. Ashes are placed on our foreheads while being reminded to turn away from sin and to be faithful to the gospel. The ashes that are used are taken from the ashes of the burned palm branches that were used in last years Palm Sunday service. This is a beautiful picture of redemption for these symbols of Lent. The Palm leaves that are used to rejoice in Jesus' triumphal entry are also used as a reminder of our sin.

There are three pillars of the Lenten season. Those are Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving.

Prayer: There are numerous resources to aid you with prayers through the season of lent. I will probably use several different one to help give me a broader perspective of what Lent means. I think I'd like to use this time to seek GOD's direction for where Satellite is going.

Fasting: I originally thought that I would give up caffeine for Lent, but I'm having second thoughts. Not because I want caffeine, but because I think GOD has something different for me to fast from. For now, I'm going to give up caffeine, but I'm not going to be surprised if that changes.

Almsgiving: I have been praying that GOD will offer opportunities for Lauren and I to give to those in need who live around us. There have already been opportunities for me to give to those in need, and I expect that this Lenten season will offer other opportunities.

And now a pray for the day:
Almighty and everlasting God, you despise nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our brokenness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

thoughts on prayer:

These are not my words. But since I've read them they haven't left my head.

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair grows in me
and I wake in the middle of the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water,
and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind starts
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Wendell Berry, Collected Poems

Prosperity Gospel at it's finest:

Pastor Mac Hammond said the media and many Christians don't understand the prosperity gospel. "God says if you base your life on his covenant, these blessings are gonna overtake you; you can't do anything about it, friend. [What was once] flocks and herds is in today's parlance stocks and bonds.

"It takes wealth, folks, to establish God's covenant on this Earth. You and I will never get so spiritual that we don't need money to get more influential in the world we're in."

If this doesn't make you sick, read the rest of the article. The article does say that out of a $34 million gross revenue the church gives $3 million to charitable causes and evangelism, [edited on 2.21 read the comments, join the fun.] If you check out their website you'll find the typical mega-church format. Listen to a sermon and you'll find a lot of self back-patting, and chest-puffing. Of course, it's hard to talk about a ministry without any personal involvement. I listened to a sermon and heard these words:

"It takes wealth, folks, to establish GOD's covenant in this earth. You and I will never get so spiritual that we don't need money to be more influential in the world that we live in. It takes money to buy air time. It takes money to become highly visible. It takes money to influence a community.
"The world is not moved by poverty. There's enough of that. If you've got hole's in your shoes there not too interested in what you have to say, friend.
"You can't even obey the mandate to love without being financially prosperous. Because love means to give, to be a blessing to somebody else. If you hadn't got anything to give you cant even love."

Does this bother anyone else? He's preaching that you can't love if your not prosperous. Then on top of this he started to preach that the Bible teaches that ministers should be paid double everyone because that way they are able to minister out of what they know. He also said something to the effect that if the enemy keeps the preacher living in poverty through tradition then it keeps the congregation living below the standard that is available to them because the pastor is only able to teach about things that he/she has experienced.

I need to stop this post, I'm getting too worked up.
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Lord have mercy.

Thank You

After you all left our apartment last night I felt incredible peace about whatever lies in front of us. I know that you are committed to us as your friends and brothers and sisters. My relationship with you comforts me through what can seem as a difficult time. I'm growing in excitement to see how GOD is forming us. I look forward to time when we can talk about how we can make an impact for the Kingdom of GOD on earth as it is in Heaven.

If any of my dear friends weren't with us last night, I want to say that I know you have reasons for not joining us, but my heart is with you. I'm sorry that I don't get to be a part of your journey these days.

2 thoughts for today

As I was studying for this weeks message I came upon some type of epiphany. I was look for verses that reference the "consolation of Israel," which is a name for the Messiah. It is found in Isaiah 12:1, 49:13. The "consolation of Israel" describes the Messiah as the comforter. In Isaiah 12 the prophet writes:

In that day you will say: "I will praise you, O LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me."

And in Isaiah 49 it is written:

Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.

OK, now my mind is running away. I've got two thoughts now.

1. I've grown up with a incomplete understanding of how the the books within the Bible intertwine. As I was reading these verses from Isaiah I was reminded that Isaiah was a prophet during the reign of Hezekiah. And then it hit me. The books of the prophets aren't random books written independently from other books. I realize that this might not be a great revelation to anyone else. I kind of knew that this was true but when I thought of it today it made a lot of sense. To add onto of this revelation the prophets, whose lives were intertwined with the rest of Israel's history continued to offer pictures of the Messiah which was to come. All of the prophets spoke about the Messiah. All the prophets eluded to a time when everything would be made right, and in this case, eluded to a time when GOD would comfort his people.
2. A characteristic of the Messiah was the "comforter" or one who offers the "consolation of Israel." Jesus fulfills the multitude of messianic prophecies including being the "consolation of Israel." The Greek word for 'comforter' is the transliterated word 'parakletos.' This word is used exclusively by the Apostle John, and is found in his gospel account of Jesus and in the first letter we have recorded. In the first of John's letters he calls Jesus the parakletos as a fulfillment of the prophecy.

   "My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if any one does sin, we have an advocate [parakletos] with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He is the expiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we may be sure that we know Him, if we keep His Commandments. He who says "I know Him" but disobeys His Commandments is a liar, and the Truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His Word, in him truly love for God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in Him: he who says He abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked." (1 John 2:1-6 RSV)

   In this letter, the word parakletos is most often translated as "advocate," but it is also referred to as "the one who speaks" or "one who pleads." This is the only time that parakletos is translated as advocate. In John's gospel account parakletos is translated as comforter. While in John's letter parakletos is in reference to Jesus, parakletos, in his account of the Gospel, refers to the Holy Spirit.

   Joh 14:16	And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter[parakletos], that he may abide with you for ever;
   Joh 14:26	But the Comforter[parakletos], which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
   Joh 15:26	But when the Comforter[parakletos] is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
   Joh 16:7	Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter[parakletos] will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

   The same word that is in reference to the Messiah is used for both Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Does this mean that the Messiah is still with us? In John 14:16 we read the words of Jesus and he says that he "will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever." (NIV; emphasis is mine) If this word parakletos refers to the Messiah, then are these words of Jesus suggesting that the Messiah is with us forever? If this is true, what affect should this have on our understanding of salvation and atonement? This leads me to understand that our salvation isn't just future experience, but it is living inside of us through the presence of the Holy Spirit. This makes sense to me. I understand that we look toward the day when Christ will return for the completion of his Kingdom, but I've always felt as if salvation meant more than that. As we read the Jewish history throughout the pages of the Old Testament and Apocrypha or inter-testament period, we read about the Jewish people crying out for salvation from their present time, but also crying out for a salvation in the future. Is it possible, then that GOD, in his great mercy would send a Messiah for both our present times and also the future?

I never expected to write this much on this.
The thought hit me and I guess I've run with it.
This leave me much to think about-in a really good way.
I would love to hear what you think, even if it's an incomplete thought.

Preaching Re-Imagined::section 3:chapter 2

Understand Progressional Dialogue

I was surprised at the brevity of this chapter because I was hoping that I would be offered a greater understanding of progressional dialogue. Maybe that's typical of the mindset that we have been raised in-a box for everything, and everything in a box. Maybe my thoughts of progressional dialogue are to complex. Maybe it's much simpler than that.

This past Sunday I tried to offer the sermon through progressional dialogue. I started with a question, thrown out to everyone, about what they new about a person. People started responding and on occasion someone would take a comment in a different direction, but people would just roll with it. I did take time to expound things or seek clarity from the group and there were times when I was able to offer a directional understanding to the topic. Overall I felt very positive about it. I think that others felt that way, too.

Here's a quote from the chapter:

As pastors we spend years in theological training to make sure we know what we're talking about and that we're informed, educated leaders who won't toss out crazy ideas about GOD to the masses.

I think the attempt to try progressional dialogue is much easier for me because I haven't been through years of theological training. I don't have any degree in theo-anything. I got "B's" in high school Bible class. I continually question my understanding of the Bible and it's relationship within the context of a community of followers of Christ. There are many times in which I want to hear someone else's perspective on a particular passage or theme and this form of preaching allows that opportunity.

Doug often alludes to the Bible as becoming an member of the community. I like this imagery. I think that this places the Bible in the place of an active, living member of the community. Just in case I need to clarify, I'm not suggesting that we lower our expectation of GOD's Word to the place of a person who is casually attending the gatherings. I have the highest regard for the Scriptures because it has sustained thousands of years of Jewish and Christian history. That's something more than any of us can say.

Preaching Re-Imagined::section3:chapter 1

Section 3 is titled "A Move to Something New." This section starts what might be considered the "actual book." While it seems as though Doug uses the first two sections as an introduction--to prepare his audience for the "application" of his message--I wasn't surprised when this didn't necessarily prove true. Remember, Doug is trying to present his book as a conversation in the best way he can. The last two sections are filled with short chapters that seem to ask for participation. So here I go, attempting a form of conversation.

Chapter 1: Speaching vs. Preaching

I assume that one of the expectations for this book might be the hope of being told the "right way" to preach, or perhaps not the "right way," but the "new, hip way." At times I find myself looking for those new methods to doing things, but Doug points out that he isn't really suggesting a new method. He writes:

But to me there is no way to separate the method from the message. As I will argue throughout the book, the way we "speech" creates a certain understanding of GOD, faith, life, authority, and power that is detrimental to the message we are attempting to live and communicate as pastors.

I think that this statement proves why some people, regardless of method, fall into the same ruts. I wonder, though, if Doug's statement isn't backwards? I think that our understanding of GOD shapes the way we create "speeches." A.W. Tozer wrote that our view of GOD is the most important thing about us. Our view of GOD shapes every aspect of our life. If this is true then our view of GOD would certainly impact the way we preach about GOD. Doug wrote: "My contention is that this way of preaching hurts our communities." I wonder if some of this has to do with the struggle for some churches to create community? I wonder if the relationship between the pastor and the congregation is because of the pastors approach to preaching.

I've realized that even in the short time that I've been preaching, my approach to creating a message is shaped by my understanding and relationship with GOD. I have a feeling that this is something that will continue for years to come.

Thank you

Thank you, my friends. I was in a great need for community, and you came through.

Thank you for hanging in there when the future seems unclear. I’m not worried about the future when I’m with you guys.

Thank you for sharing with everyone during the message. It was wonderful to hear all of your thoughts, and not be limited to my perspective.

Thank you for the flexibility you provide. I don’t worry about starting or ending on time because you offer continuous graces.

Thank you for helping me understand what church is suppose to be about.