Receive Freely

Freely you have received, freely give.
Matthew 10:8b

I have had a tendency to read this statement with an emphasis on the second half; freely give. In doing that, I developed the idea that Jesus was describing the disciple's receiving in a slightly negative light. As if Jesus was intimating with a sidewards glance, "it's high time you stopped taking and started giving."

That, of course, is far from the truth. God is exceedingly generous with us. He was saying two important statements in the correct order - you must receive in order to give - and you MUST give. Christ never stops giving.

The disciples, to there eternal credit, were very good at receiving freely. Many of those around Jesus got this well. If they were sick, they received healing. If dead they received life (not that Lazarus or the child had any say on the matter) if defiled, they received cleansing, if possessed, they received deliverance. All followers of Jesus trust in a giving God and live under an open Heaven.

May you receive as freely as you are supposed to give!

Grace & Peace
Chris

I was talking to a couple of guys in the park when another man asked to borrow my cell phone for an important call. From how I saw him interact with a couple people I suspected him to be drug dealer. I thought I should let him borrow my phone, though. It was neighborly. I prayed to myself that God would frustrate his efforts to use my phone for any evil purpose if it was, in fact, a "business call'.
You should know the screen on my phone doesn't work, so you can't see who you are calling when you dial. This guy and another guy had my phone for 10 minutes trying to call someone and they couldn't dial the right number and then seemed to lose service or something - they never got what they were after in the call. What I meant for good wasn't used for evil. God is good. And he has a more powerful network than other wireless service providers (certainly more than Sprint, which we have and I would not suggest anyone join)

Chris

We have Matt Armstrong, a student from the War College here with us on summer assignment for the next 3 months. He is a great guy, sensitive to the Holy Spirit, faithful in prayer who has already proved a great help and encouragment to me. Please pray for him.

You can find out all about him here

Don't know much about The War College? Click on the Armybarmy link at right.

Blessings

Savvy Investment

"You can do one of two things with your income: spend it today or save it to pay for future consumption. Many people spend most of their income on housing, food, and other fixed costs that reflect real or perceived needs. (The term "needs" is ambiguous and subjective, defined for many Americans more by the financial possibilities within their grasp than by the requirements for survival.)"

This quote is not from what I might consider an unlikely source. It is the chairman of Vanguard, and investment brokerage firm. Nonetheless, I was encouraged to invest in my future, Eternity. Rather than spend my resources (time passion, hope, wealth) on myself now on what I think I deserve, I can invest it in God's economy. There is MUCH more in it for me there.

Last night I preached at the William Booth Center (men's transitional homeless shelter) from Hebrews 10:19-25. I was struck anew by the call to not forsake meeting together and to consider ways to spur each other on to love and good deeds.

We have Jesus, the Great High Priest. We can boldly enjoy intimacy with the one and holy God and we don't need any person as a go-between. But we cannot thrive without community. We need encouragement.

I got to experience that truth first-hand today. Rob Noland, leader of Revolution Hawaii stopped by today to see the neighborhood. It was great to spend time with someone who has experienced the sort of things we struggle with at StreetLevel. It is rejuvenating to get together and share ideas and encourage each other.

Check out Revolution Hawaii at right. The inagural session of this one year discipleship school is about to go to the Marshal Islands for their summer placement. Session Two starts in September.

If you burn easily, contact me about downtown Seattle.

Yesterday was my brother-in-law's wedding. Congratulations Erik and Marie! During the rehearsal dinner, I learned about how two people came to join the Salvation Army; one from the Dominican Republic, the other from Russia.

Two things struck me.

One - The three of us could not have represented more disparate cultures and upbringings yet we held common beliefs, goals and commitment (covenant). We even knew some of the same people. We share identity.

Two - I was struck by their atraction to the Salvation Army's work dispite a lack of resources and popularity. There is an authenticity in joining a part of Christ's Church when the path is unfavorible. It is truth and passion that get you through. You can't be in it for what you will get out of it.

I went away from this conversation hopeful for the Salvation Army in the Western World. We, who share this same identity, can share in this authenticity as well by putting out of our hearts any love of wealth and popularity, knowing where our heart is, so our treasure is.

Chris Wikle