Peace and Martinis

Shortly after the great dispersion of Christians from Jerusalem due to persecution, Luke summarizes the happenings with this statement:

'Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace...' Acts 9:31

Peace - eirene (gk) - an untroubled well being - an internal settling regardless of external circumstances.

I wonder what Luke is attempting to say here about this peaceful experience? I've always read into this a reprieve from persecution. That since Saul the Great Persecutor had met the resurrected Jesus in the same chapter the Church around the Middle East was then free to move and breath and live without fear.

I'm not so sure about that.

In Philippians Paul (the now Great Missionary) challenged that church to be 'anxious about nothing.' That rejoicing in God regardless of their circumstances would foster a 'peace of God, which transcends all understanding' and this peace would protect their hearts and minds in Christs truth (Philippians 4:4-7).

Peter also noted the need for being 'clear-minded and selfcontrolled' and this in order to connect with Jesus in prayer and in essence experience the peace Paul describes (1 Peter 4:7).

All through Acts we see believers experiencing a supernatural filling of peace in the midst of struggle, suffering, persecution and lack of understanding of the intricacies of the Way.

This peace is not due to a lack of persecution, at least I don't believe that's what Luke is stating here. In fact, I believe he's noting that across greater Israel the normal experience in that season was a peace fostered by the divine nature of Christ as promised through the Counselor, the Holy Spirit.

This isn't the sort of kick-up-your-feet with a cigar and a martini on the Mediterranean-seaside sort of peace...

This is the supernatural filling of the Spirit. An internal divine settling regardless of the external chaos.

This is a stand-firm in the Gospel through prayer and edification...and then a martini.

The passage continues with several more points that display the work of the Spirit throughout the early Church. We'll see that Spirit-led edification and exhortation lead to multiplication.

Read Acts 1-9 and in particular 9:31 for the greater context.

Word of Beard

'This is how we know what love is; Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.' 1 John 3:16

Giving is an interesting concept. I'm not sure I understood it until I was made aware of Christs sacrificial giving.

I would give in order to receive. I would give out of guilt though sometimes out of compassion. I would give because it seemed 'fair' in a particular context or simply to balance out a give/take relationship. Even those times where I gave out of love sacrificially, I cannot recall doing it for any greater purpose, any greater good. To be honest, I'm not sure I really wrestled with 'giving', especially it's deeper eternal purpose.

However, once in Christ, though not understanding giving entirely and not right away as a new believer, it did make sense that giving was 'right' and that it brought joy and those warm-fuzzy feelings, especially when it cost me much.

The Apostle John explains this a bit, 'This is how we know what love is; Jesus Christ laid down his life for us' (1 John 3:16a) - this is the supreme example or model of love. this is a divine eternal love, a moral love, an ethical love, a sacrificial love, a practical love and a perfect human love. In other words, Giving flows first from our knowing and experiencing a perfect love in Christ.

He goes on, 'And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers,' (3:16b). John notes that Jesus is the model and that we are to be living examples of his perfect love. He goes on to stress that this is demonstrated specifically in the giving of our personal possessions (material belongings, food, money, housing etc), and in the general sense of how we live, 'action and in truth,' (3:18).

This is a holistic call to model Christ-likeness through the giving of ourselves, and this is a call to every believer at that. In fact John goes on to say that, 'This then is how we know that we belong to the truth,' (3:19)...if we give ourselves away. He follows this statement with some specifics about giving material goods and as well as good deeds, things and the Gospel.

There is something about giving that displays not only to the world but to our own hearts and minds that we truly know Jesus and what He has both redeemed us from and called us to.

Though as a new believer years ago I may not have been able to explain it, it seemed right to give. It seemed right simply because it was a divine character trait being fostered in my own life - I was becoming Christ-like. Whereas when I didn't know Christ I was simply acting Christ-like without knowing it and He yet honored this by providing those divine 'feelings' of joy and the like.

Giving is easy to do. That said, knowing the source of giving and our motivations is a deeper issue. Spend some time praying and discerning your own giving lifestyle. Are you modelling Christ-likeness?

Read 1 John 3:16-24 and Romans 12:1-8. Adapted from an original post at Medina East Campus' [RE]GIFT

Word of Beard

The new year is an interesting life-marker isn't it. It's this invisible line drawn in time that very strangely affects our worldview. It's an excuse for a do-over, or a second, third or fourth start at something.

It's very freeing to think that come January 1st we can actually start afresh. But it's also confining too isn't it? At the same time that we hope for a new start to our diet, we're limiting ourselves to that timeline, as if starting today would be futile.

I was reading about discipleship again and this time in relation to the new church campus plant I'm involved in. I was thinking about our Vision and Values and how they ought to connect us with Jesus on a molecular level. I was thinking about this in relation to a new year on the horizon and how I want to live and lead with clarity, at least as much as the Spirit allows in this crazy season.

In order to map out the coming year I've been convicted to view my life's Vision and Values in direct relation to the Gospel holistically. For instance, let me share my definition of each (Breen and Cockram sent me in this direction):

Vision: Gods kingdom at work in this culture through the Gospel.
Values: Gods grace at work in this body through the Gospel.

This Vision forces me to view all of ministry (personally and corporately) as the expansion of Gods kingdom here in Medina. And this expansion, penetrating the heart of this community and culture, coming solely through a practical understanding and outworking of the Gospel (to the unbeliever in Romans 1:16, and maturing believer in Colossians 1:6).

This definition of Values stirs within me a greater desire to enter into a Gospel lifestyle that applies divine grace to every relationship, situation and context in real time both within this local body and within the greater community.

Can you imagine what life would hold in the new year if I/we resolved to unite our individual and communal Vision to actual Gospel centrality on any and every front?! Our worldviews would be rocked and we might usher in the kingdom in this town with miracle and wonder.

What if our Values shifted dramatically as well. That in the new year we'd resolve not only to eat healthy or live at peace with the universe but to give grossly abundant amounts of grace to others as the Gospel demonstrates for us and demands of us. That our value system would be defined by a Gospel of grace and not unconvincing and discouraging law.

That our Vision for our lives and the Values we function within would be Gospel centered is quite simply the only way a new year resolution will come to fruition. I want to challenge us all to keep this in mind as we begin to ponder what the new year might hold.

Enjoy the journey in 2013 - in fact, why not begin now...

Read 'Building a Discipling Culture' by Breen and Cockram

The Naughty, Naughtier and Righteous

It's that time of year again where we reflect on relationships. We stroll through our mental Rolodex of family, friends, co-workers, neighbors - and we rearrange our Naughty or Nice list.

We lose sleep over who gets the awkward family holiday sweater Christmas card.

We justify the emotions we feel toward that brother or sister who ruins everything and base our holiday cheer on their existence. We meditate on how impressive a gift our spouse deserves either based on their awesomeness or our own screw-ups over the past year. Whatever the case - the more awesome they have been OR the greater the jerk you have been will equate to a larger gift in their favor.

Some of us wrestle with the needs of the rest of the world in this season - in particular the amount we'll spend on 'stuff' when others suffer, struggle and mourn. And again we attempt to discern the appropriate place of their needs vs our own, or their needs vs our children's desires...

Our holiday-relationship-meditative-discernings are often painful and wracked with tension, frustration and even guilt. Why is it so hard to enjoy this season of celebrating the First fruits of Salvation, that is, the Incarnation of Jesus?

'He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth...Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.'

We spend so much time wondering which list people will land on. We struggle, argue and lose sleep over these relationships when right before us we have an ancient Word describing the rule by which the Lord was going, did and does discern and judge the world.

Through Isaiah the Lord proclaimed this. While this passage isn't prescriptive of our own actions it does present a model of righteous thinking, of set-apart discernment, of just and pure action.

First we see that the Lord will not simply judge the world (people) by what he sees. He knows your heart and the overflow of it in your daily life. This is a key element in our decision making abilities. Dig deeper, look harder, forgive.

Next we see that he doesn't judge based solely on what he hears as we're imperfect people incapable of expressing ourselves appropriately - again He looks to the source of our being, that Spirit within us groaning for Truth and Justice and Holiness. Are you listening past the hurt and frustration?

Instead, with Righteousness He will judge the needy. With Justice He will decide fairly on behalf of the poor of the earth. Christ will discern with mercy and grace the nature of His relationship with all people and their standing before Him.

He will judge the world with the very same 'divine nature' He offers us, one that we are called to partake in.

We discern who gets a Christmas card, a text, an e-card, a gift, a smile, a hug, a visit, a phone call, a family video-update, a hand-written letter...modelled after and based upon Christs interaction with us and not our twisted-and-emotionally-flesh-driven response to their past actions, words, thoughts. No matter how long-standing the bitterness may be. No matter how true the hurt is. No matter how tempting the Naughty list is. No matter.

No matter how poor. No matter how angry. No matter how hurtful. No matter how broken and bruised and bitter. No matter how distant and cold and closed off...He made himself nothing to bring you and I into Everything...'and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers' as well (1 John 3:16).

Review your list. Revise it.
Reconcile it with Christs reconciling of you.
Redeem your actions, thoughts and words according to His standard.
Repent where you find yourself unable to forgive. Believe that He can bring about wholeness.

The Naughty list may not disappear but it can be handed over to the Lord for sifting and judging. Stroll through your Rolodex and seek an unburdened Merry Christmas.

Read Matthew 5:1-12 for a description of what criteria God judges us on. Read 2 Peter 1 to realize the call to a divine life - one based on Jesus' commands and commission.

Ss...Ss...Synergy

Synergy is an interesting concept. The 'whole' working together is greater than the 'part, individual or localized element' and ultimately more fruitful. If you're like me you have to push aside the cheesiness of such a corporate sounding concept to unlock its deeper meaning (very much a self-help statement...I know).

When the synergistic attitude - a vision for and unity of a body that is larger than any one person - is replaced with selfish motives or personal desires this can give birth to an overarching unhealthy competition within the member and the body.

It's amazing how important clear communication is in creating and sustaining synergy. That the leaders model and profess this attitude daily is vital and they must do it clearly. Perfection isn't the goal here, debates and disagreements are healthy when processed well, but living out a vision is more important than speaking though they're two sides of the same coin.

Think about your parents marriage. Think about the synergistic, holistic, functional, pragmatic, dysfunctional, devastating moments and seasons and for all of us in very different forms. Marriage is divine, it's a symbol, an analogy of the greater relationship not only between us and God but the Trinity at that.

Healthy marriages however aren't perfect. That said, healthy marriages are synergistic. The couple is so intent on clearly understanding the other that grace and humility abound alongside the individual desires to please the other. This interesting combination of give-and-take is ultimately fruitful to the marriage as a whole. Disagreements may abound but love for the other abounds more.

The Apostle Paul taught this. To the Corinthians he described all the members of this new life in Christ as a body. And each person another part of the body until it's completely unified in vision and purpose...that is Glorifying God. Each member of the body with a purpose and the body as a whole with a purpose and these uniting to create something divinely blessed.

Synergy. I smirk when I say it, I don't know why but I can't help it. Yet it describes something that the Scriptures have been teaching for centuries. It provides modern language for an ancient concept. If each member is equipped to unite to both the body and to Christ through the counsel and wisdom of the Spirit and are reminded regularly that this is the most fruitful path to Kingdom living and building...then synergy has done it's job - it has created a language and an ethos of unity in Christ on mission.

Read 1 Corinthians 12 for synergistic thoughts. Study the relationships around you...are you synergized?

The Wise say What?

'But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? Man doesn't comprehend it's worth; it can't be found in the land of the living.

The deep says, "It's not in me";
the seas says, "It's not with me."

It can't be bought with the finest gold, nor can it's price be weighed in silver...nor in ophir or sapphires...nor can crystal or jewels compare with wisdom.

Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.

God even said to man, "The fear of the Lord - that is wisdom, and to shun evil understanding."'

I was reading the interaction between Jesus and Pilate the other day. Pilate attempts to figure out who Jesus is or at least claims to be, a king. In response Jesus says, 'You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I am incarnate, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.'

Interesting that Jesus turns the conversation of power and right and authority on it's head and gets to the heart of the issue...Truth. 'What is truth?' is the famous response of Pilate and one that everyone must ask at some point in their journey through life.

Truth. Where can it be found? The very same place that wisdom and understanding are found. In fact Truth is the source of wisdom and wisdom is the overflow of truth in a persons life. Understanding is the bridge between truth and wisdom.

In the sinner it enlightens them to the truth of the Gospel and then displays itself in the life of the believer through orthopraxy, right living, according to the truth of God. It is the development of a truly orthodox disciple, one who desires and wisely understands the truth of the Gospel.

Where do these things come from: wisdom, understanding, truth? They come from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth...that is Christ. And they appear in the one who confirms this truth through a humbles confession of Christs kingship in their personal life and the universe at large.

Read Job 28 on finding wisdom. Read John 18 on Jesus' eternal claim and Pilate's ongoing question.

Pretty Freakin' Serious

Seriously. That's how I take myself too often. Very seriously.

I often feel as though I intrinsically have something to protect that's so important I need a specialized-overestimated-emotionally-charged-internal-security-system that sounds an alarm when this important aspect of my life is called into question and defends with 'seriousness'.

What's all the more interesting is that in any given circumstance or interaction with anyone other than myself I have to be reminded that I don't have to feel like a child. That I am developing talents and abilities to offer others. That the Spirit of God has actually equipped me with gifts able for building up His kingdom.

How does a person feel like a five yr. old sitting at the adult table and simultaneously take themselves unnecessarily serious?

Pride. The underrating of who God has created me to be destructively mixed with an over-saturated attitude of the worldly self.

Imagine flipping those on their faces. Wringing out the soggy view of self that so drains my spirit and being saturating with the fantastic Spirit of God Who is Life.

Seriously, how awesome that would be to maintain that mindset daily. Pretty freakin' awesome if you ask me.

Read through creation and the cross in the Scriptures - you'll be reminded of the uniqueness of the human and the value and love God has for us in both creation and death and, of course, reconciled creation.