I've been reading a new(ish) classic, The Jesus I Never Knew by Phillip Yancy. On Jesus' miracles, Yancy writes this;
I readily concede that Jesus, with a few dozen healings and a handful of ressurections from the dead, did little to solve the problem of pain on this planet. That is not why He came. Nevertheless, it was in Jesus' nature to counteract the effects of the fallen world during his time on earth.
So Jesus wasn't nessisarily being purposful in His miracles; He was acting according to His character. Our culture is about purpose - full of mission statements and clear goals. Even the Christian culture has adapted this to some degree (many have memorized R. Warren's 5 Purposes). While there is nothing wrong with being purposeful - I'm inclined to believe that Jesus was just that at least some of the time - I think Jesus' life was more about actions flowing from character.
Please, love God and do what you please.
Grace
Chris
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
Mark 10: 17-18
As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me Good? No one is good except God alone."
I've puzzled over this passage. Why would Jesus not acknowledge His own goodness?
There is a tendency in the Church that I am familiar with (that is, the Church in America)to try to win the admiration of our culture. We think it is a gain to the cause of Christ for His people to be seen as good and set an example; to be looked up to. We say things like, "We just want to show them we are normal people like everybody else." I belong to a movement that has been billed as, "America's Favorite Charity" and "The Most Effective Organization in America." I am not suggesting that pride is the motivation for statements like that, simply this idea that someone who admires you is more likely to join you.
Nearly every time I've mentioned to someone what I do with The Salvation Army, their response is, "What you do is great" and the conversation usually goes no further. When I mention what Jesus did and is doing, I seldom get a response of admiration for my following Him. The mention of God elicits a personal response, either positive or negative. I think Jesus, in speaking to the rich young man, told him something that would make it about the young man and his dependency, not about the messenger and his strength.
I've puzzled over this passage. Why would Jesus not acknowledge His own goodness?
There is a tendency in the Church that I am familiar with (that is, the Church in America)to try to win the admiration of our culture. We think it is a gain to the cause of Christ for His people to be seen as good and set an example; to be looked up to. We say things like, "We just want to show them we are normal people like everybody else." I belong to a movement that has been billed as, "America's Favorite Charity" and "The Most Effective Organization in America." I am not suggesting that pride is the motivation for statements like that, simply this idea that someone who admires you is more likely to join you.
Nearly every time I've mentioned to someone what I do with The Salvation Army, their response is, "What you do is great" and the conversation usually goes no further. When I mention what Jesus did and is doing, I seldom get a response of admiration for my following Him. The mention of God elicits a personal response, either positive or negative. I think Jesus, in speaking to the rich young man, told him something that would make it about the young man and his dependency, not about the messenger and his strength.
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
A great friend (thanks S.H) gave us tickets to see The Trans-Siberian Orchestra tonight. They put on a great show... in formal wear, no less. Seriously,you can't go wrong when you put these entertainment gems together; guitars, violins, fire, lasers, smoke, one serious man-perm, one minor mullet and more arena-high-note-back-arches than you can shake a stick at!
What's more, there was lots of talk about God, spirituality, reconciliation, forgiveness, the birth of Jesus and His miraculous, other-worldly life. There was a fair bit of the gospel presented and it didn't seem to offend anyone. Just as many people seemed to be nodding along at the name of Jesus as were nodding along to the name of Layla (I think that cover would have done Clapton proud). However, what was conspicuously absent was anything about sin, judgement and repentance. Now, this wasn't a Billy Graham Crusade, and I was pleasantly surprised by the truth in the songs. I just think the message of Jesus gets offensive when there is expectation that God is going to come around changing our lives. Other than that,... we're all safe.
Yours affectionately offended
Chris
What's more, there was lots of talk about God, spirituality, reconciliation, forgiveness, the birth of Jesus and His miraculous, other-worldly life. There was a fair bit of the gospel presented and it didn't seem to offend anyone. Just as many people seemed to be nodding along at the name of Jesus as were nodding along to the name of Layla (I think that cover would have done Clapton proud). However, what was conspicuously absent was anything about sin, judgement and repentance. Now, this wasn't a Billy Graham Crusade, and I was pleasantly surprised by the truth in the songs. I just think the message of Jesus gets offensive when there is expectation that God is going to come around changing our lives. Other than that,... we're all safe.
Yours affectionately offended
Chris
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Objective Christianity: The Face of Evangelism?
I met a man tonight during The Fight. We opened up StreetLevel at 8:30pm, chili and hot coffee ready and waiting for anyone who needed to warm up and eat up. When Chris and Joel got back from seeing if anyone was around the 'hood (i.e. not already in a shelter for the night), they had with them a man named Cliff.
Cliff was "formerly homeless," but has been off the streets for several years now. He lives in Federal Way, but works downtown. Before he mentioned that he was no longer homeless, I realized how guarded I was... sort of waiting to see what this guy's story was; waiting to see if he was legit or not. My thoughts were a little preemptive to say the least.
Nonetheless, after just a minute or two of conversation, I realized how "normal" he was. If anything, you could sense a some lingering bitterness towards the way things are handled in our community (i.e. homelessness, etc.). He spoke intelligently and candidly about the problems of homelessness, and other "hot issues" our country and world faces (i.e. world hunger, poverty, anarchy, etc.). It was interesting.
As we sat around - eating, drinking, talking, listening - I found myself saying very little and wanting to simply listen. This caused me to wonder what the face of evangelism truly looks like today. Not what it's SUPPOSED to look like... what we like to think it looks like... or what we hope it looks like... but what it REALLY looks like. I found myself disinterested in making a sale for the Kingdom. I didn't feel like anyone was supposed to plunge in and figure out if this guy was saved or if ask if he wanted to say the magic words that would grant him eternal life. I felt like listening to his stories, hearing him out, learning from his life, and maybe as a bonus, just naturally coming to find if he was saved or not. It's not that I didn't care if this guy was going to hell or not - but that I wanted to know HIM and have God speak to my spirit through his own unique witness.
It's no surprise... evangelism probably still looks (and sounds) like a whole lot of in your face Christian jargon that tends to jolt the "sinner" as opposed to save the sinner. And even when trying to be OBJECTIVELY INCARNATIONAL in our witness (living, working, sharing Christ in our community) do we still default to a lot of Jesus-speak instead of LETTING the "sinner" speak? I wonder how many people we've LOST to the Kingdom because we simply didn't heed to what God wanted us to do... listen, love, be real.
Objectivity kills. I don't want to be an objective Christian or Evangelist. I want to purposeful in my witness and humble in my approach. I want to speak words that God ordains me to say, never assuming that getting another one into the Kingdom should take precedence over allowing God to extend an authentic relationship between myself and someone in need. For all I know, I'm in need too.
Cliff is a great man! Wise, intelligent, insightful... and saved. Praise God that his own stories witnessed to me... maybe that's what evangelism is really supposed to look like.
-Erin
Cliff was "formerly homeless," but has been off the streets for several years now. He lives in Federal Way, but works downtown. Before he mentioned that he was no longer homeless, I realized how guarded I was... sort of waiting to see what this guy's story was; waiting to see if he was legit or not. My thoughts were a little preemptive to say the least.
Nonetheless, after just a minute or two of conversation, I realized how "normal" he was. If anything, you could sense a some lingering bitterness towards the way things are handled in our community (i.e. homelessness, etc.). He spoke intelligently and candidly about the problems of homelessness, and other "hot issues" our country and world faces (i.e. world hunger, poverty, anarchy, etc.). It was interesting.
As we sat around - eating, drinking, talking, listening - I found myself saying very little and wanting to simply listen. This caused me to wonder what the face of evangelism truly looks like today. Not what it's SUPPOSED to look like... what we like to think it looks like... or what we hope it looks like... but what it REALLY looks like. I found myself disinterested in making a sale for the Kingdom. I didn't feel like anyone was supposed to plunge in and figure out if this guy was saved or if ask if he wanted to say the magic words that would grant him eternal life. I felt like listening to his stories, hearing him out, learning from his life, and maybe as a bonus, just naturally coming to find if he was saved or not. It's not that I didn't care if this guy was going to hell or not - but that I wanted to know HIM and have God speak to my spirit through his own unique witness.
It's no surprise... evangelism probably still looks (and sounds) like a whole lot of in your face Christian jargon that tends to jolt the "sinner" as opposed to save the sinner. And even when trying to be OBJECTIVELY INCARNATIONAL in our witness (living, working, sharing Christ in our community) do we still default to a lot of Jesus-speak instead of LETTING the "sinner" speak? I wonder how many people we've LOST to the Kingdom because we simply didn't heed to what God wanted us to do... listen, love, be real.
Objectivity kills. I don't want to be an objective Christian or Evangelist. I want to purposeful in my witness and humble in my approach. I want to speak words that God ordains me to say, never assuming that getting another one into the Kingdom should take precedence over allowing God to extend an authentic relationship between myself and someone in need. For all I know, I'm in need too.
Cliff is a great man! Wise, intelligent, insightful... and saved. Praise God that his own stories witnessed to me... maybe that's what evangelism is really supposed to look like.
-Erin
Incomplete Thoughts on Faith
I've had the opportunity to listen to a couple of men tell their stories. These are quite broken men. They have big problems. As I listened, I thought of how to get them to think about eternity and hope found in Christ. I had some difficulty. I didn't want to say that Jesus would quickly fix all of their problems. But at the same time, we all wanted the gospel to be big and powerful and atractive and capable of handling their messes.
When I was reflecting about these diffrent exchanges, I was reminded of the parable of the Mustard Seed. I hadn't really internalized it before. The Kingdom of God didn't have much apeal to these men now. It seemed small, far off, not so powerful. It takes faith, that is expecting hopefully what isn't currently there, to see a massive tree when you look at the tiny seed.
The End...?
When I was reflecting about these diffrent exchanges, I was reminded of the parable of the Mustard Seed. I hadn't really internalized it before. The Kingdom of God didn't have much apeal to these men now. It seemed small, far off, not so powerful. It takes faith, that is expecting hopefully what isn't currently there, to see a massive tree when you look at the tiny seed.
The End...?
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Be careful not to love being in front
I believe it is important to check yourself from time to time. Is there any part of you that likes to be recognized, that likes to be the one calling the shots. This can creep into our hearts in seemingly innocent ways. Some eternal perspective is always helpful. Remember...
The culmination of your life, the final resting place of your spirit will be in a vast, numberless throng who, in complete unison, proclaim the Worthiness of the One who is the center. No one leads. No one follows. There are no ranks. No one is thinking about anything but YHWH. (Rev. 5:11-12)
The culmination of your life, the final resting place of your spirit will be in a vast, numberless throng who, in complete unison, proclaim the Worthiness of the One who is the center. No one leads. No one follows. There are no ranks. No one is thinking about anything but YHWH. (Rev. 5:11-12)
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
StreetLevel Dedication
A few weekends ago, StreetLevel was dedicated and blessed by the presence of many who came to pray our ministry into full force.
If you would like to pray for us... our prayer needs are below.
That we would be, in word and action, an extension of God’s mercy to those in our neighborhood.
That the sacrifice of service would be a sacrifice of LOVING COMMITMENT to see our neighbors and our neighborhood changed. May our actions be WROUGHT in love.
That we would truly desire to do justice and show mercy as opposed to doing works and doing good.
That we would be humble and broken before the lost every day. We too were once lost. It is only by his grace that we have been saved.
That we would persist in an effort to truly know our neighbors, endeavoring to enter into real relationships with them.
That God would increase our faith. Just as he has been faithful in calling us, pray that we would trust him in completing the work he has begun in us.
That we would continue to build relationships with the existing social service and outreach groups in our neighborhood. That we would “use” each other, support each other, and work together with one purpose.
That God would bring the right workers to minister in this community.
Please pray for Cosmas and Memory, two natives of Zimbabwe, who are in the process of joining the StreetLevel ministry. Pray that the VISA process would move quickly so they may join in what God has called them to do.
That we would look on our neighborhood with eyes of faith, saying, “If God is with us, surely we can take the land.”
Pray against a spirit of apathy and insincerity in our actions.
That we would be faithful in sharing the Word with boldness and passion.
Pray that the Seattle Temple Corps, and Army as a whole, would offer their support through earnest participation.
Just as God has crafted each of us as unique creatures, pray that we would identify and use the gifts and talents he has given us for his glory.
Pray for more revelation and anointing.
Blessings!
-Erin
If you would like to pray for us... our prayer needs are below.
That we would be, in word and action, an extension of God’s mercy to those in our neighborhood.
That the sacrifice of service would be a sacrifice of LOVING COMMITMENT to see our neighbors and our neighborhood changed. May our actions be WROUGHT in love.
That we would truly desire to do justice and show mercy as opposed to doing works and doing good.
That we would be humble and broken before the lost every day. We too were once lost. It is only by his grace that we have been saved.
That we would persist in an effort to truly know our neighbors, endeavoring to enter into real relationships with them.
That God would increase our faith. Just as he has been faithful in calling us, pray that we would trust him in completing the work he has begun in us.
That we would continue to build relationships with the existing social service and outreach groups in our neighborhood. That we would “use” each other, support each other, and work together with one purpose.
That God would bring the right workers to minister in this community.
Please pray for Cosmas and Memory, two natives of Zimbabwe, who are in the process of joining the StreetLevel ministry. Pray that the VISA process would move quickly so they may join in what God has called them to do.
That we would look on our neighborhood with eyes of faith, saying, “If God is with us, surely we can take the land.”
Pray against a spirit of apathy and insincerity in our actions.
That we would be faithful in sharing the Word with boldness and passion.
Pray that the Seattle Temple Corps, and Army as a whole, would offer their support through earnest participation.
Just as God has crafted each of us as unique creatures, pray that we would identify and use the gifts and talents he has given us for his glory.
Pray for more revelation and anointing.
Blessings!
-Erin
Monday, November 27, 2006
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
I’ve realized something about the way I come to God recently. When I am lax in my prayer life and realize it (often after some more tangible consequence has shown itself - sin) I act differently when I go before the LORD. Even after repentance, accepting forgiveness and rejecting condemnation I have a more acute sense that I don’t deserve what I am getting – that I haven’t earned my position with the Almighty. Also, I find I am hanging onto His Words with a new dependence… almost like I was closer to death and am armed with the knowledge that His Words bring about life.
What a great place to be! We are blessed when we are in that spiritual position of poverty –lacking in and of ourselves.
The thing is, we can have that position before the Lord without the rebellion. You don’t have to fall into sin to understand the depths of His grace. Don’t lose sight of the fact that your very best day put you no closer to the Holy, Holy, Holy God – it was grace that He gave you the time of day in your most righteous moment. The LORD rejects the proud but gives grace to the humble.
What a great place to be! We are blessed when we are in that spiritual position of poverty –lacking in and of ourselves.
The thing is, we can have that position before the Lord without the rebellion. You don’t have to fall into sin to understand the depths of His grace. Don’t lose sight of the fact that your very best day put you no closer to the Holy, Holy, Holy God – it was grace that He gave you the time of day in your most righteous moment. The LORD rejects the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Calling for Urban Missionaries
It can be hard to find God on the streets of downtown Seattle. In these few blocks where the majority of King County’s 8000 homeless congregate, it is hard to see anything but hopelessness.
StreetLevel, which opens October 2, will bring hope into hopeless situations. This ministry of the Seattle Temple Corps will be a new expression of the Christian church in one of the least-churched regions in the country. While the form is relatively new, the principle is roughly 2000 years old.
The Form
StreetLevel will function as a cell-based ministry. Groups of 5 to 12 people will meet in homes, parks, and social service centers in the historic Pioneer Square and International Districts. Individuals will grow in close community within their cell, praying, studying the Bible and learning to lead. When a cell grows to 12, it multiplies into two cells and repeats the growing process.
The Principle
The guiding principle of StreetLevel is incarnational ministry. This was embodied in Jesus’ earthly ministry and was summarized in John 1:14; The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus did not serve the people at arms’ length but lived with them. Jesus did not go around saying, “The Kingdom of God is over there with the respectable people.” No, the Kingdom of God is at hand. StreetLevel strives to be a vibrant, constant expression of God’s love in its area. Rather than dividing our ministry from the rest of our lives, we seek to make ministry our life, and our lives ministry.
The Call
This ministry needs people who are willing to pick up and move into the International District of downtown Seattle. You will live and work in your neighborhood, making friends, inviting people to cell group. You will love people in Jesus’ Name. You will be united in prayer and fellowship and receive leadership training. Are you willing to commit to this ministry for one year?
It is asking a lot. It is inconvenient and slightly risky. When Jesus turned to His disciples after the multitudes deserted Him, largely for asking them to take risks and be inconvenienced, He asked them if they were going to desert Him as well. Peter spoke up for the faithful, “Where else would we go, Lord? You alone have the words that bring eternal life.”
StreetLevel, which opens October 2, will bring hope into hopeless situations. This ministry of the Seattle Temple Corps will be a new expression of the Christian church in one of the least-churched regions in the country. While the form is relatively new, the principle is roughly 2000 years old.
The Form
StreetLevel will function as a cell-based ministry. Groups of 5 to 12 people will meet in homes, parks, and social service centers in the historic Pioneer Square and International Districts. Individuals will grow in close community within their cell, praying, studying the Bible and learning to lead. When a cell grows to 12, it multiplies into two cells and repeats the growing process.
The Principle
The guiding principle of StreetLevel is incarnational ministry. This was embodied in Jesus’ earthly ministry and was summarized in John 1:14; The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus did not serve the people at arms’ length but lived with them. Jesus did not go around saying, “The Kingdom of God is over there with the respectable people.” No, the Kingdom of God is at hand. StreetLevel strives to be a vibrant, constant expression of God’s love in its area. Rather than dividing our ministry from the rest of our lives, we seek to make ministry our life, and our lives ministry.
The Call
This ministry needs people who are willing to pick up and move into the International District of downtown Seattle. You will live and work in your neighborhood, making friends, inviting people to cell group. You will love people in Jesus’ Name. You will be united in prayer and fellowship and receive leadership training. Are you willing to commit to this ministry for one year?
It is asking a lot. It is inconvenient and slightly risky. When Jesus turned to His disciples after the multitudes deserted Him, largely for asking them to take risks and be inconvenienced, He asked them if they were going to desert Him as well. Peter spoke up for the faithful, “Where else would we go, Lord? You alone have the words that bring eternal life.”
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