The life of one pursuing Christ is a communal adventure of Pursuit and Prevention.
Yes we pursue alone in the quiet spaces of our lives, but we're designed to pursue together. Just as the whole body can run a race more effectively than a single thumb can, disciples will pursue Christ and prevent entrapment together more effectively and joyfully as the Church than we ever will as lone rangers.
In his first letter to Timothy in 6:3-16 we're challenged with a framework of pursue and prevent for the ongoing rhythm of discerning truth from falsehood in our discipleship to Christ. Within the context of the IN rhythm of our lives we're gifted with the ability to discern what is best and we do so in order to glorify God in deeper and greater ways.
Pursue /
...pursue righteousness...and fight the good fight of faith.
Jesus called His disciples to Love God and to Love others. Loving God requires pursuing Him and Loving others requires sharing our pursuit of Him.
As disciples we demonstrate our faith in spirit and truth when we first pursue Christ. This pursuit of Christ is the foundation of prevention and reveals itself in the Triangle Rhythm of UP / IN / OUT in our daily lives. According to Paul we seek to adorn:
godliness: taking on the character of the Father as sons and daughters
faith: a palpable experiential belief in the Son of God
love: the core attribute of God from which every other flows
endurance: obedient perseverance in our salvation
gentleness: the grace and humility of God on display in our mindset
Clothing every ounce of our being in these Gospel attributes is a demonstration of our pursuit of the One. And it's this pursuit in taking hold of the eternal life that we've confessed as believers and disciples that fosters the very Armor of the Spirit that both protects us from the attacks of the evil one & prevents our chasing after his enticements.
Prevent /
We sin. It's true. But you man of God, flee from all this.
There is a difference in living a lifestyle of sin away from the gracious forgiveness of Christ AND the lifestyle of a disciple pursuing Christlikeness who yet sins.
A lifestyle where evil has ensnared your actions, your hearts desire, the thoughts and reflections of your mind is a life that has 'wandered from the faith' and is subsequently 'pierced with many griefs.'
This is the temptation trap every disciple is commanded and so encouraged to prevent and to help our brothers and sisters prevent. Paul's challenge to Timothy was recognize and then to snuff out these evil desires.
And the church today is in just that same position to Pursue Christ and so Prevent entrapment in false teachings, cultural pleasures and social and civil movements that burn against the heart of the Father for His people
Our culture is so eager to diverge from any expression of Biblical Truth that to allow these worldly values to shape the rhythm and movement of the Kingdom here and now is to press into the very corruption that pursuing God prevents.
The intimate space of 1x1 disciplemaking and the personal space of the huddle are key avenues for modeling, sharing and training believers in this Pursue / Prevent pattern. Spending time daily and weekly with those we're discipling and engaging in direct and honest Kairos Moment conversations in Scripture and life fosters a faith-ownership worthy of the very call and confession of Christ in ways that outpaces the alternative and more common rhythm of the Sunday-service-voyeur.
Living in the IN spaces of daily life: accountability, disciplemaking, huddle, missional community and central gatherings etc. it is absolutely vital that Pursuit of Christ in unity and humility is at the core so that Prevention of those bittersweet evil desires that entice remains divinely effective.
Read 1 Timothy 6 to grasp Paul's call to Pursue and Prevent in greater depth. Read Ephesians 6 for the Armor.
Showing posts with label discernment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label discernment. Show all posts
11/20/14
Just Think: Eisenhower Matrix
Apparently President Eisenhower once said, "The most urgent decisions are rarely the most important ones." And so I'm assuming the below tool mystically sprang up in accordance with his quote.
In an ongoing series (with the theme music being 'Right Now' by Van Halen) I'll be posting tools for decision-making, brainstorming, organizing, re-imagining, en-visioning etc. Basically tools useful for creatively and strategically living life on mission. Most of these are transferable to different areas of life, for example:
So let's start with the Eisenhower Matrix and I'll state now that while I've seen this elsewhere I have directly taken this from The Decision Book: 50 Models for Strategic Thinking.
Resting on the axis of Important / Urgent we have 4 quadrants:
1. Not Important / Not Urgent
2. Important / Not Urgent
3. Urgent / Not Important
4. Urgent / Important
I recently spent time charting out my rhythm of life for this holiday season. Everything from Christmas shopping to study for John's Story and discussion to Home Projects. In fact, each of the four quadrants I then divided into four more quadrants and started really clarifying what was the MOST Urgent / Important of those on the list etc.
The night I charted this stuff out and presented it to my wife I immediately felt confident to dive into the most pertinent (great word) project, one that was both Urgent & Important (a Christmas project my son is working on), while leaving on the desk a personal project that is Important (to me) though not Urgent whatsoever.
Personally speaking, there's something about flexibility that MUST be a part of my daily rhythm when it comes to deadlines, and being a good steward of my time and energy authors that flexible rhythm all the more and fosters Christlike character growth (Matthew 25:20-21, Colossians 3:23)
I'm interested to see if this one becomes a habit or a one-season-offering to the God of management...
The Decision Book: 50 Models for Strategic Thinking by Mikael Krogerus & Roman Tschappeler
In an ongoing series (with the theme music being 'Right Now' by Van Halen) I'll be posting tools for decision-making, brainstorming, organizing, re-imagining, en-visioning etc. Basically tools useful for creatively and strategically living life on mission. Most of these are transferable to different areas of life, for example:
- organizing and casting vision for our Missional Communities
- creatively and joyfully planing our family calendar
- casting vision for our organizations and business'
 |
| The Eisenhower Matrix from The Decision Book |
Resting on the axis of Important / Urgent we have 4 quadrants:
1. Not Important / Not Urgent
2. Important / Not Urgent
3. Urgent / Not Important
4. Urgent / Important
I recently spent time charting out my rhythm of life for this holiday season. Everything from Christmas shopping to study for John's Story and discussion to Home Projects. In fact, each of the four quadrants I then divided into four more quadrants and started really clarifying what was the MOST Urgent / Important of those on the list etc.
The night I charted this stuff out and presented it to my wife I immediately felt confident to dive into the most pertinent (great word) project, one that was both Urgent & Important (a Christmas project my son is working on), while leaving on the desk a personal project that is Important (to me) though not Urgent whatsoever.
Personally speaking, there's something about flexibility that MUST be a part of my daily rhythm when it comes to deadlines, and being a good steward of my time and energy authors that flexible rhythm all the more and fosters Christlike character growth (Matthew 25:20-21, Colossians 3:23)
I'm interested to see if this one becomes a habit or a one-season-offering to the God of management...
The Decision Book: 50 Models for Strategic Thinking by Mikael Krogerus & Roman Tschappeler
7/16/14
Called & Quiet?
There's a new/old tension in the Western Church lately regarding the form and quality of discipleship. A tension in philosophy where on the one hand every disciple is called and gifted to be engaged in incarnational mission while on the other appropriate Christian programming within the church is the focus and scope of discipleship.
Missional communities or small groups?
1x1 disciple making and multiplication or classroom Bible study?
Between Matthew 28:18-20 'Go and make disciples,' and 1 Thess. 4:11-12 'Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.'
There is a real tension, a real division in thought and practice between a local body that sees every individual actually doing the work of ministry as one united body AND a local church whose overseers do the work and invite the body to come and see.
The problem is that Jesus' call to make disciples (Matt 28) is not a different call from Paul's later challenge to live quietly (1 Thess. 4). That while there might be tension built into these dueling passages there's unity of mission. Even where there is a difference of interpretation there is no less a call to fulfill both.
Go & Do: We're familiar with the charge of Christ to go and make disciples of all nations. And we're familiar with the subsequent disciple making movement in Acts. We may even be familiar with the reality that in the following three hundred years after Christ much of the Middle East and most of Europe had converted to Christianity. So the rhythm of personally proclaiming Christ and then personally teaching others to obey His commands = making disciples, may be radical to us but it's not new territory.
But this isn't separate from Paul's charge to aspire to a humble and quiet life. To work diligently with our hands and win over outsiders. What's the context? Is there a reason for this intentionally mild-mannered challenge in light of Jesus' radical call? Probably.
Stay & Be: The Thessalonians turned from their idols to Christ in such a way that they became a model to all of Macedonia and Achaia (1:7). Their faith had become known everywhere (1:8). Despite severe suffering they were infused by the Holy Spirit to endure and so imitate Jesus (1:6). They abandoned their temples, discarded their false teachings, dropped out of trades and unions devoted to false gods and were most likely denied access to many social functions. Culture felt the impact.
Paul thanks God for their 'work produced by faith' - 'labor prompted by love' - 'endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ' (1:2-3)
Even their brotherly love is so extravagant that Paul notes their understanding and lifestyle of love has been directly taught by God and felt all over the countryside (4:9). Paul even urges them to demonstrate it more and more (:10). It's as if the humble and quiet life he goes on to cherish is full of persecution, hard work both in the use of their spiritual gifts and their vocation, a genuine labor of love-lifestyle towards all brothers and sisters and an endurance through all things for the sake of Christ!
Apparently this joyful (5:16), prayerful (5:17), thankful (5:18), zealous (5:19), faithful (5:20), discerning (5:21), aware (5:22) quiet and humble lifestyle is exactly what Jesus meant when He prayed for future generations of disciples on mission (John 17) and then called His own disciples to go and make disciples until the whole world knows of His love.
So, where is this tension? It's not in the Biblical call to make disciples. It's not in a lifestyle that demonstrates His Truth wholly. Where is it?
The tension arises in two places (actually more but I'm writing here and this is all I want to cover):
Misunderstandings of gifts and personality: We generally agree that the spiritual gifts are given to serve the body and entice the non-believers to Gods grace - but personality is a messy and subjective discussion. That our personalities are given by God and shaped by our circumstances is an important piece of who we are and how the Lord calls us.
I wonder if it isn't within a deeper understanding of our personalities that our humble and quiet life is better discerned. Yes, our culture will shape how the Gospel is lived out and communicated, but so will our personalities. That two very different disciples both with the gift of teaching may very well utilize this gift in very different capacities - one on a stage and the other in a living room.
My wife and are both quite introverted and yet her form of quiet yet intentional living quite naturally looks different than mine and often we're tweaking and shaping and challenging and sacrificing what that means within our household and ministry.
Living quietly and working diligently will be different in different towns, homes and local churches - yet the work of making disciples will always be laborious, faithful and self-sacrificial work requiring perseverance and wrought with forms of persecution.
Who are you in Christ and who are you called to connect with intentionally yet humbly?
Missional communities or small groups?
1x1 disciple making and multiplication or classroom Bible study?
There is a real tension, a real division in thought and practice between a local body that sees every individual actually doing the work of ministry as one united body AND a local church whose overseers do the work and invite the body to come and see.
The problem is that Jesus' call to make disciples (Matt 28) is not a different call from Paul's later challenge to live quietly (1 Thess. 4). That while there might be tension built into these dueling passages there's unity of mission. Even where there is a difference of interpretation there is no less a call to fulfill both.
Go & Do: We're familiar with the charge of Christ to go and make disciples of all nations. And we're familiar with the subsequent disciple making movement in Acts. We may even be familiar with the reality that in the following three hundred years after Christ much of the Middle East and most of Europe had converted to Christianity. So the rhythm of personally proclaiming Christ and then personally teaching others to obey His commands = making disciples, may be radical to us but it's not new territory.
But this isn't separate from Paul's charge to aspire to a humble and quiet life. To work diligently with our hands and win over outsiders. What's the context? Is there a reason for this intentionally mild-mannered challenge in light of Jesus' radical call? Probably.
Stay & Be: The Thessalonians turned from their idols to Christ in such a way that they became a model to all of Macedonia and Achaia (1:7). Their faith had become known everywhere (1:8). Despite severe suffering they were infused by the Holy Spirit to endure and so imitate Jesus (1:6). They abandoned their temples, discarded their false teachings, dropped out of trades and unions devoted to false gods and were most likely denied access to many social functions. Culture felt the impact.
Paul thanks God for their 'work produced by faith' - 'labor prompted by love' - 'endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ' (1:2-3)
Even their brotherly love is so extravagant that Paul notes their understanding and lifestyle of love has been directly taught by God and felt all over the countryside (4:9). Paul even urges them to demonstrate it more and more (:10). It's as if the humble and quiet life he goes on to cherish is full of persecution, hard work both in the use of their spiritual gifts and their vocation, a genuine labor of love-lifestyle towards all brothers and sisters and an endurance through all things for the sake of Christ!
Apparently this joyful (5:16), prayerful (5:17), thankful (5:18), zealous (5:19), faithful (5:20), discerning (5:21), aware (5:22) quiet and humble lifestyle is exactly what Jesus meant when He prayed for future generations of disciples on mission (John 17) and then called His own disciples to go and make disciples until the whole world knows of His love.
So, where is this tension? It's not in the Biblical call to make disciples. It's not in a lifestyle that demonstrates His Truth wholly. Where is it?
The tension arises in two places (actually more but I'm writing here and this is all I want to cover):
- General & Specific Fears
- Misunderstanding of Gifts / Personality
Misunderstandings of gifts and personality: We generally agree that the spiritual gifts are given to serve the body and entice the non-believers to Gods grace - but personality is a messy and subjective discussion. That our personalities are given by God and shaped by our circumstances is an important piece of who we are and how the Lord calls us.
I wonder if it isn't within a deeper understanding of our personalities that our humble and quiet life is better discerned. Yes, our culture will shape how the Gospel is lived out and communicated, but so will our personalities. That two very different disciples both with the gift of teaching may very well utilize this gift in very different capacities - one on a stage and the other in a living room.
My wife and are both quite introverted and yet her form of quiet yet intentional living quite naturally looks different than mine and often we're tweaking and shaping and challenging and sacrificing what that means within our household and ministry.
Living quietly and working diligently will be different in different towns, homes and local churches - yet the work of making disciples will always be laborious, faithful and self-sacrificial work requiring perseverance and wrought with forms of persecution.
Who are you in Christ and who are you called to connect with intentionally yet humbly?
4/2/14
Quality AND Quantity 3
You know what, let's go ahead and put some healthy parameters on Quantity and Quality just to make things interesting. Let's extract some key statutes The LORD asks of the Israelites as He sends them on their journey to possess the Land He has Promised them.
As it pertains to Quality:
As it pertains to Quantity:
Following the call to journey steadfastly as a family unit (an oikos) with parents training and equipping their children to inquire of, seek after, know, serve, love and worship the LORD (Deut. 6), the Lord follows up with the above attributes of an extended family, a chosen people on mission together.
The question the above parameters sets before us is not whether we are engaging in each one (Fear, Service, etc.) - but whether or not we are engaging with those we're most directly and divinely entrusted with daily?
As it pertains to Quality:
- Fear the LORD your God
- Walk in all His ways
- Love Him
- Serve the LORD your God with all your heart and soul
- Observe the LORD's commands and decrees given for your own good
As it pertains to Quantity:
- Fear the LORD your God
- Walk in all His ways
- Love Him
- Serve the LORD your God with all your heart and soul
- Observe the LORD's commands and decrees given for your own good
Following the call to journey steadfastly as a family unit (an oikos) with parents training and equipping their children to inquire of, seek after, know, serve, love and worship the LORD (Deut. 6), the Lord follows up with the above attributes of an extended family, a chosen people on mission together.
Together moving towards the Promised Land. Moving towards a greater fulfillment of the very Covenant God made with Abraham and fulfills in Christ.
Enjoy fostering some immediate prayer, discernment and practice in relation to each aspect above.
Read Deuteronomy 10:11 - 11:32. Dig into a Gospel and note the Quality and Quantity of the life of Jesus with His nearest and dearest.
3/29/14
Quality OR Quantity 2
I appreciate the tension the topic of Quality/Quantity brings with it.
Each one of us will process with our own immediate context to filter the concepts of Q/Q through, and for many of us this stirs up frustration and the like. We assume that only a dreamer can have it both ways, an idealist out of touch with reality (Gwyneth P. syndrome I suppose). That the author is unaware of what he is really saying. I am a fool, that I can testify to and yet I believe this is a conversation worth processing.
Let's do two things to help make this idea of living on mission with your framily (not the Sprint plan), through the lens of Quality/Quantity, more palatable.
1. Let's put some spiritually set-apart meat on this (awkward phrase but you can roll with it). In the last post we noted Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Read it again and highlight the key spaces God decrees (:1) that we walk in with our families (both immediate and extended as we move into the greater family plan according the Jesus and His Church).
He highlights this call to 'Love the Lord your God' repeatedly (7:12, 8:6, 10:12-22, 11:1-32 etc).
Not only does he cover every moment of the day (Quantity) but the LORD notes that this time is spent enjoying Him with those dearest to us (Quality).
We see this graphically displayed in the NT in both Acts 2 & 4. I know, I know, I know...this 2014 and that type of giving and receiving and sharing in life together is nonsense here in the Western world you and I thrive in. But what if the principle is the same even if the physical isn't?
What if the principle of sharing in life together in such overwhelming ways is the same? I spend time with your kids when you're at work because we're family. You spend time with my wife (ahem, ladies) when I'm gone in order to share in the journey of life. That we walk together at sun-up. We share stories of Jesus in passing and in sitting. Over coffee and in the moment we regard both Quantity and Quality as equal infusers in our lives on mission (and by the way, on mission is simply another way of saying intentionally, purpose-filled, directed towards the very things that glorify God and His mission...)
We rearrange our work schedules to best of our ability to be home more. We make lunch plans with our spouses and newborns. We disciple in the dining room so our 6 year can witness, partake and be loved on in the process. We scratch another volunteer opportunity off the list and instead simply sit on our porch and catch a few words with the neighbors walking by.
I don't care what it is practically, that's for you to discern but we both know if you could, if time and space and money allowed...you would do something different.
There it is: What would you do different with your family time and family energy - your family mission - if you could do anything at all?
2. Let's put some parameters on Quality and Quantity so we know when we're being work-a-holics or simply surviving. So we can discern apathy and indifference from peace and patience.
Actually, let's not. At least not right now and not in detail. Once we attach specific acts to Quality and hours to Quantity we begin the journey into the legalities of such concepts instead of the freedoms intended.
So for conversations sake since I have a personal word quota I'm shooting for here, let's just say that in order for you and your family to truly define these and live them out well you've got to be willing to throw your personal goals, vision, dreams, calendar, and wallets on the table and redefine what is most important through the lens of Biblical familihood and eternity in light of the mission and message of Christ.
Simple right.
This isn't just a matter of reading through Ephesians 5 and doing a marital gut-check, though it might be that. Nor is it pouring over the qualities of Godly men and women found in the Pastoral Epistles though these are fantastic for every believer to do as each one of us ought to be leading/influencing others in some capacity.
No, this is a matter of sitting in the Gospel. Resting in the story of God. Pressing into and shaking together your actual life with the life of the man/woman truly chasing after Gods very heart.
Read the sermon on the mount in Matt 5 and then check out the 5 key attributes of life God sought from the Israelites in Deut. 10:12-13...and :14-22 for that matter.
Look. The idea is to wrestle with your heart, your sin, your current reality (which you simply might not be able to control in this season, but make it a season if at all possible, don't make it a lifestyle). Yes, it's a loose concept and will vary from family to family depending on your gift mix, culture, desires, the Lords desires, opportunities and the like. Though it's a generic conversation of Q/Q - it's pertinent, it's vital and it may be the difference between a healthy marriage, a mending marriage, and no marriage at all. A healthy daughter or a daughter seeking 'quality' elsewhere. A healthy son, or a son without confidence but a dad who certainly can be engaged once a week in that scheduled sabbaths moment of need.
I hope you're offended in someway, I hope you feel as though you're falling short as I have. Of course only with the hope that you reevaluate and discern Q/Q with the abounding love and wisdom of the Father. That you grow in knowledge of Him and His desires for you and your family and friends and neighbors and disciples. That you might 'discern what is best and may be pure and blameless' in your lives (Philippians 1).
If it means downsizing your home so mom can be with the kids more often, or that you might tag team the work schedule in fresh ways then just do it, you won't regret not having that extra living room or tv or whatever thing it might be.
If it means opening up your life for the first time to a trustworthy local Body of believers in order that your kids might not be alone as much while you work to put food on the table, then please seek that out now.
Get creative. Define well.
I'll be honest, I did not intend to evaluate the Quantity/Quality paradigm in my life. It was thrust upon me in recent months. For the first time in years I have gotten to witness the 10am meltdown my daughter has as she pleads her near-death pleas for a snack - never saw that on daddies perfect day home because I was too busy coddling her and sneaking her treats. And I'll be honest, when she did meltdown, I had no patience for it on my only day home.
I have gotten to sit quietly with my son. Both of us in the same room simply reading to ourselves without vying for one another's affections. Just being. Sharing in His affections silently and without regret.
I have eaten more meals with my family, changed more diapers, told more stories about the wild reality of God in History and in our lives, and gone to bed at the same time as my awesome wife...than ever before.
I yet disciple several young men, I disciple my son, I am a student wrapping up a degree, I am a part time worker, my wife is a part time worker, we throw parties, visit family, connect with friends, huddle (probably not what you think), cuddle (probably what you think), blog, write kids books, work on my house and my car, and longboard. I wouldn't say apathy is the name of my game. But neither is careerism.
Re-discern your definition of Quality & Quantity.
Each one of us will process with our own immediate context to filter the concepts of Q/Q through, and for many of us this stirs up frustration and the like. We assume that only a dreamer can have it both ways, an idealist out of touch with reality (Gwyneth P. syndrome I suppose). That the author is unaware of what he is really saying. I am a fool, that I can testify to and yet I believe this is a conversation worth processing.
1. Let's put some spiritually set-apart meat on this (awkward phrase but you can roll with it). In the last post we noted Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Read it again and highlight the key spaces God decrees (:1) that we walk in with our families (both immediate and extended as we move into the greater family plan according the Jesus and His Church).
He highlights this call to 'Love the Lord your God' repeatedly (7:12, 8:6, 10:12-22, 11:1-32 etc).
Not only does he cover every moment of the day (Quantity) but the LORD notes that this time is spent enjoying Him with those dearest to us (Quality).
We see this graphically displayed in the NT in both Acts 2 & 4. I know, I know, I know...this 2014 and that type of giving and receiving and sharing in life together is nonsense here in the Western world you and I thrive in. But what if the principle is the same even if the physical isn't?
What if the principle of sharing in life together in such overwhelming ways is the same? I spend time with your kids when you're at work because we're family. You spend time with my wife (ahem, ladies) when I'm gone in order to share in the journey of life. That we walk together at sun-up. We share stories of Jesus in passing and in sitting. Over coffee and in the moment we regard both Quantity and Quality as equal infusers in our lives on mission (and by the way, on mission is simply another way of saying intentionally, purpose-filled, directed towards the very things that glorify God and His mission...)
We rearrange our work schedules to best of our ability to be home more. We make lunch plans with our spouses and newborns. We disciple in the dining room so our 6 year can witness, partake and be loved on in the process. We scratch another volunteer opportunity off the list and instead simply sit on our porch and catch a few words with the neighbors walking by.
I don't care what it is practically, that's for you to discern but we both know if you could, if time and space and money allowed...you would do something different.
There it is: What would you do different with your family time and family energy - your family mission - if you could do anything at all?
2. Let's put some parameters on Quality and Quantity so we know when we're being work-a-holics or simply surviving. So we can discern apathy and indifference from peace and patience.
Actually, let's not. At least not right now and not in detail. Once we attach specific acts to Quality and hours to Quantity we begin the journey into the legalities of such concepts instead of the freedoms intended.
So for conversations sake since I have a personal word quota I'm shooting for here, let's just say that in order for you and your family to truly define these and live them out well you've got to be willing to throw your personal goals, vision, dreams, calendar, and wallets on the table and redefine what is most important through the lens of Biblical familihood and eternity in light of the mission and message of Christ.
Simple right.
This isn't just a matter of reading through Ephesians 5 and doing a marital gut-check, though it might be that. Nor is it pouring over the qualities of Godly men and women found in the Pastoral Epistles though these are fantastic for every believer to do as each one of us ought to be leading/influencing others in some capacity.
No, this is a matter of sitting in the Gospel. Resting in the story of God. Pressing into and shaking together your actual life with the life of the man/woman truly chasing after Gods very heart.
Read the sermon on the mount in Matt 5 and then check out the 5 key attributes of life God sought from the Israelites in Deut. 10:12-13...and :14-22 for that matter.
Look. The idea is to wrestle with your heart, your sin, your current reality (which you simply might not be able to control in this season, but make it a season if at all possible, don't make it a lifestyle). Yes, it's a loose concept and will vary from family to family depending on your gift mix, culture, desires, the Lords desires, opportunities and the like. Though it's a generic conversation of Q/Q - it's pertinent, it's vital and it may be the difference between a healthy marriage, a mending marriage, and no marriage at all. A healthy daughter or a daughter seeking 'quality' elsewhere. A healthy son, or a son without confidence but a dad who certainly can be engaged once a week in that scheduled sabbaths moment of need.
I hope you're offended in someway, I hope you feel as though you're falling short as I have. Of course only with the hope that you reevaluate and discern Q/Q with the abounding love and wisdom of the Father. That you grow in knowledge of Him and His desires for you and your family and friends and neighbors and disciples. That you might 'discern what is best and may be pure and blameless' in your lives (Philippians 1).
If it means downsizing your home so mom can be with the kids more often, or that you might tag team the work schedule in fresh ways then just do it, you won't regret not having that extra living room or tv or whatever thing it might be.
If it means opening up your life for the first time to a trustworthy local Body of believers in order that your kids might not be alone as much while you work to put food on the table, then please seek that out now.
Get creative. Define well.
I'll be honest, I did not intend to evaluate the Quantity/Quality paradigm in my life. It was thrust upon me in recent months. For the first time in years I have gotten to witness the 10am meltdown my daughter has as she pleads her near-death pleas for a snack - never saw that on daddies perfect day home because I was too busy coddling her and sneaking her treats. And I'll be honest, when she did meltdown, I had no patience for it on my only day home.
I have gotten to sit quietly with my son. Both of us in the same room simply reading to ourselves without vying for one another's affections. Just being. Sharing in His affections silently and without regret.
I have eaten more meals with my family, changed more diapers, told more stories about the wild reality of God in History and in our lives, and gone to bed at the same time as my awesome wife...than ever before.
I yet disciple several young men, I disciple my son, I am a student wrapping up a degree, I am a part time worker, my wife is a part time worker, we throw parties, visit family, connect with friends, huddle (probably not what you think), cuddle (probably what you think), blog, write kids books, work on my house and my car, and longboard. I wouldn't say apathy is the name of my game. But neither is careerism.
Re-discern your definition of Quality & Quantity.
3/28/14
Quality OR Quantity...You Choose
What if it didn't have to be a choice? What if it weren't Quality over Quantity?
Let me narrow the context a bit. Family. What if time with your family weren't straddling the line between Qualitative and Quantitative? What if being a family on mission together weren't simply a programmed event for small group nights or once a year service projects with the Church raking leaves and digging ditches...
The Sabbath doesn't exist as an excuse to spend one day of the week with your wife and your children and maybe your close friends and disciples (unless they're off limits on your day of rest as well...). This day wasn't commanded and gifted as an excuse to pack out the other 6 days to the hilt with actual ministry and kingdom building away from them.
When we view life and ministry this way (either vocational ministry or volunteer) we unnecessarily live in a Quantity/Quality paradigm. In this world we give our families limited time and in that time we exhaust ourselves by giving them every spare minute of that day both at home and with Quality special events while your home. You miss out on the normal flow of your kids moods, attention spans, schedule because you're cramming them into your day off. You miss out on a regular rhythm with your wife because you're both focused on having one really good day together with and for the kids.
I know we're single parents and work a ton just to stay alive. I know we have busy seasons at school, at work, in our personal lives. I know there are plenty of exceptions and let's be honest, most of them are attributed to our brokenness: divorce, greed, lust for more, dissatisfaction, proving ourselves, feeling valuable, false sense of peace and satisfaction, consumer culture, misunderstanding of the nature of the Body of Christ etc. Some of these things will carry effects that may not free us in this lifetime to truly wrestle with Quality/Quantity, our lot is cast. But let's not let that define a healthy paradigm for everyone who is able to model and impact the coming generations of the Church, our kids!
You and I have the ability to define Quantity and Quality time with our framilies (thanks Sprint). We can create a lifestyle that actually assumes that Gods directives in Deut. 6 were/are true and real and still effectual. That what Paul coaches Titus in regarding the older generations teaching the younger (Titus 2) that these things are daily, that they are true, that they happen in the course of life in real time, not in programs and explosive moments.
We can say that Quality time with our family looks like both the special meals, trips to the zoo and yearly vacations as well as having dinner with our family nightly. That Quantity isn't simply one single 24/hr. period in our week but is spread about with normal moments of reading the paper while our kids play, putting them down for naps, hanging out with our disciples over coffee and orange juice and neighborhood bbq's and outreach together on mission as a family.
Maybe as Bob Goff recommends, just do away with your minute by minute scheduling and make yourself available. Just be available and be available both for and with your families.
Why not do more life (ministry) out of your house? Why separate ministry and life or worse, define them inappropriately one-sided? Why not be home and share your home (family, friends, couches and food) with more people alongside your wife? Why not let your kids see how you function daily, weaknesses and strengths and struggles instead of putting on a mediocre show once a week for them. Why not love your spouse by running the race with her/him instead of practically living as single parents, bachelors and the like 6 days a week. Is that what it means to sacrifice for the Kingdom?
Why does it have to be one or the other? I understand that for those who don't know Christ there is no tomorrow should they not wake up and this is cause for movement. I understand that we're called to make disciples and that this call is with power and might and action oriented. That the time for disciplemaking is now and not later. But He is in control of that right?
But I also understand that you and I have chosen marriage and families and so must honor these relationships not just in theological theory but in practical affection. I understand that a family on mission will display the very love of God that Christ promises as the Church is truly united one framily at a time. Are non-Christians truly clamoring to get involved in the church in order that they might get really, really busy and burned out? Probably not. But no matter how much doubt, pain and dysfunction might surround you in your neighborhood, a loving and inviting framily actually doing life in Christ together will be much more inviting than, well than that Easter concert you're spending all your evenings on, even that really sweet small group your leading.
I know culture moves fast and entrepreneurship is praised and prized. I know everyone is always connected. I know our comments move at lightening speed and technology is bolstering our connectedness...I know.
I know that speed, that quick decisions, that lots of money, that big enterprises, aggressive leadership (but humble...), that pop culture, that consumerism, that short attention spans...that all of these things are culturally sought after both in and outside of the church.
But what if.
It isn't Quality over Quantity. It's both. It's Qualantity...It's both on purpose and with purpose. And it's so good.
Let me narrow the context a bit. Family. What if time with your family weren't straddling the line between Qualitative and Quantitative? What if being a family on mission together weren't simply a programmed event for small group nights or once a year service projects with the Church raking leaves and digging ditches...
When we view life and ministry this way (either vocational ministry or volunteer) we unnecessarily live in a Quantity/Quality paradigm. In this world we give our families limited time and in that time we exhaust ourselves by giving them every spare minute of that day both at home and with Quality special events while your home. You miss out on the normal flow of your kids moods, attention spans, schedule because you're cramming them into your day off. You miss out on a regular rhythm with your wife because you're both focused on having one really good day together with and for the kids.
I know we're single parents and work a ton just to stay alive. I know we have busy seasons at school, at work, in our personal lives. I know there are plenty of exceptions and let's be honest, most of them are attributed to our brokenness: divorce, greed, lust for more, dissatisfaction, proving ourselves, feeling valuable, false sense of peace and satisfaction, consumer culture, misunderstanding of the nature of the Body of Christ etc. Some of these things will carry effects that may not free us in this lifetime to truly wrestle with Quality/Quantity, our lot is cast. But let's not let that define a healthy paradigm for everyone who is able to model and impact the coming generations of the Church, our kids!
You and I have the ability to define Quantity and Quality time with our framilies (thanks Sprint). We can create a lifestyle that actually assumes that Gods directives in Deut. 6 were/are true and real and still effectual. That what Paul coaches Titus in regarding the older generations teaching the younger (Titus 2) that these things are daily, that they are true, that they happen in the course of life in real time, not in programs and explosive moments.
We can say that Quality time with our family looks like both the special meals, trips to the zoo and yearly vacations as well as having dinner with our family nightly. That Quantity isn't simply one single 24/hr. period in our week but is spread about with normal moments of reading the paper while our kids play, putting them down for naps, hanging out with our disciples over coffee and orange juice and neighborhood bbq's and outreach together on mission as a family.
Maybe as Bob Goff recommends, just do away with your minute by minute scheduling and make yourself available. Just be available and be available both for and with your families.
Why not do more life (ministry) out of your house? Why separate ministry and life or worse, define them inappropriately one-sided? Why not be home and share your home (family, friends, couches and food) with more people alongside your wife? Why not let your kids see how you function daily, weaknesses and strengths and struggles instead of putting on a mediocre show once a week for them. Why not love your spouse by running the race with her/him instead of practically living as single parents, bachelors and the like 6 days a week. Is that what it means to sacrifice for the Kingdom?
Why does it have to be one or the other? I understand that for those who don't know Christ there is no tomorrow should they not wake up and this is cause for movement. I understand that we're called to make disciples and that this call is with power and might and action oriented. That the time for disciplemaking is now and not later. But He is in control of that right?
But I also understand that you and I have chosen marriage and families and so must honor these relationships not just in theological theory but in practical affection. I understand that a family on mission will display the very love of God that Christ promises as the Church is truly united one framily at a time. Are non-Christians truly clamoring to get involved in the church in order that they might get really, really busy and burned out? Probably not. But no matter how much doubt, pain and dysfunction might surround you in your neighborhood, a loving and inviting framily actually doing life in Christ together will be much more inviting than, well than that Easter concert you're spending all your evenings on, even that really sweet small group your leading.
I know culture moves fast and entrepreneurship is praised and prized. I know everyone is always connected. I know our comments move at lightening speed and technology is bolstering our connectedness...I know.
I know that speed, that quick decisions, that lots of money, that big enterprises, aggressive leadership (but humble...), that pop culture, that consumerism, that short attention spans...that all of these things are culturally sought after both in and outside of the church.
But what if.
It isn't Quality over Quantity. It's both. It's Qualantity...It's both on purpose and with purpose. And it's so good.
3/5/14
Cult of the Contemporary
'History has a wonderful way of freeing us from the cult of the contemporary.' - Richard J. Foster
He goes on to remind us that, 'we are not the only ones [saints, Christians, disciples] who have sought to live in faithful conformity to His Word.' How refreshing.
As I sit at my dining room table, curtains drawn, glare from the snow outside brightening the gray walls, with this quote in mind I am incredibly small. There are three large church buildings, each of them at least 100 years old within view from my home. I am not the first believer to seek communion with Creator God. Nor am I the first to seek true conformity to His divine Word (Christ).
I am neither the first nor the last.
I am neither the most faithful nor the least.
I have not fully realized the Spirits giftings within and about me.
I understand some key aspects of the heart of Christ, yet continue to grasp for more.
I am unknown by most in this town yet entirely known by Christ.
There is nothing new under the sun and I am not ushering it in either (thanks King Soly).
The contemporary is a wonderful thing. By contemporary I simply mean that the Church is yet active and alive and moving here and now in honor and glory to God. Yet in these contemporary movements it's easy for me to forget that millions of faithful men and women have gone before seeking. They've come finding. They've come and gone having been reconciled to their Creator and so fostered space for others to be reconciled as well - in both deserts and cathedrals.
It's easy to forget that how we are currently experiencing the contemporary church is not the end of all experiences and expressions.
Paul reminds Titus to hold fast to the Message that was uttered In The Beginning, the same One that he heard upon the Beginning of his own New Birth into Kingdom life. Paul continued to lay out character traits of both the leaders of and the members of the Body of Christ without necessarily prescribing how the Church was to gather (though where he did get close in his letter to the Corinthians out gatherings today probably display little resemblance...)
Can we free ourselves from the 'cult of the contemporary' without picking up the burdens of ancient and useless traditions?
It's refreshing to realize how little my role is in the Kingdom on a universal scale, and meanwhile discern how large it is on an eternal scale. Both views surpass whatever contemporary movement is taking place.
Read Fosters Freedom of Simplicity and Paul's Letter to Titus.
As I sit at my dining room table, curtains drawn, glare from the snow outside brightening the gray walls, with this quote in mind I am incredibly small. There are three large church buildings, each of them at least 100 years old within view from my home. I am not the first believer to seek communion with Creator God. Nor am I the first to seek true conformity to His divine Word (Christ).
I am neither the first nor the last.
I am neither the most faithful nor the least.
I have not fully realized the Spirits giftings within and about me.
I understand some key aspects of the heart of Christ, yet continue to grasp for more.
I am unknown by most in this town yet entirely known by Christ.
There is nothing new under the sun and I am not ushering it in either (thanks King Soly).
The contemporary is a wonderful thing. By contemporary I simply mean that the Church is yet active and alive and moving here and now in honor and glory to God. Yet in these contemporary movements it's easy for me to forget that millions of faithful men and women have gone before seeking. They've come finding. They've come and gone having been reconciled to their Creator and so fostered space for others to be reconciled as well - in both deserts and cathedrals.
It's easy to forget that how we are currently experiencing the contemporary church is not the end of all experiences and expressions.
Paul reminds Titus to hold fast to the Message that was uttered In The Beginning, the same One that he heard upon the Beginning of his own New Birth into Kingdom life. Paul continued to lay out character traits of both the leaders of and the members of the Body of Christ without necessarily prescribing how the Church was to gather (though where he did get close in his letter to the Corinthians out gatherings today probably display little resemblance...)
Can we free ourselves from the 'cult of the contemporary' without picking up the burdens of ancient and useless traditions?
It's refreshing to realize how little my role is in the Kingdom on a universal scale, and meanwhile discern how large it is on an eternal scale. Both views surpass whatever contemporary movement is taking place.
Read Fosters Freedom of Simplicity and Paul's Letter to Titus.
2/25/14
5 Responses
When I hear a coach, specialist, guru, entrepreneur, leader or pastor I admire offer ways of evaluating beliefs, values, motivation, risk and the like - I tend to respond in one of the following ways and I assume you do as well:
The talk ended. I was left with my thoughts on her thoughts. Now realizing that I really didn't have a coherent series of thoughts of my own on the topic leaving me to admit that this new teaching was actually refreshing and enlightening in my current situation, thus propelling me on #5.
While you may not traverse through each in one sitting you will most likely land on one of these general emoti-thoughts.
The Question I Asked Myself Was, am I landing on the one that appropriately challenges my current disposition OR am I simply responding robotically?
- That's What I'm Sayin': I fall in agreement as though they beautifully stated how I feel/think about the issue at hand and can now confidently move forward as one supported and sent. Besides, I was already thinking it.
- I Didn't Need to Hear That: I find myself challenged beyond my comfort zone, understanding or even belief system and so delete, toss out, burn and if necessary defecate on the leaders disagreeable and most likely blasphemous article.
- I'm All Set, Thanks: These are great thoughts on the topic, I might even recommend them to a friend or two, but I'm good to go. I'm patiently running my race, values in place, vision on hand and need no new encouragement, information or guidance. Thanks.
- Where Am I: While I don't have a plan, goal, vision or set of values already guiding me on said topic, and while what the specialist is saying challenges me to nearly rethink my current status and trajectory I'll just wait this one out. One of these days I'll write my own article inspiring millions and millions of...what was I saying?
- Now That's Good: This is a relatively new way of viewing the issue. I need to explore this a bit. I need to see what Scripture says on the issue and how it works into my context of life if at all. This is a timely personal challenge.
The talk ended. I was left with my thoughts on her thoughts. Now realizing that I really didn't have a coherent series of thoughts of my own on the topic leaving me to admit that this new teaching was actually refreshing and enlightening in my current situation, thus propelling me on #5.
While you may not traverse through each in one sitting you will most likely land on one of these general emoti-thoughts.
The Question I Asked Myself Was, am I landing on the one that appropriately challenges my current disposition OR am I simply responding robotically?
10/24/13
A Key Ingredient to an Ancient Message
'Adam, here's Eve. Love her.'
'Eve, here's Adam. Honor him.'
Brooke and I dated for three years before marriage. I've uncovered a type of love not experienced with another along the journey through life together. All in all I've known my wife for over a decade, nearly 1/3 of my life.
We love one another.
We had thought this might become true as we dove into a relationship.
We proclaimed it's truth at the onset of our united life together.
We experience this truth as we travel together daily as a family.
'This is message you heard from the beginning. We should love one another.' John wrote this in the midst of describing the life of one who truly demonstrates the love of God on a daily basis. Habitually. Daily they become more like Christ than they do the devil. Pretty direct.
As we discover and experience a healthy love for one another we're demonstrating a Truth as old as anything we understand. This was and is Gods message. Love one another.
Personal observation here: Our current age, current culture desires immediate knowledge, quick decisions, immediate fulfillment. In everything from vocational success to how we want to view the world. While we might be quick to proclaim a willingness to love another, to proclaim it honestly and experience it habitually takes time. Love is slow, and just as a river slowly moves and grooves into the land, love moves likewise.
This concept flows way beyond marriage and into the array of relationships all about us. Within friendships, neighbors, working acquaintances, disciples, bosses, professors, pastors...move slow, with hope and not skepticism, move slow.
Decisions may be quick but nurturing the outcome takes time. Knowledge comes in waves yet discerning slowly how to utilize it is vital. I'm not attempting to write a prescription for the appropriate speed to obtaining relational depth...I'm simply saying there are key ingredients.
What relationships are you rushing? Why? Who are you intentional with? Is there a toxic relationship that doesn't allow for a reciprocal one-another love you ought to step back from? Is there a hard heart you ought to steadfastly, patiently share that very message from the beginning with?
Read 1 John 3 for some thoughts on what it means to love well with a love eternal.
'Eve, here's Adam. Honor him.'
Brooke and I dated for three years before marriage. I've uncovered a type of love not experienced with another along the journey through life together. All in all I've known my wife for over a decade, nearly 1/3 of my life.
We love one another.
We had thought this might become true as we dove into a relationship.
We proclaimed it's truth at the onset of our united life together.
We experience this truth as we travel together daily as a family.
'This is message you heard from the beginning. We should love one another.' John wrote this in the midst of describing the life of one who truly demonstrates the love of God on a daily basis. Habitually. Daily they become more like Christ than they do the devil. Pretty direct.
As we discover and experience a healthy love for one another we're demonstrating a Truth as old as anything we understand. This was and is Gods message. Love one another.
Personal observation here: Our current age, current culture desires immediate knowledge, quick decisions, immediate fulfillment. In everything from vocational success to how we want to view the world. While we might be quick to proclaim a willingness to love another, to proclaim it honestly and experience it habitually takes time. Love is slow, and just as a river slowly moves and grooves into the land, love moves likewise.
This concept flows way beyond marriage and into the array of relationships all about us. Within friendships, neighbors, working acquaintances, disciples, bosses, professors, pastors...move slow, with hope and not skepticism, move slow.
Decisions may be quick but nurturing the outcome takes time. Knowledge comes in waves yet discerning slowly how to utilize it is vital. I'm not attempting to write a prescription for the appropriate speed to obtaining relational depth...I'm simply saying there are key ingredients.
What relationships are you rushing? Why? Who are you intentional with? Is there a toxic relationship that doesn't allow for a reciprocal one-another love you ought to step back from? Is there a hard heart you ought to steadfastly, patiently share that very message from the beginning with?
Read 1 John 3 for some thoughts on what it means to love well with a love eternal.
9/10/13
Parenting Lessons from a Famous Made-up Father
A couple parenting lessons from a famous but made-up father.
Jesus once told a story about a Jewish son who demanded his inheritance early, while the father yet lived in fact. We know the story. The father agrees, the son takes his money and runs, wastes his life for a season and returns to his family. And the older brother who stayed was ticked and bitter. Read Luke 15:11-32.
The father in the story not only teaches us much about the love and character of our Heavenly Father, but about our role as parent to our own children. Let me draw out two observations.
First, the father attempted to live up to the sh'ma in Deuteronomy 6. To talk about God and model God-likeness in such a way that his children would know God personally. Your saying, 'but the younger son was a jerk, he was a rebel, he was a fool.' Right.
But the son also returned. He recalled the truth of his childhood and banked on it holding fast upon his return. His repentant response gives this away, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.'
Second, the father genuinely loved without bounds.
And WHEN rebellion occurs. Whether it lasts 10 minutes or 10 years, know that you have faithfully raised your children well, that the Spirit is yet at work in their heart, mind and soul.
And if they return, in whatever state they return, healthy and whole or broken and bruised - wait, watch and welcome with the very same love God offers you upon your daily return to Him.
Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Jesus once told a story about a Jewish son who demanded his inheritance early, while the father yet lived in fact. We know the story. The father agrees, the son takes his money and runs, wastes his life for a season and returns to his family. And the older brother who stayed was ticked and bitter. Read Luke 15:11-32.
The father in the story not only teaches us much about the love and character of our Heavenly Father, but about our role as parent to our own children. Let me draw out two observations.
First, the father attempted to live up to the sh'ma in Deuteronomy 6. To talk about God and model God-likeness in such a way that his children would know God personally. Your saying, 'but the younger son was a jerk, he was a rebel, he was a fool.' Right.
But the son also returned. He recalled the truth of his childhood and banked on it holding fast upon his return. His repentant response gives this away, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.'
- The son noted his sin against heaven (the Lord) first and foremost.
- The son noted his rebellion against his own father.
Second, the father genuinely loved without bounds.
- He Waited for his sons return and reconciliation.
- He Watched quite literally for his son to one day walk onto the family farm.
- He Welcomed him when he finally did.
And WHEN rebellion occurs. Whether it lasts 10 minutes or 10 years, know that you have faithfully raised your children well, that the Spirit is yet at work in their heart, mind and soul.
And if they return, in whatever state they return, healthy and whole or broken and bruised - wait, watch and welcome with the very same love God offers you upon your daily return to Him.
Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9
4/20/12
Counting & Nothing Needed
One of the greatest lines in a song I've ever experienced. I say experienced for a reason. Most lyrics, words, phrases, rhymes, etc. I listen to and once in a while even hear...but the lyric above is an experience.
It describes the fruit of evangelism. This is that place in the Gospels where most of the crowds following Jesus leave Him because His teachings are hard to understand and accept. However, the rest that stick around, who are continuously taking in the Gospel (The Message of Christ - The Story of the Scriptures), these are partaking in evangelization.
These people experience the Message. Over time they discern it's weight and the role of the One at the heart of the story. They eventually understand enough about Christ to know that:
1) His life and death and resurrection are all they need.
2) There is a cost to following Him...they are willing to begin counting that cost as earnest followers.
3) They can bring nothing to the table, nothing to His feet, nothing to the throne of God in exchange for the hope of His message.
Evangelism is a journey isn't it. It took time for me to discern the weight of the message and even more time accept it as reality.
Maybe evangelism is less 'turn on a dime or burn for all time' and more...
listen. hear. count. experience.
Read John 6:25-71 'many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed...'
Song: 'in a sweater poorly knit' mewithoutYou
2/1/12
The Static Bearer: Electrifyingly Connected
Like at one point after being made aware of your true human nature, and a transformed life in light of Christ's holiness, you desperately wanted to align yourself with His righteousness, His standard of living, His gracious love...no matter the personal cost.
'Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you,' Peter said to Jesus. All the other disciples said the same. I believe they genuinely meant this. (Matthew 26:35)
They were living alongside their Messiah. They had experiential knowledge of the Christ and became frustrated at the news that they would turn their back on their Teacher. They would never break away from Him and wanted to reassure Him of their zeal.
And yet soon enough they scatter - they deny - they run and hide - they disown - they become confused and depressed - they become the jokes of their neighbors...they lose that electrified connection that at one point in time was so strong and powerful and divine.
You've run. You've scattered. You've disconnected from the Divine that so powerfully redeemed you. Reconnect. Continue shedding the old and taking on the new:
Like in salvation - dying to self.
Like in baptism - along with Christ.
Like in sacrifice - loving others more than self.
Regeneration - from the old to the new.
Are you willing to live deeply, electrifyingly connected to Christ? His static-bearer.
Read Romans 6 - dead to sin, alive in Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5 - wisdom of God over mans. Jeremiah 17:7-8.
1/19/12
Social Security: One
There exists this constant tension in my mind and heart regarding the idea of 'Social Security'.
That if only I could achieve the appropriate title or degree or home...that I would then be socially and thus personally secure.
That the security I desire for my beautiful wife and fantastic kids might be found in societal norms, acceptance, comforts. Worse that I have a right to a certain level of social security.
I know I'm not alone in this tension, how many conversations I've had with others who struggle to find actual security in life. Who chase after temporary structures, philosophies, finances and people and end up with more positive and negative experiences yet still without security.
Social Security isn't wrong, it simply depends on what society, what kingdom, what 'norms' that sense of security emanates from. If the leader of said society is imperfect - society follows and security impaired. On the other hand, if the leader is also the Holy Author, Creator, Savior, Redeemer, Lord and King...well then security isn't so much a notion as it is a reality to be entered into.
The tension is only intensified on my end because I have been made aware of this alternate society. I have seen the light of this other kingdom. I have experienced it's peace. I have breathed in it's spirit and tread it's path. I have professed it's King. I know of this definite source of security.
As a follower of Christ I have to wrestle with the already/not-yet tension. That while the Kingdom can be seen in the Church, the fruit of the Spirit, the Word and even nature...it isn't fully integrated with our lives yet. We live in a season in time where the imperfect (you, I, our world) is in spiritual/physical tension with the perfect (God, His Kingdom). Where we can taste the divine but cannot consume it fully. We can know it and experience it...yet only in part.
I rest in the eternal security of an Eternal God. I rest in His truth. I rest in knowing that the imperfect isn't the end - that perfection is and was and will be.
Social Security. Interesting notion. What society are we attempting to find security in?
After all 'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.' If Christ called no place 'home' while here. Should I find security in the here and now...
Read Matthew 8:18-22 - not a direct response to this notion of security but a challenge to what's important.
Read Matthew 5:1-12 for a greater understanding of Kingdom social 'norms' and securities.
That the security I desire for my beautiful wife and fantastic kids might be found in societal norms, acceptance, comforts. Worse that I have a right to a certain level of social security.
I know I'm not alone in this tension, how many conversations I've had with others who struggle to find actual security in life. Who chase after temporary structures, philosophies, finances and people and end up with more positive and negative experiences yet still without security.
Social Security isn't wrong, it simply depends on what society, what kingdom, what 'norms' that sense of security emanates from. If the leader of said society is imperfect - society follows and security impaired. On the other hand, if the leader is also the Holy Author, Creator, Savior, Redeemer, Lord and King...well then security isn't so much a notion as it is a reality to be entered into.
The tension is only intensified on my end because I have been made aware of this alternate society. I have seen the light of this other kingdom. I have experienced it's peace. I have breathed in it's spirit and tread it's path. I have professed it's King. I know of this definite source of security.
As a follower of Christ I have to wrestle with the already/not-yet tension. That while the Kingdom can be seen in the Church, the fruit of the Spirit, the Word and even nature...it isn't fully integrated with our lives yet. We live in a season in time where the imperfect (you, I, our world) is in spiritual/physical tension with the perfect (God, His Kingdom). Where we can taste the divine but cannot consume it fully. We can know it and experience it...yet only in part.
I rest in the eternal security of an Eternal God. I rest in His truth. I rest in knowing that the imperfect isn't the end - that perfection is and was and will be.
Social Security. Interesting notion. What society are we attempting to find security in?
After all 'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.' If Christ called no place 'home' while here. Should I find security in the here and now...
Read Matthew 8:18-22 - not a direct response to this notion of security but a challenge to what's important.
Read Matthew 5:1-12 for a greater understanding of Kingdom social 'norms' and securities.
1/4/12
All/But
Yet for a season you're challenged by the needs of your local body, your church, to step into the lead role and steer the ship. Now you're making large-scale decisions for everyone involved. You're shepherding your fellow leaders and managing the chaos of community. You have less time to prep for teaching. You're ability to soak in the word is diminished, quiet time has been replaced with meetings and resting in grace has become a searching for it.
In several places, Paul and Peter both describe the various roles, offices, gifts of the Spirit that EVERY believer is intrinsically given upon entering into the Kingdom in the here and now. Though many of us never discover these gifts they are there, at least one and probably more.
I teach - among other things. I believe that teaching is foundational to my role in the body, my response to the Lord and my interaction with Truth.
I am not naturally a pastoral figure. Nor am I a kingly type leader. Evangelism...well my beard tends to scare people off before John 3:16 even enters the room.
I don't have All of the gifts ascribed to the body. But depending on the need and the season I am capable of stepping in and being filled with all the riches of the Spirit in order to equip the saints.
Following Christ is an All/But journey. We are all living sacrifices but we spend a lifetime shedding the old habits of the world.
All of us have at least one spiritual gift we can be confident in. But many times we need to step into other roles for a season simply to love God and love our neighbor. For many of us the experiences we share in all the different roles afford us the knowledge to discern what our strengths truly are.
There are many tools, tests, surveys, books, classes, programs you can partake in to discover your spiritual gifts. Yet if you're active in a local church I would challenge you to first study the Word and secondly to seek the wisdom of those who know you best who might be able to inform you or at least point you in the direction of you giftings. Either way, true confirmation is in the fruit of the Spirit.
If you've found your strengths you've probably found a lot of peace in your role in the body. If you haven't there's a good chance you're regularly burned out, frustrated and under-joyed...I challenge you to evaluate once again who you are in Christ.
All/But.
Read Ephesians 4:11-13 for one of several lists of gifts. Reasearch the 'one-anothers' in the Text as well for practical ways to be fruitful as you discover who you are in the Kingdom.
12/27/11
Guts Falter...
Those heart-felt, gut-confirmed decisions that seem oh so right in the heat of the moment with current information, understanding, knowledge...and yet in acting upon them we in some way, shape or form deny Christ's Truth.
Our guts lead in many areas. From believing we're called to one particular college (seemingly innocent) to claiming that the moral nature of God found in Scripture is outdated. We may become emotionally connected to someone who lives contrary to His Divine Nature (innocent). Yet in our emotion, our empathy, our limited understanding of True Love we follow our gut in place of Truth - we trade Truth for gut. Holy Spirit guidance for gut instinct.
How long has your gut been around? 30 years. My gut has been around a little over 30 years.
...Yet the wisdom of God has guided men and women from the first breath in the Garden, wanderings in the deserts, wars and factions and reunification's, tribes and languages and cultures diverse, centuries and millenia, writings in stone on through digital fingerprints...
My gut may have another 30 years. His Truth has already outlived my gut. The Truth of God never ends or changes or falters. My gut has faltered numerous times. My gut has changed (spiritually and physically). My gut will end. And so will yours.
Our gut, our heart, our seat of emotion and response. It's wickedly selfish one day and compassionate the next. It's overflow may build up or tear down. It allows peace within our inner being and it twists us up with immense anxiety.
Are you following the moral standard formed by your gut? How long has your gut been around.
Or is your gut bowing down to unchanging Truth, the standard of God? It's His 'divine power [that] has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him' (2 Peter 1:3-11). Though imperfectly I truly desire to lay my gut before His throne. It's His divine power that gives life's purpose, direction, knowledge and godliness...not my gut which moves depending on meals, news articles, inspiring songs, confrontational documentaries, abuses in the church, favorite speakers or emotional responses to friends.
In other words, 'Does your Gut Win or does Christ Win out in your decisions and discernment?' What's your gut telling you right this moment? Maybe you need to do the opposite in response.
7/18/11
Discern
Discerning what is best isn't always easy. In fact, it takes a good amount of knowledge and in many cases experience.
Not everyone discerns well and that's why you need accountability. As well you desperately need the wisdom of elders and others who have been there, done that and remained faithful to God.
Dokimazo: (Gk) to discern - to determine the identity of something through evaluation.
The depth of your insight on any given decision or belief will be directly related to the outcome. The Spirit was sent to all who believe as a guide, a counselor, one who fills us with true knowledge, righteousness and discernment. The Spirit provides the desire to attain insight in the depth of your soul. The Spirit challenges you to seek after wisdom and matures you through understanding.
Many times there are several 'best' decisions waiting on our response. Prayer, reflection, gifting, shared wisdom, knowledge and a deep insight all play a role in discerning the best route.
Determining truth - determining what is best takes time and energy. It's a process, so use whatever time you have wisely.
Be proactive and seek out proper discernment.
Taken from Paul's prayer in Philippians 1:9-11
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