It's been a month since my last post. I have no clear idea of why I dried up a bit other than I didn't have that urge to comment on what I was experiencing or thinking about; nothing felt very compelling. I didn't want to fill your reading space with blah-bady-blah-blah.
But what I experienced yesterday morning caught my attention. First, let me give a little background. On December 27th of last year I wrote a blog entitled Wandering From My Comfort Zone Last Week:
http://oldmenplantingchurches.blogspot.com/2013/12/wandering-from-my-comfort-zone-last-week.html. In it I talked about how my Lord:
"continues putting me into situations where I've never been. They are
more stretching than the ones before because I have either no actual
expertise in the task or new adventure I tackle, or I feel exposed
because doing so increasingly puts me in circles of relationship new or
foreign to me. Looking back over five and a half years, I recognize
coming to Northampton has been one continuing series of new encounters
and endeavors involving all sorts of folks I've never really been
around."
I've learned in fits and starts to see following as His disciple includes many opportunities for stretching and deepening. Spiritual maturity is not a vitamin you can take daily with orange juice; it's a more like fitness training sessions where you're challenged incrementally to get stronger, be more flexible, endure more, and grow more ready to be of use when the Master summons you to a task, mission or journey.
Often too, God in His unparalleled wisdom will surprise us with one of those "what are you gonna do with this?" experiences. They are often unexpected, and "Oh, man! What???" unsettling. Yet they can yield astonishing growth.
Well, yesterday morning, I was on tap to give the message for my friend, Pastor Keith Tolley, at the Greenfield Alliance Church. It was to be the third time I'd spoken there. I know some of the folks because I counsel at the church one day a week. As you'd assumed, I did my preparation and felt ready to share what I'd been given. I also needed to pack a change of clothes because I'd be heading to Hopkinton right after to fetch Tricia and visit our son, daughter-in-law and grand-kiddoes. Normally, I don't wear a jacket and tie to speak as it's gotten more informal on Sunday morning in many churches. Yesterday, I just decided to dress more formally, so I'd need to change when I got to our kid's house. The morning was full of stuff to do.
So, off I went up I-91 for the half hour drive to Greenfield. About twenty minutes out I had an "OH NOOOO!" thought that I couldn't remember picking up my notes from the dining room table and either putting them in my backpack with the change of clothes, or carrying them by hand to the car. Realizing they were still at home, and I didn't have time to go back to retrieve them would normally give me panicky jolt of anxiety and thus ratchet up my ADD distractability. From past experience, I guarantee I'd be pretty disoriented.
You see, I'd never left my notes before in all the retreats, classes, seminars and sermons I'd given over the years. I like notes. They anchor my "oh, look ... a bird!" mind to what I'm trying to say. They're like a trusted co-pilot or navigator. They'd not get the chance this time.
But something remarkable and I'd almost say unique to my experience occurred. The Holy Spirit calmed me within a minute. It was physical. He quietly said I was to trust Him and speak without notes. He reminded me I had studied the passage, and it had been one of my favorite and most-used over the years, especially in retreat ministry. Within a minute, I turned from anxiety to I can do this and it'll be fine. The matter was settled as was I.
By the time I walked into the church, I at peace, engaging folks, and not fixated on trying to remember what I was going to say. Unexpected as well, as I came in, a couple of folks said warmly they were glad when they heard I was speaking and looking forward to it. Normally, from comments like that, I would've been jumping ahead in my mind to get focused...didn't happen. I grabbed a pew Bible so I had the passage to look at, and participated in worship until I got up to speak.
On I-91, I also sensed the Holy Spirit said it was OK to tell them I was sans notes, so I did. They laughed warmly, and off I went. With the Scripture in front of me and a clear mental sense of the key ideas and structure of my message, I dove in for thirty minutes. Even to me, I was being more focused and coherent; I went places I wouldn't normally, actually preaching the meaning of Matthew 11:28-30. I exposited the text and challenged them to respond to what one commentator referred to as: "an intimacy of fellowship" as His disciple, choosing to be closely yoked to Him and His teaching, because he was gentle and lowly in heart. I located the text to their experience as a church, exhorting them to come to Him, because of the the endearing humility and magnificent grace in His words to Israel in the1st century, and to them yesterday.
When I finished people were very kind and gracious to me; they affirmed I had connected with something very important to them as a congregation. One person told me she had heard that text preached many times over the years, but never in the way I had preached it. I knew people were paying attention, because a number of them leaned forward and stayed there, a few responded verbally to points I made; there was the nodding of heads in agreement and some were staring straight ahead as if considering their lives differently.
In this post, I want to get across not what I did, but what God sovereignly and unexpectedly did to teach me another facet of trust in Him. He not only calmed my anxiety almost immediately, but He spoke through me to His people. Then, He graciously let me be affirmed for it. Honestly, I could've been all over the place, untethered from my notes as I was, but He showed me, once again, He is all the power behind anything I can do in His service. In hindsight after the service, I'd left my notes at home, I had this delightfully sneaking suspicion that God had a hand in me leaving my notes at home. I know it's peculiar to say, but the sense was strong and I had to laugh. It was like, "Do you get it? Do you see what I can do in spite of what you carried as your responsibility?" The whole experience seemed another one of His invitations to be free to trust Him. Man, I desire that level of freedom!
More generally, I really am learning to be less anxious in new situations than ever before. It can be there, but not in a disabling way. My ADD is an insidious tyrant let me tell you; it sabotages and steals my "masculine voice" more often than I 'd like to admit. Yesterday, God showed me how trust in Him settles my soul into what I've been given to do with that voice, despite my foibles and ingrained weaknesses.
After the liberty, joy and pleasure I felt when I reflected on what He'd done, I eagerly want more of such abiding trust, especially if I can see God work the way He did. I recognize the next big battleground, and one of the most obdurate for me is overcoming obstacles to I being freer and more direct (with humility, grace and love) in telling others of Christ. To overcome such a stubborn hurdle would be one of the most beautiful gifts He could give me before I finish my race.
He certainly and delightfully surprised me yesterday. He can surely do it again!
Showing posts with label authenticate faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label authenticate faith. Show all posts
Monday, January 27, 2014
Monday, November 25, 2013
When Brothers Listen, Forgive and Reconcile There Is a Kingdom Sweetness Present.
Sometimes Kingdom ministry makes all the effort you put into serving and trying to do some good worth every bit of it. Yesterday in the afternoon after our gathering, I had the opportunity to sit around a table at a local eatery with two brothers who were taking the chance to overcome some hurts between them. Hurst which had broken their relationship.
Two weeks prior, I'd sat with one of them and we talked of how I'd hurt him and he'd hurt me. Jesus engineered the opportunity by bringing us together at a funeral of someone we both knew. Later, at a coffee place in town, we talked of failure and missed opportunity. The hurting was not premeditated on either of our parts. As we headed into the dialogue, there were nerves present, sure; a year ago our attempts to work out things had gone badly; the relationship was in effect deceased. But at that table two weeks prior, there was a desire in both of us to listen and reconnect. It was strong. We'd shared all sorts of life together before, and because of what happened between us, lost a year until finally being able to sit down, and try to make things right, which is the way we're supposed to live in the Kingdom together. All of us know "supposed to's" aren't necessarily always "will do's."
We did work it out and recognized there was a second conversation needing to be had with another brother we were both in relationship with. His was pretty much severed with this brother; mine was not.
So yesterday afternoon, we braved the cold wind, trudged up Main Street, and sat down over coffee at a different coffee place. I was not on the receiving or giving end of this discussion. I was there to listen, and pray, and help if things began to run aground. I supported both these men because they are my brothers.
For much of the next two hours they talked over what had happened. Both men were humble, willing to hear, and open to reconciling. The younger man did more talking than the older, but both were very engaged. Pain was shared and sometimes with tears not far away. No rancor nor defensiveness was present, only trying to understand and forgive ... genuinely forgive. I saw much grace and wisdom in how they talked with one another. The tone of their words and willingness to reconnect built a bridge over which they could cross toward the others side. There were times when we all laughed heartily, and there were other times sprinkled in the conversation where listening well and opening to the other's point of view was fully present.
As an interesting side note, there were folks sitting near us and could hear our conversations. The same was true when I had the dialogue with this young brother earlier. In each instance, people looked at us and heard us talk of tough things, yet remain gentle and willing to change. They knew we were Christians involved in church together. It was obvious by the words we used and the issues we worked through. I have to say, what they heard would in no way have disgraced our witness to the fact we are Christ-followers. I think they heard something different, very real, but full of grace from both sides of the table...the way the Kingdom does and should work when we actually live it.
I don't know if the others guys felt it, I didn't ask, but I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in both conversations. There was a palpable peace, openness, and order, instead of offense, and vitriol, or rigid defensiveness. In the title of this blog, I used the word sweetness. I mean it in the sense of a masculine gentleness and kind forbearance with one another; working well to keep the bonds of filial peace and love; being malleable in relationship to the truth, even that which convicts; and showing forth the heart of God toward one another, realizing all of us were once blind sinners far from God, and needed a cross to make the relationship with him (and one another) right. The Scripture also says where the Spirit is there is freedom. There is a sweetness in being free to forgive, make real peace, and be willing to restore brotherhood in Christ. It's not being weak or nice or feckless. This sweetness is inhabited by the Presence of Christ; it's a fierce love which overcomes our blinded brokenness, and frees us to be human as he lived what true masculine humanity looked like.
If you've read this blog regularly you know I've mentioned before that the Kingdom works when its values, truths and principles are actually applied to real life. More often than we'd like to admit, they're not applied very well, especially when the going is consistently uncomfortable, frustrating, costly or tough. Two weeks ago, and yesterday I saw them applied in two very human brothers, and it left me with quiet joy.
Two weeks prior, I'd sat with one of them and we talked of how I'd hurt him and he'd hurt me. Jesus engineered the opportunity by bringing us together at a funeral of someone we both knew. Later, at a coffee place in town, we talked of failure and missed opportunity. The hurting was not premeditated on either of our parts. As we headed into the dialogue, there were nerves present, sure; a year ago our attempts to work out things had gone badly; the relationship was in effect deceased. But at that table two weeks prior, there was a desire in both of us to listen and reconnect. It was strong. We'd shared all sorts of life together before, and because of what happened between us, lost a year until finally being able to sit down, and try to make things right, which is the way we're supposed to live in the Kingdom together. All of us know "supposed to's" aren't necessarily always "will do's."
We did work it out and recognized there was a second conversation needing to be had with another brother we were both in relationship with. His was pretty much severed with this brother; mine was not.
So yesterday afternoon, we braved the cold wind, trudged up Main Street, and sat down over coffee at a different coffee place. I was not on the receiving or giving end of this discussion. I was there to listen, and pray, and help if things began to run aground. I supported both these men because they are my brothers.
For much of the next two hours they talked over what had happened. Both men were humble, willing to hear, and open to reconciling. The younger man did more talking than the older, but both were very engaged. Pain was shared and sometimes with tears not far away. No rancor nor defensiveness was present, only trying to understand and forgive ... genuinely forgive. I saw much grace and wisdom in how they talked with one another. The tone of their words and willingness to reconnect built a bridge over which they could cross toward the others side. There were times when we all laughed heartily, and there were other times sprinkled in the conversation where listening well and opening to the other's point of view was fully present.
As an interesting side note, there were folks sitting near us and could hear our conversations. The same was true when I had the dialogue with this young brother earlier. In each instance, people looked at us and heard us talk of tough things, yet remain gentle and willing to change. They knew we were Christians involved in church together. It was obvious by the words we used and the issues we worked through. I have to say, what they heard would in no way have disgraced our witness to the fact we are Christ-followers. I think they heard something different, very real, but full of grace from both sides of the table...the way the Kingdom does and should work when we actually live it.
I don't know if the others guys felt it, I didn't ask, but I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in both conversations. There was a palpable peace, openness, and order, instead of offense, and vitriol, or rigid defensiveness. In the title of this blog, I used the word sweetness. I mean it in the sense of a masculine gentleness and kind forbearance with one another; working well to keep the bonds of filial peace and love; being malleable in relationship to the truth, even that which convicts; and showing forth the heart of God toward one another, realizing all of us were once blind sinners far from God, and needed a cross to make the relationship with him (and one another) right. The Scripture also says where the Spirit is there is freedom. There is a sweetness in being free to forgive, make real peace, and be willing to restore brotherhood in Christ. It's not being weak or nice or feckless. This sweetness is inhabited by the Presence of Christ; it's a fierce love which overcomes our blinded brokenness, and frees us to be human as he lived what true masculine humanity looked like.
If you've read this blog regularly you know I've mentioned before that the Kingdom works when its values, truths and principles are actually applied to real life. More often than we'd like to admit, they're not applied very well, especially when the going is consistently uncomfortable, frustrating, costly or tough. Two weeks ago, and yesterday I saw them applied in two very human brothers, and it left me with quiet joy.
Friday, August 9, 2013
To Walk Out Of God's Will Is To Walk Into Nowhere.
The title of this blogpost is a C.S. Lewis quote from Perelandra. I found it on Pinterest (I know . . . really, dude???) actually, and was grabbed by it. Because I don't know the context of his sentence, I'm not sure what larger theme he was exploring.
Be that as it may, I think the sentence itself has all sorts of realities to ponder.
Here are some off the top of my head:
I.
1. God's will is the SOMEWHERE of all somewheres worthy of my full effort to" live and move and have our being" therein.
2. God's will is the REALITY creating, animating and sustaining all of life. "Let there be" begins it all; without it, there is no some-anything.
3. God's will is expressed most fully by a relentless, creative love which has no boundary unless he wills one; love infuses his will.
4. God's will is full of God's counsel and God's provision; wisdom finds and knows its course by God's will.
5. God's will reflects his Lordship over all being animate and inanimate, time and space, seen and unseen, that which is, was, and will be for eternity, before time, and after time, beyond time.
6. God's will is subject only to how he chooses to direct it, as he chooses to direct it, where he chooses to direct it, whenever he chooses to direct it.
7. God's will is true life, genuine liberty and ultimate completion for all who yield their wills to embrace and follow it.We become truly human under its tutelage.
II.
1. Walking out of God's will and walking into nowhere is tragic blindness.
2. Walking out of God's will and walking into nowhere is a fool's errand masquerading as free self-determination.
3. Walking out of God's will and walking into nowhere is trusting the present, immediate or future to one's perception and understanding of what is and what will turn out, i.e., naive faith in chance, being in control, or being a good person so good things must happen.
4. Walking out of God's will and walking into nowhere is cutting oneself from a parachute and assuming you'll figure out how to fly in due time.
5. Walking out of God's will and walking into nowhere is following enticing delusion which ultimately kills the ability for true being.
6. Walking out of God's will and walking into nowhere is much ado about nothing or no ado toward what matters most.
7. Walking out of God's will and walking into nowhere can never satisfy the deepest longings of the heart, the noble quest for what yields enduring significance, or the intended meaning for why a person lived at all.
8. Walking out of God's will and walking into nowhere becomes a slow, imperceptible death leading to existential and final NOWHERE.
Be that as it may, I think the sentence itself has all sorts of realities to ponder.
Here are some off the top of my head:
I.
1. God's will is the SOMEWHERE of all somewheres worthy of my full effort to" live and move and have our being" therein.
2. God's will is the REALITY creating, animating and sustaining all of life. "Let there be" begins it all; without it, there is no some-anything.
3. God's will is expressed most fully by a relentless, creative love which has no boundary unless he wills one; love infuses his will.
4. God's will is full of God's counsel and God's provision; wisdom finds and knows its course by God's will.
5. God's will reflects his Lordship over all being animate and inanimate, time and space, seen and unseen, that which is, was, and will be for eternity, before time, and after time, beyond time.
6. God's will is subject only to how he chooses to direct it, as he chooses to direct it, where he chooses to direct it, whenever he chooses to direct it.
7. God's will is true life, genuine liberty and ultimate completion for all who yield their wills to embrace and follow it.We become truly human under its tutelage.
II.
1. Walking out of God's will and walking into nowhere is tragic blindness.
2. Walking out of God's will and walking into nowhere is a fool's errand masquerading as free self-determination.
3. Walking out of God's will and walking into nowhere is trusting the present, immediate or future to one's perception and understanding of what is and what will turn out, i.e., naive faith in chance, being in control, or being a good person so good things must happen.
4. Walking out of God's will and walking into nowhere is cutting oneself from a parachute and assuming you'll figure out how to fly in due time.
5. Walking out of God's will and walking into nowhere is following enticing delusion which ultimately kills the ability for true being.
6. Walking out of God's will and walking into nowhere is much ado about nothing or no ado toward what matters most.
7. Walking out of God's will and walking into nowhere can never satisfy the deepest longings of the heart, the noble quest for what yields enduring significance, or the intended meaning for why a person lived at all.
8. Walking out of God's will and walking into nowhere becomes a slow, imperceptible death leading to existential and final NOWHERE.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
When You Get Buckled Over Do You Get Up And Give It A Go Again?
PERSEVERE: to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counter-influences, opposition, or discouragement.
ENDURE: to undergo (as a hardship) especially without giving in; to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding
STEADFAST: firm in belief, determination, or adherence; firmly fixed in place.
ENDURE: to undergo (as a hardship) especially without giving in; to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding
STEADFAST: firm in belief, determination, or adherence; firmly fixed in place.
James 1:2-4 Count
it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you
know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let
steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and
complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:12 Blessed
is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the
test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those
who love him.
To give you a little perspective before I go any further, the three words above and their definitions aren't naturally friendly to me. I've had to learn to coexist with ADD. At times, I've been bewildered by its effects on my ability to concentrate, manage impulse, and stay the course with just about all of life's disciplines. Other times, I've found ways to ameliorate it's chaos; I've learned to manage (somewhat) my natural bent toward easy distraction. Perhaps it's more accurate to say I can recognize it (somewhat) and reign myself in (sometimes) when I'm flitting from one thing to the next. While ADD works well with my natural motivation to explore and go beyond, it wreaks havoc in tasks requiring discipline and focus.
So when I look at the words persevere, endure, and steadfast, I don't recognize a natural habitat. These disciplines for the mature highlight a substantial measure of persisting toward a destination, gutting it out through rough seas, and walking resolutely under trials with fortitude, even joy. while carrying a heavy load.
While not natural to my ilk, they do intrigue me. They're of weight and substance, even gravitas, therefore of great worth.
Since coming to Northampton, I've certainly met "trials of various kinds." They come in all shapes and forms, and in varying intensities, including overwhelming, even frightening. Some I've never faced before until we moved here; others are just part of the territory if one is a Christ-follower. A few I still face and see no end in sight.
What I don't see very much in me are attitudes such as counting my training trials as "all joy." I have neither the maturity nor fortitude, nor the sense of perspective for that character quality. I'm not saying I'll never, because God won't leave or forsake me in the task of producing steadfastness, as I keep trying to embrace the cross I've been fitted to carry. Faith tested repeatedly is faith perfected and ready for a life crown, i'e., complete, with no deficit for those who love him.
But sometimes I have to ask myself if I love him enough to willingly endure my frequent and continual testing. Does he matter enough that I'll gladly withstand them with good cheer. I think I do, but I get discouraged and can book a pity party. Or, I'll let my old nemesis depression sit a spell with me. He likes to pin failure notes near my heart and dim hope's brightening gaze.
I do love Jesus, but I feel I've wasted the promise we came here with. I've let him down. I'm embarrassed, even ashamed sometimes. I get wilted when I survey the last 5 years. Much of our vision is undeveloped and can feel like a mirage to me. Yet, some lives have been changed. We've faced all sorts of resistance (demonic and human); some of it well-meaning (human), and some of it just plain mean-spirited (human and demonic). But alongside, some people have been healed and released to freedom. imagine/Northampton has become their community. More often these days than before, the burden and strain of our struggle can just buckle me over. Those are the times when I ask, "What's it all about Alfie?" Then, I remember my love for Jesus and the shining magnificence of his Gospel and Kingdom; the cost he paid for me and the world, and his ennobling call to follow him. I remain moved by that because I love him.
This morning I wrote a prayer request to imagine people committed to praying for all of us and I noted I'm weary spiritually, emotionally, relationally and physically. I haven't felt this way on all four counts very much, but it's true right now .It doesn't feel like I'm enduring well. There are discernible cracks in my steadfastness. Persevering looks a tall order. I'd like to have Paul's perspective of "light and momentary troubles" to settle into my heart. God'll have to do that. I'm just not there these days.
I imagine I'll "get up and give it a go again" until he says stop, or I just can't go another foot. Don't know if or when that will be. He does. I just need a breather and perhaps a sip of that joy James was writing about.
To give you a little perspective before I go any further, the three words above and their definitions aren't naturally friendly to me. I've had to learn to coexist with ADD. At times, I've been bewildered by its effects on my ability to concentrate, manage impulse, and stay the course with just about all of life's disciplines. Other times, I've found ways to ameliorate it's chaos; I've learned to manage (somewhat) my natural bent toward easy distraction. Perhaps it's more accurate to say I can recognize it (somewhat) and reign myself in (sometimes) when I'm flitting from one thing to the next. While ADD works well with my natural motivation to explore and go beyond, it wreaks havoc in tasks requiring discipline and focus.
So when I look at the words persevere, endure, and steadfast, I don't recognize a natural habitat. These disciplines for the mature highlight a substantial measure of persisting toward a destination, gutting it out through rough seas, and walking resolutely under trials with fortitude, even joy. while carrying a heavy load.
While not natural to my ilk, they do intrigue me. They're of weight and substance, even gravitas, therefore of great worth.
....
Since coming to Northampton, I've certainly met "trials of various kinds." They come in all shapes and forms, and in varying intensities, including overwhelming, even frightening. Some I've never faced before until we moved here; others are just part of the territory if one is a Christ-follower. A few I still face and see no end in sight.
What I don't see very much in me are attitudes such as counting my training trials as "all joy." I have neither the maturity nor fortitude, nor the sense of perspective for that character quality. I'm not saying I'll never, because God won't leave or forsake me in the task of producing steadfastness, as I keep trying to embrace the cross I've been fitted to carry. Faith tested repeatedly is faith perfected and ready for a life crown, i'e., complete, with no deficit for those who love him.
But sometimes I have to ask myself if I love him enough to willingly endure my frequent and continual testing. Does he matter enough that I'll gladly withstand them with good cheer. I think I do, but I get discouraged and can book a pity party. Or, I'll let my old nemesis depression sit a spell with me. He likes to pin failure notes near my heart and dim hope's brightening gaze.
I do love Jesus, but I feel I've wasted the promise we came here with. I've let him down. I'm embarrassed, even ashamed sometimes. I get wilted when I survey the last 5 years. Much of our vision is undeveloped and can feel like a mirage to me. Yet, some lives have been changed. We've faced all sorts of resistance (demonic and human); some of it well-meaning (human), and some of it just plain mean-spirited (human and demonic). But alongside, some people have been healed and released to freedom. imagine/Northampton has become their community. More often these days than before, the burden and strain of our struggle can just buckle me over. Those are the times when I ask, "What's it all about Alfie?" Then, I remember my love for Jesus and the shining magnificence of his Gospel and Kingdom; the cost he paid for me and the world, and his ennobling call to follow him. I remain moved by that because I love him.
This morning I wrote a prayer request to imagine people committed to praying for all of us and I noted I'm weary spiritually, emotionally, relationally and physically. I haven't felt this way on all four counts very much, but it's true right now .It doesn't feel like I'm enduring well. There are discernible cracks in my steadfastness. Persevering looks a tall order. I'd like to have Paul's perspective of "light and momentary troubles" to settle into my heart. God'll have to do that. I'm just not there these days.
I imagine I'll "get up and give it a go again" until he says stop, or I just can't go another foot. Don't know if or when that will be. He does. I just need a breather and perhaps a sip of that joy James was writing about.
Monday, April 8, 2013
We're a "New Agey" Church...Really?
You ever wonder how people come to the conclusions they do, and be so far off from what the reality is? I bet I've done it many times, and I know others have as well.
Well, recently one of the imagine gang told me a person they knew from another church wanted to know why he and his family were going to a "new agey" church? Apparently, in their minds we were not a true Christian church, but some sort of counterfeit spiritual group. Or at least, we did not match what the person understood to be the hallmarks of a true Christian church. The person asking the question had never been to imagine from what I understand.
So, I got to thinking about what the term actually described when I was first exposed to it in the 60's, in contrast to what we actually believe at imagine/Northampton (BTW: our core beliefs are all on our website: www.imaginenorthampton.org; click on the "imagine doc" link in the column to the right of the page. I also have written about them throughout my blog.).
So what are the tenets of New Age spirituality? According to Wikipedia:
The New Age movement is a Western spiritual movement that developed in the second half of the 20th century. Its central precepts have been described as "drawing on both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions and infusing them with influences from self-help and motivational psychology, holistic health, parapsychology, consciousness research and quantum physics".[2] The term New Age refers to the coming astrological Age of Aquarius.[1]
The New Age aims to create "a spirituality without borders or confining dogmas" that is inclusive and pluralistic.[3] It holds to "a holistic worldview",[4] emphasizing that the Mind, Body and Spirit are interrelated[1] and that there is a form of monism and unity throughout the universe.[5] It attempts to create "a worldview that includes both science and spirituality"[6] and embraces a number of forms of mainstream science as well as other forms of science that are considered fringe.
The New Age movement includes elements of older spiritual and religious traditions ranging from Monotheism through Pantheism, Pandeism, Panentheism, and Polytheism combined with Science and Gaia philosophy; particularly Archaeoastronomy, Astronomy, Ecology, Environmentalism, the Gaia hypothesis, UFO religions, Psychology, and Physics.
New Age practices and philosophies sometimes draw inspiration from major world religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Chinese folk religion, Christianity, Hinduism, Sufism, Judaism (especially Kabbalah), Sikhism; with strong influences from East Asian religions, Esotericism, Gnosticism, Hermeticism, Idealism, Neopaganism, New Thought, Spiritualism, Theosophy, Universalism, and Wisdom tradition.[9]
Nothing we practice or believe draws on "both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions," nor do we work to "create a spirituality without borders or confining dogmas that is inclusive and pluralistic."
In short, if you were to hang around us for a while you would hear us talk much about Jesus as Savior, Lord and Friend. There ar no other gods above him.You'd come to know we have a high view of the Christian Scriptures, the astounding miracle of the Cross and Resurrection, substitutionary atonement, salvation by grace through faith, not works; forgiveness and healing, freedom in Christ , the missional Kingdom of God with its call to a sacrificial life of love and service toward everyone in the name of Christ, including those who don't know him or are viewed as outcasts; the vivifying presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the disciple; spiritual intimacy with Christ, the spiritual gifts, the spiritual disciplines of prayer (listening, talking to God, interceding), worship as a way of life, biblical and theological study, and faith- borne acts of kindness, compassion, and care.
Of course, you'd see how much we value creativity, the arts, and human expression which tells the truth about the human condition. We see creativity and art as a profound gift of God. So we have the imagineGALLERY. It's a way we connect with Northampton, breaking down barriers and working to build relationships with folks who are wary of Christians. We also encourage creative expression in our worship to open hearts and minds to the breathtaking wonder of the Gospel and Creation. Some of the greatest works of art ever created over the centuries were acts of devotion by followers of Christ. We want to ignite that.
Our Sunday morning gatherings for worship are relaxed and welcoming on purpose. We pray and testify to God's goodness. We sing together, and listen to songs which reflect reality. We give people time to talk publicly about the goodness of God to build our faith and acknowledge his beauty, faithfulness and love. We hear teaching that is Scripturally sound, and aimed toward helping people drop their guard, know God, spiritually mature, and follow him well in the life he has called them to live. Our teaching is full of grace and truth. We want people to move away from what limits their wholeheartedness toward Christ, but opens them to the courageous freedom of living a life full of love, service and grace. We share communion, pray and hang out with each other in and out of the church.
While our liturgy may look bit different, it is centered in the reality of the Gospel and Christ's call to worship with the whole of the person;s time, talents and resources through the week.
Therefore, to be honest, I'm not sure what the person is talking about when thinking we are "new agey." I suspect he or she has jumped to conclusions with no first-hand experience or evidence beyond hearsay. We all do it. But in this case, I bet this person might be quite embarrassed ti know how wrong he or she is when it comes to imagine/Northampton.
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Faith Married to Will Stubbornly Says "Yes" in a World Crammed Full of "No"
I've been thinking about faith often these days. Life leaves me doing so.
Some of it has to do with the unrelenting pressures and stresses we always face here. Some of it comes from noticing how I respond when I'm put to the test as to whether I will trust and believe we matter to God no matter the circumstances, gains or losses.
Here's some realities I've come to understand almost 5 years into this imagine/Northampton adventure:
1. Faith without a steely will to faith is a vapid and limp impostor. Having faith as a religious gesture or duty has no more import than dressing up for church. The will to faith begins the knowing what faith actually is, how it works and what it does in the real world. A sanctified will extends the reach of faith.
2. Faith must be stretched to the breaking point before we really understand its power. To hang in believing anyway reveals the role of the will in choosing despite being at the precipice one step from falling. Willing to faith reveals it's potential for tenacity and courage. Both are very near to the heart of faith's essence.
3. Choosing to believe when the desert stretches as far as the eye can see, or when when a terrifying disaster looms, or when the storm won't abate, initiates all who get there into a freedom only gained by extreme testing. Without it, we can let our faith cool unawares, and assume things are fine and will remain as such.
4. The will to faith unleashes a drive to pray with persisting fervor, and teaches the prayer how to pray from the deep heart. It's called supplication and it gets down to the bone. So much prayer can fall into routine and perfunctory listing things for God until something really needs to happen. Because there is pain or much riding on God's response, we choose to hold onto to him until he sends help or gives a definitive "Not this time." The will is locked like a laser and faith holds the line in step.
5. Faith aligned with a will committed to believing God is really God comes to know him who is worthy of seeking wholeheartedly even when life calms down or smooths out. I suspect what results from the will freely, intentionally allying with faith leads to a person taking on the active identity of a follower of Christ, a disciple on the Kingdom mission assigned to him or her. Volition and belief stir the heart to step it up in picking up our cross, dying to self and going into the mess with our Lord and King. The intensity of faith and will focused opens a door.
6. An engaged will turned toward Christ animates faith beyond being a spiritual position of a person being saved. Yes, we are saved through faith by grace, but that's just the first act of a life turning toward the things of God and away from the things of the passing-away world. It's admission into the fray. By faith, the will begins to see the truth and has a choice to follow or stand in place hoping for blessings, but light difficulties. When the will turns toward Christ and does not look back faith becomes a shield and a weapon. The person is activated to make a real difference with the whole of his or her life, not be a spiritual consumer and feckless spectator. The Kingdom has come and it beckons now.
7. Intimacy with Christ becomes an increasing possibility because faith perceives him ever clearer as it seeks to know his heart and take on his ways. Intimacy with Christ becomes a passion when the will desires to go far into life with him and what he is doing today. Faith apprehends his beauty; the will chooses to align with the example of his servant nature. Faith apprehends and trusts his goodness; the will responds by choosing to believe and act from that trust even if the way forward appears obscured. Faith apprehends Christ is God; the will assents and seeks to make it known in a world gone blind and deaf.
The truth is: ...faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (He.11:1) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (He.11:6) Faith married to will moves mountains, pushes back the darkness, and stubbornly says yes in a world full of no.
Some of it has to do with the unrelenting pressures and stresses we always face here. Some of it comes from noticing how I respond when I'm put to the test as to whether I will trust and believe we matter to God no matter the circumstances, gains or losses.
Here's some realities I've come to understand almost 5 years into this imagine/Northampton adventure:
1. Faith without a steely will to faith is a vapid and limp impostor. Having faith as a religious gesture or duty has no more import than dressing up for church. The will to faith begins the knowing what faith actually is, how it works and what it does in the real world. A sanctified will extends the reach of faith.
2. Faith must be stretched to the breaking point before we really understand its power. To hang in believing anyway reveals the role of the will in choosing despite being at the precipice one step from falling. Willing to faith reveals it's potential for tenacity and courage. Both are very near to the heart of faith's essence.
3. Choosing to believe when the desert stretches as far as the eye can see, or when when a terrifying disaster looms, or when the storm won't abate, initiates all who get there into a freedom only gained by extreme testing. Without it, we can let our faith cool unawares, and assume things are fine and will remain as such.
4. The will to faith unleashes a drive to pray with persisting fervor, and teaches the prayer how to pray from the deep heart. It's called supplication and it gets down to the bone. So much prayer can fall into routine and perfunctory listing things for God until something really needs to happen. Because there is pain or much riding on God's response, we choose to hold onto to him until he sends help or gives a definitive "Not this time." The will is locked like a laser and faith holds the line in step.
5. Faith aligned with a will committed to believing God is really God comes to know him who is worthy of seeking wholeheartedly even when life calms down or smooths out. I suspect what results from the will freely, intentionally allying with faith leads to a person taking on the active identity of a follower of Christ, a disciple on the Kingdom mission assigned to him or her. Volition and belief stir the heart to step it up in picking up our cross, dying to self and going into the mess with our Lord and King. The intensity of faith and will focused opens a door.
6. An engaged will turned toward Christ animates faith beyond being a spiritual position of a person being saved. Yes, we are saved through faith by grace, but that's just the first act of a life turning toward the things of God and away from the things of the passing-away world. It's admission into the fray. By faith, the will begins to see the truth and has a choice to follow or stand in place hoping for blessings, but light difficulties. When the will turns toward Christ and does not look back faith becomes a shield and a weapon. The person is activated to make a real difference with the whole of his or her life, not be a spiritual consumer and feckless spectator. The Kingdom has come and it beckons now.
7. Intimacy with Christ becomes an increasing possibility because faith perceives him ever clearer as it seeks to know his heart and take on his ways. Intimacy with Christ becomes a passion when the will desires to go far into life with him and what he is doing today. Faith apprehends his beauty; the will chooses to align with the example of his servant nature. Faith apprehends and trusts his goodness; the will responds by choosing to believe and act from that trust even if the way forward appears obscured. Faith apprehends Christ is God; the will assents and seeks to make it known in a world gone blind and deaf.
The truth is: ...faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (He.11:1) And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (He.11:6) Faith married to will moves mountains, pushes back the darkness, and stubbornly says yes in a world full of no.
Friday, September 7, 2012
8 Essential Questions For The Church; What If?
For the last two weeks, I've been riveted to the Republican and Democrat Conventions. Even though I grew up in a very politically vigorous family of staunch Irish Democrats (my grandmother even played a role on the national level in the 40's), I'm not a political animal per se. I'll never tell you who I support or which way I'll vote in an election.
But I have to say I was struck to the degree I've never been with the depth of faith and hope people are resting on the shoulders of the Presidential candidates, especially the Democrats' adoration of Barack Obama. It feels almost akin to worship. I know similar adoration has been given other candidates in other elections over the last 200 years. People place all sorts of hope and trust in charismatic leaders who represent to them a better life, or an inspiring message of freedom or prosperity. The longing of the human heart for a happy and liberated life gets ignited by gifted communicators who know the heart's language and how to move it. When that occurs people feel lifted and loyal. Tears flow, smiles abound, cheers ring forth and happy days look likely to be here again because so and so is going to bring them. It's a potent alchemy.
So I have to say, I felt saddened by how much faith, hope, and even love is being lavished on mere mortals. I've never felt that before. It was palpable. There was a kind of "No!" echoing in my head because I'm convinced, such devotion rightly belongs to Christ alone.Only he is the light of the world, the Way, the Truth and the Life, the only Name under heaven by which men can be saved. Neither Romney nor Obama can fulfill the deepest or most abiding needs of the human heart. Don't get me wrong, the "American Experiment" is a unique light in the world. I've spent the last number of years examining the founding, and the key players involved. Miracles were involved. And through the decades, God has blessed the United States repeatedly, and given it prominent influence around the world. Great leaders in government have done remarkable things benefiting generations. At the same time there have been horrors, atrocities and betrayals.
Jesus, the LORD of Lords is the One Americans should ultimately owe their greatest fealty.
If they only knew.
If they could but peer into the unseen REAL.
But don't really know and they don't see.
Do you know who represents His salvific interests in America and in the world? You and I do. We're called the Church. We, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, bring the Kingdom of God with us whatever we happen to be doing, even if we're unawares. It's our singular mission, not government or business, or unions, or PACs, Social Service organizations, NGO's, the 4th Estate, lobbies, or sports and entertainment figures, political pundits, or Fox News, CNN, or MSNBC, the military or the schools, colleges and universities. The Kingdom mission is the singular dominion and calling of the Church, i.e., anyone who calls on the Name of the LORD, and sees being a Jesus follower as his or her primary identity and calling in their every sphere of influence.
This morning on the porch in Ventnor, I was reading a book by Joel C. Rosenberg called Implosion: Can America Recover From Its Economic and Spiritual Challenges In Time? I don't know about you, but the "last days" are more and more on my mind and have been for two or three years. I've tended to stay away from reading or speculating about such things, but I'm noticing in a way I've never before. Something's up and Rosenberg, a Jewish Christian, keeps his feet on the ground.
Anyway, I titled my post this way because I want to call your attention to what the author poses to the Church (ppg. 291-2), noting such questions are: "what we should expect and pray for in the American church,". (p.292)
He begins the list with the following passage:
"There are an estimated 340,000 church congregations in the United States. That's an average of 6,800 per state. That's about one congregation for every 900 people. Imagine how rapidly America would change if all of these 340,000 congregations were healthy, strong, brightly shining lighthouses, as God intended.
1.What if they were all faithfully teaching the Word of God book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse so the people of God would know the whole counsel of God?
2. What if they were truly helping people repent of their sins, purify their hearts, and heal from their emotional and spiritual wounds?
3.What if they were all actively assisting those recovering people to be able to turn around and care for others who are needy and suffering?
4.What if they were all training their people to share the gospel with their friends and neighbors?
5.What if every pastor was modeling the kind of personal one-on-one and small-group discipleship that Jesus and Paul modeled?
6.What if they were equipping and training young people in the Word of God and their spiritual gifts and helping them plant new congregations in the U.S. and around the world?
7.What if they were truly caring for the poor and the needy in their communities and in countries around the globe, not in lieu of sharing the gospel but as part of fulfilling the great commission?
8. What if they were teaching their congregations to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus and to show unconditional love and unwavering support to both the Jewish and Palestinian people?
I recommend you reflect carefully on each question for yourself and for the church where you serve. What is God asking of you? Where do you need to repent? Where are you sleepwalking and need to wake up? How is you church addressing these concerns? Should you raise the issues?
A Prayer For Us All:
Father of all power, liberty, and truth,
Wake us from where we are slumbering or sleepwalking,
Warm our hearts where we've grown cold and indifferent.
Encourage us where we are anxious and timid.
Dislodge us from where we are stuck.
Summon us from where we are distracted by trifles or overwhelming troubles.
Give us voices to speak the truth with words that enliven and heal;
that teach and motivate.
Make us people of the Way such that all can yield and want to find it.
Help us follow Jesus in what He is doing all around no matter the cost,
no matter the odds against us, no matter the mockery of the blind and wandering.
Give us tears which liberate and a stubborn resolve that on our watch, you will be seen and heard in and through us all, your Church.
By Christ, for Christ, in and through Christ.
Amen
But I have to say I was struck to the degree I've never been with the depth of faith and hope people are resting on the shoulders of the Presidential candidates, especially the Democrats' adoration of Barack Obama. It feels almost akin to worship. I know similar adoration has been given other candidates in other elections over the last 200 years. People place all sorts of hope and trust in charismatic leaders who represent to them a better life, or an inspiring message of freedom or prosperity. The longing of the human heart for a happy and liberated life gets ignited by gifted communicators who know the heart's language and how to move it. When that occurs people feel lifted and loyal. Tears flow, smiles abound, cheers ring forth and happy days look likely to be here again because so and so is going to bring them. It's a potent alchemy.
So I have to say, I felt saddened by how much faith, hope, and even love is being lavished on mere mortals. I've never felt that before. It was palpable. There was a kind of "No!" echoing in my head because I'm convinced, such devotion rightly belongs to Christ alone.Only he is the light of the world, the Way, the Truth and the Life, the only Name under heaven by which men can be saved. Neither Romney nor Obama can fulfill the deepest or most abiding needs of the human heart. Don't get me wrong, the "American Experiment" is a unique light in the world. I've spent the last number of years examining the founding, and the key players involved. Miracles were involved. And through the decades, God has blessed the United States repeatedly, and given it prominent influence around the world. Great leaders in government have done remarkable things benefiting generations. At the same time there have been horrors, atrocities and betrayals.
Jesus, the LORD of Lords is the One Americans should ultimately owe their greatest fealty.
If they only knew.
If they could but peer into the unseen REAL.
But don't really know and they don't see.
*****
Do you know who represents His salvific interests in America and in the world? You and I do. We're called the Church. We, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, bring the Kingdom of God with us whatever we happen to be doing, even if we're unawares. It's our singular mission, not government or business, or unions, or PACs, Social Service organizations, NGO's, the 4th Estate, lobbies, or sports and entertainment figures, political pundits, or Fox News, CNN, or MSNBC, the military or the schools, colleges and universities. The Kingdom mission is the singular dominion and calling of the Church, i.e., anyone who calls on the Name of the LORD, and sees being a Jesus follower as his or her primary identity and calling in their every sphere of influence.
This morning on the porch in Ventnor, I was reading a book by Joel C. Rosenberg called Implosion: Can America Recover From Its Economic and Spiritual Challenges In Time? I don't know about you, but the "last days" are more and more on my mind and have been for two or three years. I've tended to stay away from reading or speculating about such things, but I'm noticing in a way I've never before. Something's up and Rosenberg, a Jewish Christian, keeps his feet on the ground.
Anyway, I titled my post this way because I want to call your attention to what the author poses to the Church (ppg. 291-2), noting such questions are: "what we should expect and pray for in the American church,". (p.292)
He begins the list with the following passage:
"There are an estimated 340,000 church congregations in the United States. That's an average of 6,800 per state. That's about one congregation for every 900 people. Imagine how rapidly America would change if all of these 340,000 congregations were healthy, strong, brightly shining lighthouses, as God intended.
1.What if they were all faithfully teaching the Word of God book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse so the people of God would know the whole counsel of God?
2. What if they were truly helping people repent of their sins, purify their hearts, and heal from their emotional and spiritual wounds?
3.What if they were all actively assisting those recovering people to be able to turn around and care for others who are needy and suffering?
4.What if they were all training their people to share the gospel with their friends and neighbors?
5.What if every pastor was modeling the kind of personal one-on-one and small-group discipleship that Jesus and Paul modeled?
6.What if they were equipping and training young people in the Word of God and their spiritual gifts and helping them plant new congregations in the U.S. and around the world?
7.What if they were truly caring for the poor and the needy in their communities and in countries around the globe, not in lieu of sharing the gospel but as part of fulfilling the great commission?
8. What if they were teaching their congregations to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus and to show unconditional love and unwavering support to both the Jewish and Palestinian people?
I recommend you reflect carefully on each question for yourself and for the church where you serve. What is God asking of you? Where do you need to repent? Where are you sleepwalking and need to wake up? How is you church addressing these concerns? Should you raise the issues?
A Prayer For Us All:
Father of all power, liberty, and truth,
Wake us from where we are slumbering or sleepwalking,
Warm our hearts where we've grown cold and indifferent.
Encourage us where we are anxious and timid.
Dislodge us from where we are stuck.
Summon us from where we are distracted by trifles or overwhelming troubles.
Give us voices to speak the truth with words that enliven and heal;
that teach and motivate.
Make us people of the Way such that all can yield and want to find it.
Help us follow Jesus in what He is doing all around no matter the cost,
no matter the odds against us, no matter the mockery of the blind and wandering.
Give us tears which liberate and a stubborn resolve that on our watch, you will be seen and heard in and through us all, your Church.
By Christ, for Christ, in and through Christ.
Amen
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Simple Missional Questions to Ask Ourselves All the Time.
1. How in your life do you see folks around you encountering Jesus through you?
2. How do you incarnate his love so that people in your sphere of influence want to know him?
3. Would anyone be inspired to follow him by the way you live?
4. Besides indirect evidence of your religious or spiritual practices (going to church, praying, reading the Scriptures, etc.) does anyone not a Christian know why you follow him?
Take frequent time to reflect on these questions and listen for his "still, small voice." Thank him for evidence of him working through you if he has, but also ask him to "make you able" if you've little evidence of his working through you missionally of late or perhaps ever.
The hour is late.
2. How do you incarnate his love so that people in your sphere of influence want to know him?
3. Would anyone be inspired to follow him by the way you live?
4. Besides indirect evidence of your religious or spiritual practices (going to church, praying, reading the Scriptures, etc.) does anyone not a Christian know why you follow him?
Take frequent time to reflect on these questions and listen for his "still, small voice." Thank him for evidence of him working through you if he has, but also ask him to "make you able" if you've little evidence of his working through you missionally of late or perhaps ever.
The hour is late.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
What Might Jesus-following Maturity Look Like?
Someone I know sent a query very recently on Facebook asking for input on the essence of maturity. I responded with the following and realized I wanted to say more about the essence of spiritual maturity recognizing it's not easily quantified like a batting average or measured by how many achievements or honors a person has gathered in a lifetime. Jesus-following maturity is existentially organic and sometimes quite subtle, best noticed by others who can see Christ-like motives and actions in us. The following list is not meant to be authoritative or exhaustive, just food for thought:
1. Wisdom From Above:
All wisdom is from God (Proverbs 2:6), including that which demonstrates anything true in the natural order (Jeremiah 10:12). Wisdom is the ability to see reality in all its forms, i.e., what is and what is not. Wisdom from above is spiritual acuity, the ability to see and know true wisdom from man-made knowledge or demonic counterfeits. It is precious beyond measure, (Proverbs 8:11); to possess wisdom is to know the way to true life and eternal meaning. The Holy Spirit is the Bringer of all wisdom, knowledge and understanding from above. He authenticates in real-time what God has ordained before the foundation of the world. God freely gives wisdom to anyone who earnestly asks for it (James 1:5). Through spiritual wisdom God desires us to see him, completely surrender our hearts (the sooner the better), and serve him to show the world his Glory.
2. Gracious Selflessness (in the mode of Jesus): Nehemiah (9:17b) and Isaiah (30:18) show God as, by nature, full of grace which he gives even when we do not deserve it or perhaps even look for it. Embodied in graciousness are freely-given qualities of generosity and goodwill, unforced favor or blessing, and favor which freely overlooks offense. To anyone saved by the finished work of Christ, it is the astounding work of grace, a gift freely given, never earned. In Jesus, we see the summum bonum (highest good) of God's grace in that he willingly, in unity with his Father, gave his life for the world. The King of Kings became "despised and rejected . . . a man of sorrows . . . stricken, crushed, oppressed and afflicted . . .a lamb to the slaughter . . . cut off from the land of the living" (Isaiah 53). Jesus left unimaginable riches, became poor and surrendered all of himself that we might find true, unfettered self by doing what he did and becoming graciously selfless, thus opening the world to his Glory as we serve those who can't see him.
3. Living to Glorify God as One's Prime Identity and Life Motive: Jesus said he came to do the Father's will (John 6:38), and if you've seen him, you've seen the Father (John 14:8-11). All manner of allegiances invite us to make them our primary identities: our race, country of origin, family name, political affiliation, calling and work, etc. Jesus-followers are summoned to embrace wholeheartedly a lifetime of working to bring glory to God by serving him with all they are, and loving others as themselves including, by the way, proclaiming the Gospel to those who haven't heard it as we go about our business. Any lesser identity and life motive does not bring glory to God or reflect a heart given first to his redemptive interests.
4. Sacrificial Love: John 3:16-7 proclaims that God gave Jesus to save the world from destruction because of spiritual deadness and hardness of heart due to sin. God sacrificed and Jesus sacrificed for love. Love motivates sacrifice for the Beloved if it is authentic love. Love by its nature gives, asking little or nothing in return. Sacrificial love reveals its essence: to lay down one's life for the other. The "me" in each of us finds it's deepest meaning when its focus is others. We are our brother's and sister's keepers. Paul tells us to "follow the way of love" (1Corinthians 14:1). Love costing us much mirrors the love of God for the world; such love reflects his heart the most closely because it reveals his nature. Love which "never fails" (1Corinthians 13:8), "keeps no record of wrongs" (1Corinthians 13:5), and "always perseveres" (1Corinthians 13:7).
5. Consistently Serving the Poor (including the poor in spirit):
Very close to the heart of God are the poor: Luke says the poor are blessed because they have the Kingdom of God (6:20). He provides for them (Psalm 68:10). He secures justice for them (Psalm 140:12). He raises them from the dust (Psalm 113:7). James says God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith and inherit the Kingdom (2:5). Jesus is anointed to preach the Good News of the Kingdom to the poor (Luke 4:18). Jesus though he was rich became poor that his poverty would enrich the faithful in the treasures of the Kingdom (2Corinthians 8:9). If a person is committed to following Jesus, he or she will be where he is (John 12:26), in the midst of the poor of the world whenever possible. Jesus-followers love who God loves, including the poor and broken in the world. It will mean a lifestyle change for sure, especially in America, but serving the poor will become a non-negotiable.
6. Humility, Gentleness and Mercy:
Jesus says he is "Gentle and humble in heart" (Matthew 11:29). God is by nature merciful (Deuteronomy 4:31). His followers are called to be merciful (Luke 6:36). Humility, gentleness and mercy are strong towers in that they represent a depth of freedom from using power to gain one's way or advantage. This freedom is counter-intuitive in the eyes of most, but reflects a substantial reliance on the power and care of God rather than forcing one's way over others. The world operates as such, not the Kingdom.
Humility reveals a prudent understanding of one's true nature apart from God because everything good we are and everything we've been given comes from his hand. Humility teaches us to see ourselves rightly in relation to God and others. In fact, it notes God's incomparable greatness and others better than oneself. Humility finds no joy in the ridiculous foolishness of boasting.
Gentleness flies in the face of fear. It abhors harshness and dominance over others. Gentleness sees fear-mongering for what it is: cowardice. Gentleness is humane, able to connect with the broken and bruised humanity of others without a sense of superiority. It has no sense of guile or advantage. Gentleness is open-hearted by conviction.
Mercy holds no grudges and drops the charges by choice. It reflects God's will to show mercy to a sin-riddled world and shower blessing on the merciful walking by his ways. Mercy surprises and liberates all those who receive while expecting the boom to be lowered. Mercy is also counter-intuitive. Fallen human nature loves the blood-lust of revenge. It prizes the right to hit back. Mercy short-circuits the murderous revenge cycle and opens the only sure path to healing: unexpected forgiveness.
Peter tells us if we've suffered for doing what is right we are blessed (1Peter 3:14). He goes on to say it's better to suffer if it's God's will for doing good than doing evil (1Peter 3:17).In chapter 4, Peter says since Christ suffered in his body that his followers should "arm themselves with the same attitude." Later in Chapter 4, he says," Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." He closes the chapter by counseling, "Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." Paul writes, "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2Timothy 3:11-3).
To truly follow Christ in this world is to incur suffering whether it be from the adversary and his minions, from enemies of the Gospel, from family, other Christians or strangers. The Scriptures allude to the fact that the closer we get to being like Christ and serving his interests in the world with courage, we will have trials, setbacks, and even persecution. I think we are often surprised when we go through a prolonged or intense period of affliction or loss. Most of us believe we are supposed to be pretty much protected from the bad stuff in life. I've known people who've abandoned Jesus because of that. The truth remains while he promises to be with us through it all, (Matthew 28:30) he also warns that the rain will fall on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45).
8. The Persisting Attitude of Joy Because of Hope:
I tell people all the time attitude spells the difference between those who work out their problems and those who don't. Attitude gives proper perspective and fuels virtues. Grace-infused attitude sets people's feet advancing toward healing, freedom, life and holiness. Persistence gives attitude time to materialize and mature toward its desired ends. Without persistence most people are easily blown off course by immaturity, impatient distraction or obstacles allowed by God to strengthen resolve.
A persisting attitude of joy is a resilient mindset of joy. A person valuing wisdom chooses to learn existential joy from God. The Holy Spirit is a master at teaching joy, but sadly, many never ask him to. Most people assume joy is a feeling. We do have joyous feelings, thank God, but they are highly contextualized and fleeting for the most part. Biblical joy at its most profound is a perceiving and grasping of the stunning beauty, pleasure, freedom and life waiting just beyond the veil for all who follow Jesus faithfully. Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him (Hebrews 12:2). He knew what his death and resurrection would create and ignite in the universe locked in slavery by the fall. Such joy is the inheritance of all persevering believers in Christ.
1. Wisdom From Above:
All wisdom is from God (Proverbs 2:6), including that which demonstrates anything true in the natural order (Jeremiah 10:12). Wisdom is the ability to see reality in all its forms, i.e., what is and what is not. Wisdom from above is spiritual acuity, the ability to see and know true wisdom from man-made knowledge or demonic counterfeits. It is precious beyond measure, (Proverbs 8:11); to possess wisdom is to know the way to true life and eternal meaning. The Holy Spirit is the Bringer of all wisdom, knowledge and understanding from above. He authenticates in real-time what God has ordained before the foundation of the world. God freely gives wisdom to anyone who earnestly asks for it (James 1:5). Through spiritual wisdom God desires us to see him, completely surrender our hearts (the sooner the better), and serve him to show the world his Glory.
- Mature Jesus-followers are characterized by a love of wisdom grounding them in the reality of God with us, and the call to shoulder the work of this Kingdom in all of life for such a time as this.
2. Gracious Selflessness (in the mode of Jesus): Nehemiah (9:17b) and Isaiah (30:18) show God as, by nature, full of grace which he gives even when we do not deserve it or perhaps even look for it. Embodied in graciousness are freely-given qualities of generosity and goodwill, unforced favor or blessing, and favor which freely overlooks offense. To anyone saved by the finished work of Christ, it is the astounding work of grace, a gift freely given, never earned. In Jesus, we see the summum bonum (highest good) of God's grace in that he willingly, in unity with his Father, gave his life for the world. The King of Kings became "despised and rejected . . . a man of sorrows . . . stricken, crushed, oppressed and afflicted . . .a lamb to the slaughter . . . cut off from the land of the living" (Isaiah 53). Jesus left unimaginable riches, became poor and surrendered all of himself that we might find true, unfettered self by doing what he did and becoming graciously selfless, thus opening the world to his Glory as we serve those who can't see him.
- Mature Jesus-followers reflect a consistent selflessness eagerly offering grace as a way of life, even when it is not noticed or returned. Selflessness is not an attainment, but an unself-aware way of life.
3. Living to Glorify God as One's Prime Identity and Life Motive: Jesus said he came to do the Father's will (John 6:38), and if you've seen him, you've seen the Father (John 14:8-11). All manner of allegiances invite us to make them our primary identities: our race, country of origin, family name, political affiliation, calling and work, etc. Jesus-followers are summoned to embrace wholeheartedly a lifetime of working to bring glory to God by serving him with all they are, and loving others as themselves including, by the way, proclaiming the Gospel to those who haven't heard it as we go about our business. Any lesser identity and life motive does not bring glory to God or reflect a heart given first to his redemptive interests.
- Mature Jesus-followers then can also be recognized by where they give their best; what they seem most passionate about, how they spend most their time, and what values are reflected in their words and actions. A life devoted to God's glory will be evident.
4. Sacrificial Love: John 3:16-7 proclaims that God gave Jesus to save the world from destruction because of spiritual deadness and hardness of heart due to sin. God sacrificed and Jesus sacrificed for love. Love motivates sacrifice for the Beloved if it is authentic love. Love by its nature gives, asking little or nothing in return. Sacrificial love reveals its essence: to lay down one's life for the other. The "me" in each of us finds it's deepest meaning when its focus is others. We are our brother's and sister's keepers. Paul tells us to "follow the way of love" (1Corinthians 14:1). Love costing us much mirrors the love of God for the world; such love reflects his heart the most closely because it reveals his nature. Love which "never fails" (1Corinthians 13:8), "keeps no record of wrongs" (1Corinthians 13:5), and "always perseveres" (1Corinthians 13:7).
- Mature Jesus-followers live lives showing forth consistent growth in the ability to love without condition. Such people have picked up their crosses and see dying to self as a privilege, and a cost worth paying to be able to reflect God's love in this dark world.
5. Consistently Serving the Poor (including the poor in spirit):
Very close to the heart of God are the poor: Luke says the poor are blessed because they have the Kingdom of God (6:20). He provides for them (Psalm 68:10). He secures justice for them (Psalm 140:12). He raises them from the dust (Psalm 113:7). James says God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith and inherit the Kingdom (2:5). Jesus is anointed to preach the Good News of the Kingdom to the poor (Luke 4:18). Jesus though he was rich became poor that his poverty would enrich the faithful in the treasures of the Kingdom (2Corinthians 8:9). If a person is committed to following Jesus, he or she will be where he is (John 12:26), in the midst of the poor of the world whenever possible. Jesus-followers love who God loves, including the poor and broken in the world. It will mean a lifestyle change for sure, especially in America, but serving the poor will become a non-negotiable.
- Mature Jesus-followers will find meaning and joy in helping the materially and spiritually least fortunate in their midst and around the world. They will see what they've been given as opportunity for giving, not taking or hoarding to maintain comfort and ease of life. Sharing will be a common occurrence. They will see the poor as people made in the image of God and precious in his sight. Spiritual maturity gives people eyes to see one's most "insignificant" brothers and sisters and draw alongside with help.
6. Humility, Gentleness and Mercy:
Jesus says he is "Gentle and humble in heart" (Matthew 11:29). God is by nature merciful (Deuteronomy 4:31). His followers are called to be merciful (Luke 6:36). Humility, gentleness and mercy are strong towers in that they represent a depth of freedom from using power to gain one's way or advantage. This freedom is counter-intuitive in the eyes of most, but reflects a substantial reliance on the power and care of God rather than forcing one's way over others. The world operates as such, not the Kingdom.
Humility reveals a prudent understanding of one's true nature apart from God because everything good we are and everything we've been given comes from his hand. Humility teaches us to see ourselves rightly in relation to God and others. In fact, it notes God's incomparable greatness and others better than oneself. Humility finds no joy in the ridiculous foolishness of boasting.
Gentleness flies in the face of fear. It abhors harshness and dominance over others. Gentleness sees fear-mongering for what it is: cowardice. Gentleness is humane, able to connect with the broken and bruised humanity of others without a sense of superiority. It has no sense of guile or advantage. Gentleness is open-hearted by conviction.
Mercy holds no grudges and drops the charges by choice. It reflects God's will to show mercy to a sin-riddled world and shower blessing on the merciful walking by his ways. Mercy surprises and liberates all those who receive while expecting the boom to be lowered. Mercy is also counter-intuitive. Fallen human nature loves the blood-lust of revenge. It prizes the right to hit back. Mercy short-circuits the murderous revenge cycle and opens the only sure path to healing: unexpected forgiveness.
- Mature Jesus-followers have come to cherish humility and see it as a gracious, undeserved gift of God's unmerited favor. They know gentleness to be a healing gesture, one that shames and defuses aggression. Such people understand mercy to be very near the center of God's heart, and want to stay near there because then they are in their rightful place as followers.
Peter tells us if we've suffered for doing what is right we are blessed (1Peter 3:14). He goes on to say it's better to suffer if it's God's will for doing good than doing evil (1Peter 3:17).In chapter 4, Peter says since Christ suffered in his body that his followers should "arm themselves with the same attitude." Later in Chapter 4, he says," Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." He closes the chapter by counseling, "Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." Paul writes, "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2Timothy 3:11-3).
To truly follow Christ in this world is to incur suffering whether it be from the adversary and his minions, from enemies of the Gospel, from family, other Christians or strangers. The Scriptures allude to the fact that the closer we get to being like Christ and serving his interests in the world with courage, we will have trials, setbacks, and even persecution. I think we are often surprised when we go through a prolonged or intense period of affliction or loss. Most of us believe we are supposed to be pretty much protected from the bad stuff in life. I've known people who've abandoned Jesus because of that. The truth remains while he promises to be with us through it all, (Matthew 28:30) he also warns that the rain will fall on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45).
- Mature Jesus-followers have resigned themselves to the fact that following Christ will more than likely expose them to all manner of suffering at varying levels of intensity. Some have embraced they may even die for him because of experience and reflection on what they've come to recognize as the reality of the struggle for the Gospel and Kingdom in this world. They identify with it and go into the fray anyway. They are not heroes; they've simply decided to follow Jesus no matter the cost. They know the reward and see their obedience as life to the full, and wouldn't have it any other way.
8. The Persisting Attitude of Joy Because of Hope:
I tell people all the time attitude spells the difference between those who work out their problems and those who don't. Attitude gives proper perspective and fuels virtues. Grace-infused attitude sets people's feet advancing toward healing, freedom, life and holiness. Persistence gives attitude time to materialize and mature toward its desired ends. Without persistence most people are easily blown off course by immaturity, impatient distraction or obstacles allowed by God to strengthen resolve.
A persisting attitude of joy is a resilient mindset of joy. A person valuing wisdom chooses to learn existential joy from God. The Holy Spirit is a master at teaching joy, but sadly, many never ask him to. Most people assume joy is a feeling. We do have joyous feelings, thank God, but they are highly contextualized and fleeting for the most part. Biblical joy at its most profound is a perceiving and grasping of the stunning beauty, pleasure, freedom and life waiting just beyond the veil for all who follow Jesus faithfully. Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before him (Hebrews 12:2). He knew what his death and resurrection would create and ignite in the universe locked in slavery by the fall. Such joy is the inheritance of all persevering believers in Christ.
- Mature Jesus-followers have asked often for the mindset of joy. They want to live in the anticipation of delight unimaginable right now. They want to taste a little bit of it and hold onto joy when plenty of life will throw temptation, frustration, loss, sorrow and confusion at them all along the journey home. At the same time, they have decided long ago to learn, and put on the attitude of joy even in the valley of the shadow of death. Joy is a grace-filled antidote to life that upends and piles on.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Spending the Day With InterServe
I don't know if you've noticed this in your life with God, but I have noticed that periodically God opens me to people and spiritual or theological experiences that deepen my understand of him, his people and the way I come at life with him. Sometimes they are disturbing and convicting; other times they are inspiring and catalyzing.
A week ago Saturday I had one of those remarkable days.
I was invited by my friend, Dave Teague, a pastor who's also been a missionary with his wife, Sally, to speak with him on the theme of Spiritual Formation and Prayer. He was doing the keynote sessions, I would do a workshop on Spiritual Formation, and then we'd collaborate on a Panel Discussion at the end of the day.
I had never been to Toah Nipi and I looked forward to working with Dave and spending time with folks who bring the love of Christ and the Gospel to people who live in very hard places like Afghanistan and Pakistan. Truth be told, missionaries have always been heroes of the faith to me, so hanging out with them looked to be a gift.
It was . . .
Perhaps the most clear conviction I settled into after spending the day with these folks was the necessity of all Christ-followers having to be global Christ-followers in some manner. Perhaps all of us shouldn't spend long periods of time away doing Kingdom work in foreign lands, but all of us must be closely aware of what God is doing in the world for the sake of the Gospel. While writing a check is an important way to fund God's work around the globe, we must see the global Church of equal importance to our local churches. We are all of one tribe as someone said to me recently. When we don't, our vision gradually narrows and ends in a sad spiritual myopia. The missionaries I was with a week ago have just such an expanse of perspective, and while it's refreshing I think it's close to where God wants all of us to be.
Second to the first conviction, and a close second, is the critical importance of praying for global missions and missionaries. Doing so should be a vital part of our prayer life. Because so many of these folks' challenges and hardships fall outside the norm they need our prayer. Because so many go to very tough and dangerous places they need our calling out to heaven on their behalf for protection and provision.We become connected to them through praying for them. And shouldn't we want to see God's Kingdom come all across the earth? Prayer opens holes in the darkness and establishes the ways and means for God's redemptive work to take hold. God makes it all happen, but we have a peculiar influence in that regard. So we need to be praying for peoples, countries, missions organizations and missionaries. If you're not already so engaged, ask God to direct your steps to the people and places he wants you to fight for on your knees.
I think our churches also must to be supporting and sending churches. I know many are, but many are not beyond the yearly denominationally-driven "One Great Hour of Sharing" events. I'm not knocking those at all. But I think it more energizing and inspiring for a congregation to directly support individual missionaries or missions organizations so they enter into real-time relationships with flesh and blood people who depend on their generosity to continue the work. It is all our obligation in my mind. My deepest hope, though, is every local congregation would create an atmosphere where the missionary-mindset is established, people go on short-term missions as part of the church culture, and gifted people are identified and sent on behalf of a local church in full-time service. I know there are churches that do all of it, but I'd like to see every church do so, no matter how small. I know part of imagine/Northampton's vision is to create this missional culture. We'll get there.
Being with the Interserve people made me aware of the cost of following Christ full-bore and the heart it takes to do so. God opened me to lift my head to look to the horizon where my brothers and sisters are laboring with love and skill and courage because God called them to it. They are walking the walk, and with the news today about medical missionaries being murdered in Afghanistan, sometimes paying the ultimate price with their lives, it seems all the more compelling to take up the yoke with them in some way.
Curiously, one of the docs killed was the husband of someone who spoke to the group last Saturday. There was another family there who lost a son as well. This woman told her own harrowing story of almost dying recently because of a surgery infection she suffered while in country. She was within a few hours of dying. She planned to return soon to rejoin her husband.
I hope what I experienced last Saturday will penetrate deep into my heart and permanently expand my vision for God's Kingdom well beyond Northampton. I think he had me at Toah Nipi to begin just that. Now I need to follow him in the direction he leads. I want to and will watch for how he continues to open me to his global work.
A week ago Saturday I had one of those remarkable days.
I was invited by my friend, Dave Teague, a pastor who's also been a missionary with his wife, Sally, to speak with him on the theme of Spiritual Formation and Prayer. He was doing the keynote sessions, I would do a workshop on Spiritual Formation, and then we'd collaborate on a Panel Discussion at the end of the day.
I had never been to Toah Nipi and I looked forward to working with Dave and spending time with folks who bring the love of Christ and the Gospel to people who live in very hard places like Afghanistan and Pakistan. Truth be told, missionaries have always been heroes of the faith to me, so hanging out with them looked to be a gift.
It was . . .
Perhaps the most clear conviction I settled into after spending the day with these folks was the necessity of all Christ-followers having to be global Christ-followers in some manner. Perhaps all of us shouldn't spend long periods of time away doing Kingdom work in foreign lands, but all of us must be closely aware of what God is doing in the world for the sake of the Gospel. While writing a check is an important way to fund God's work around the globe, we must see the global Church of equal importance to our local churches. We are all of one tribe as someone said to me recently. When we don't, our vision gradually narrows and ends in a sad spiritual myopia. The missionaries I was with a week ago have just such an expanse of perspective, and while it's refreshing I think it's close to where God wants all of us to be.
Second to the first conviction, and a close second, is the critical importance of praying for global missions and missionaries. Doing so should be a vital part of our prayer life. Because so many of these folks' challenges and hardships fall outside the norm they need our prayer. Because so many go to very tough and dangerous places they need our calling out to heaven on their behalf for protection and provision.We become connected to them through praying for them. And shouldn't we want to see God's Kingdom come all across the earth? Prayer opens holes in the darkness and establishes the ways and means for God's redemptive work to take hold. God makes it all happen, but we have a peculiar influence in that regard. So we need to be praying for peoples, countries, missions organizations and missionaries. If you're not already so engaged, ask God to direct your steps to the people and places he wants you to fight for on your knees.
I think our churches also must to be supporting and sending churches. I know many are, but many are not beyond the yearly denominationally-driven "One Great Hour of Sharing" events. I'm not knocking those at all. But I think it more energizing and inspiring for a congregation to directly support individual missionaries or missions organizations so they enter into real-time relationships with flesh and blood people who depend on their generosity to continue the work. It is all our obligation in my mind. My deepest hope, though, is every local congregation would create an atmosphere where the missionary-mindset is established, people go on short-term missions as part of the church culture, and gifted people are identified and sent on behalf of a local church in full-time service. I know there are churches that do all of it, but I'd like to see every church do so, no matter how small. I know part of imagine/Northampton's vision is to create this missional culture. We'll get there.
Being with the Interserve people made me aware of the cost of following Christ full-bore and the heart it takes to do so. God opened me to lift my head to look to the horizon where my brothers and sisters are laboring with love and skill and courage because God called them to it. They are walking the walk, and with the news today about medical missionaries being murdered in Afghanistan, sometimes paying the ultimate price with their lives, it seems all the more compelling to take up the yoke with them in some way.
Curiously, one of the docs killed was the husband of someone who spoke to the group last Saturday. There was another family there who lost a son as well. This woman told her own harrowing story of almost dying recently because of a surgery infection she suffered while in country. She was within a few hours of dying. She planned to return soon to rejoin her husband.
I hope what I experienced last Saturday will penetrate deep into my heart and permanently expand my vision for God's Kingdom well beyond Northampton. I think he had me at Toah Nipi to begin just that. Now I need to follow him in the direction he leads. I want to and will watch for how he continues to open me to his global work.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
When a Simple Conversation Freshens the Journey.
Yesterday I had a phone conversation with a friend and someone I have had the privilege of being a Spiritual Director to over the years. I have watched her grow in depth of faith, and love for Jesus and his Kingdom. She has come far in her journey with him.
The phone call was one of those check-in-with-one-another varieties. In the course of so doing our friend began to talk about how what she was doing was "wrecking her" with regard to the way she has been living the Christian life. Jesus is "radicalizing" her understanding of what it means to follow him wholeheartedly She related her life will never be the same. She knows she can't go back to the old ways of being Christian. This awareness both scares and inspires her. Indeed.
In the course of the conversation she also related how what we are doing in Northampton through imagine has been pulling at her of late. She has followed our journey here since its inception and now God seems to be whispering to her about more than following from afar. It is still a whisper to be sure, but clearly something is up.
After our exchange, I noticed I was pleasantly bouyed and refreshed for a bit. The day had been what I referred to on Twitter as "crazy-quilt" with all sorts of interruptions from every which way, and no real sense of momentum materializing. I was a little unnerved at times. And frustrated.
What I realized when I thought about it was how refreshed and motivated I become when talking about imagine/Northampton with someone who is getting it: the dream, the vision, the struggle and challenge of trying to plant it in this tough town. When I get to do so the enterprise feels real and substantial. When others respond with interest more than "Wow! That's cool," I get excited because perhaps they are going to get into the fray, and help shoulder forward the mission. Now we're getting somewhere.
I am also heartened when I see God percolating in them the same desire he percolated in me and Tricia, Jim, Karin, Matt and Karen back in Simsbury a few years ago. He is at work behind the scenes birthing this mission. Such awareness braces me.
So thank you, Father, and thank you, Ms. Smith, for the conversation.
May it be a piece of the gloriously redemptive Kingdom of God taking deeper hold in us, and in Northampton, Massachusetts!
Maranatha for real!
The phone call was one of those check-in-with-one-another varieties. In the course of so doing our friend began to talk about how what she was doing was "wrecking her" with regard to the way she has been living the Christian life. Jesus is "radicalizing" her understanding of what it means to follow him wholeheartedly She related her life will never be the same. She knows she can't go back to the old ways of being Christian. This awareness both scares and inspires her. Indeed.
In the course of the conversation she also related how what we are doing in Northampton through imagine has been pulling at her of late. She has followed our journey here since its inception and now God seems to be whispering to her about more than following from afar. It is still a whisper to be sure, but clearly something is up.
After our exchange, I noticed I was pleasantly bouyed and refreshed for a bit. The day had been what I referred to on Twitter as "crazy-quilt" with all sorts of interruptions from every which way, and no real sense of momentum materializing. I was a little unnerved at times. And frustrated.
What I realized when I thought about it was how refreshed and motivated I become when talking about imagine/Northampton with someone who is getting it: the dream, the vision, the struggle and challenge of trying to plant it in this tough town. When I get to do so the enterprise feels real and substantial. When others respond with interest more than "Wow! That's cool," I get excited because perhaps they are going to get into the fray, and help shoulder forward the mission. Now we're getting somewhere.
I am also heartened when I see God percolating in them the same desire he percolated in me and Tricia, Jim, Karin, Matt and Karen back in Simsbury a few years ago. He is at work behind the scenes birthing this mission. Such awareness braces me.
So thank you, Father, and thank you, Ms. Smith, for the conversation.
May it be a piece of the gloriously redemptive Kingdom of God taking deeper hold in us, and in Northampton, Massachusetts!
Maranatha for real!
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