An Angelic Prison Break

Jesus had told him that he would go where he didn’t want to go and be led to places he never wished to be…but Peter wasn’t quite prepared for the violent onslaught the seemed to never end for his fellow apostles. Stephen had seen a horrific end, though many had believed. Now, sitting in prison in chains, surrounded by guards Peter considered that this might be the end of his journey too. After all, just hours ago Herod had executed James the brother of John by the sword and Peter though full of faith, wept for his family. In a very small corner of his mind he ponders just for a brief second what may have taken place had he left Jesus when he had had the chance. Yet, Peter quickly pushes that thought aside as an overwhelming warmth of love fills his body when we remembers the master’s face. He remembers what forgiveness felt like on that beach after he had denied Him three times. His love poured out undeservedly upon Peter. “No I would not change a thing”, Peter says to himself. No second guessing, no self-pity, no turning back!

The chains jingle as Peter, a little bruised and tender, shifts position in the dingy rank cellar of a prison. The guards are positioned all around him, as if Peter were some sort of Samson-strong man who could take down a regiment of soldiers with just a jaw bone of a donkey. The guards eye him carefully as he shifts in his chains, King Herod had been explicitly clear that this man had to be watched and that if anything happened to him they would pay the price with their lives. King Herod was a vicious man not to be trifled with or taken lightly.

Minutes pass that seem like hours, as the torches on the walls flicker casting shadows on the molding green stones of the cell. Peter, slumped and weary, closes his eyes intent on praying but too emotionally drained falls quickly into a fitful sleep. It seems like a second passes when someone strikes him on the side to awaken him. At first Peter thinks it’s one of the guards and he wonders to himself, “is it time?” Looking up he finds not a solider dressed in military garb, but rather an Angel luminescent and powerful to behold. As Peter looks at the angel, sleep blurred and groggy, the angel looks fiercely back at him and says, “Quick, get up!” Thinking it a vision, Peter doesn’t hesitate or ask any questions and as he moves to pick himself up off of the damp floor, the chains fall off of him as if they had never been clasped tightly around him at all. Bewildered and yet unsure of what this was real or a vision, Peter stands before the Angel.

“Put on your clothes and your sandals Peter!” The angel continues his instructions to Peter, “wrap yourself in your cloak as well!” Peter doesn’t waste any time in protesting, he’s learned long ago not to question but to obey. After dressing and putting on his cloak, the angel instructs him, “Follow me.” Again Peter, thinking this to be a vision, does what the angel says and puts one foot in the front of the other and walks right out of the prison. He walks right past the guards who had been keeping a careful watch over him and they do not even respond to his passing. He follows the angel through the metal doors and past the outer door that leads into the city. The door even opens by itself. After Peter has walked with the angel for about two city blocks, suddenly two things dramatically occur: The angel disappears, vanishes completely from sight. The second thing that amazes Peter is that this isn’t a vision at all. This is very real…and he is now free! What started out as a death row vigil has become a divine prison break!

Full of joy and renewed mission, Peter makes his way to the house of Mary, mother of John Mark. His fellow brothers and sisters in Christ were gathered there earnestly praying. And as Peter knocks on the front door, a servant girl answers and is shocked to see Peter there in front of her. She is so shocked by his appearance there that she shuts the door on him and runs off to announce his arrival. A fugitive, by the name of Peter, is standing outside in the open air while the small house church is made aware of his escape and arrival! At first they don’t believe the servant girl, “how could this be?” One apostle asks. “She’s just making up stories!” Another voice calls out from the back of the room. Then another Christ-follower offers another conclusion of who it might be; “It could be an angel” He says. Now curious what or who has caused this commotion, they all rush to the front door and find out for themselves that it is in fact Peter who is still knocking at the door. Peter is standing there and he is free! They are amazed at this miracle! For hours they had been gathered in a small room made sacred by their continued prayers. Their faith, love and intercessory prayers had been answered!

Peter, though prison weary, recounts the miracle and the angel and all who hear rejoice and are amazed! Knowing he is now a wanted man who is an escapee from prison, Peter leaves their company quickly and without delay before the sun even has a chance to crest over the city walls.

Does God answer prayer? In the midst of our deepest struggles and in the midst of our trouble lives the answer is a resounding ‘YES’! Though there will be times that He doesn’t answer the way that we think He should, what we are called to be is faithful! Will the dangers be lifted from us? Not always. We may still have to endure the valley of the shadow of death a time or two…but know that we never walk these paths alone! God really means it when He says that He is our shepherd and we are under His care! Believe it and received it today!

May 10, 2013 0

Whispers or the love song? (Poem)

There is a whisper

breathless and full of repine

counting down the ifs

the and couldas and the shouldas…

the well is full of these regrets

with night as black as coal

and eyes that stare menacingly back

as if in reproach and in contrition.

Were it so and the hands of time

were to cooperate

the hands of man might undo

that which enslaves the mind, body and soul.

We are all slaves.

Shackled, broken, held against our

will, our identities wiped away

how wretched it must be

to remain if freedom loomed

with open door and nail pierced hands.

Though the whispers may continue

we do not have to listen anymore.

For there is a far better song

a lyric sewn with love

webbed with compassion

and grafted like our blood line

to our Father.

Yes, the whispers might continue

but give ear to the song of love

for it beckons and grants a much kinder

destination without chains or remorse.

May 9, 2013 0

Church Practice…Mission & Vision Pt. 2

Church Practice pt.2:

Assessment & Strategy

“Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” Proverbs 29:18

How do we begin to set our sights on new ventures and capture victories in our church? Or perhaps how do we recapture the vigor and passion our church once had is a better question? All too often organic ministry takes shape, spontaneous growth occurs and we just don’t know what to do next. We say that we want more people coming to church but when they start coming many of us don’t know what to do with them. Sure some might say, “well we love them.” And that may be so, but without purpose behind ministry we run the risk of losing these new people because there is just nothing that keeps them coming back. It’s the work of the Holy Spirit to convict and save, but it’s the church’s responsibility to love them and accept them into the family. Without acceptance and then provided roles and duties a new member may begin to feel like the third wheel, unwanted and might be eyeing the exit sign.

Questions to consider:

What is your Church’s Mission & Vision?

Do you have these written down?

Have you shared them with your congregation?

Are they posted in a prominent place within your church so that all can see them?

If your answers to these questions is “I don’t know” and “No”, then dare I say that perhaps it’s time to get started on articulating what it is your church wishes to accomplish, what your vision needs to be and how your mission might be accomplished.

How Do We Get Started?

Scripture tells us that people without vision will perish.

1) Pray:

So perhaps the very first thing you ought to do is pray. This could be done individually at first then corporately with your core group of leaders. But prayer is our direct connection with the one who makes all things possible and the only source of our true power and wisdom in this process. Vision casting cannot effectively take place within the church without first inviting God’s Holy presence to partake in the planning process. Prayer should not be taken for granted or taken lightly. Without His wisdom and direction our Mission and vision for our church will not succeed.

2) Look Back:

I don’t say this so that we will remain there in our past, but rather we might begin to identify exactly why something became successful in your church in the first place. You might be surprised as to why a program or ministry flourished or grew. Was it because of the leadership present at the time? Was it because of the community dynamics?

The whole reason to look back at past victories is twofold. The first reason is because we need to recognize that God was present in the past and He is here in our present planning. He has granted us these moments of refinement and we ought to celebrate them! So we recognize that God was involved in the victories. The second reason we look back is to identify our victories which will motivate us and cause us to believe that these victories are still possible in this present day! Be mindful though, that what worked in the past might not work in the present. This is simply an exercise to identify the victories and the successes so that we can possibly recapture or claim new victories through the planning process.

3) Know Your Community!

There are any number of statistical web sites out there that can give you vital information regarding the demographics of your community. Not only will they provide you with the breakdown of ethnic groupings but also median age, education, house hold incomes, and even a statistic of single parents in your neighborhoods. This information is crucial to recognizing who is living in your church’s radius. When we can analyze this data we can begin to identify what our mission to our community should be. For example if there is a high percentage of single parents living in your community you might begin to use this information to craft applicable ministries to meet the needs of single parents. It is important that as you begin to craft your church’s mission and vision that you have a good understanding of your community and that of its needs.

4) Know Your Church

This isn’t to mean that you are limited to just the people in your church, but rather to be wise and know who makes up your church and its current ministries. When you know your church, its specific dynamic, good & bad, generational demographics, educational demographics, then you will begin to see what their needs are also. From this study you will then also be able to draw from those resources to better help you devise your strategies as you move forward. With your Core group of leaders you can identify church members who could be utilized in any number of ministries and that of their potential. It is important to know what you already have and who will support your church’s mission and vision.

5) S.W.O.T. Analysis

There are other means of analyzing and planning your mission & vision, but this is one tool that I have used and have seen success from. In your Core group, set aside an hour or two to sit down and do a S.W.O.T. analysis of your church while having your community demographics information at hand. What is S.W.O.T.? It is a tool to identify you Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats. Here is a web link to read up further on this vital tool: http://ctb.ku.edu/en/tablecontents/sub_section_main_1049.aspx

As you get together have some big poster board paper handy, or a couple of dry erase boards available to that you can discuss and identify your church’s strengths and weaknesses, its opportunities and threats. Write them down as you share, post them on the wall so you begin to see the big picture as you proceed forward. When these are visible you will begin to grasp where your Mission is, what it looks like in your specific community and then you can cast your vision.

6) Identifying your Mission

There are many ways to do this, but with the information you have now already done, you can begin to see what it is God is calling your church to be and do in the community He has placed you in. But be mindful, you must not mistake your vision statement for your mission statement. These two things are not the same…they are hand in glove but the Mission statement ought to come before the Vision statement. Your mission is what you do every day, while your vision is what will take place in the future because you are living out this mission every day. Does that make sense? Mission is intrinsically who you are, while Vision is where you’d like to be because of who you are. Mission =Identity, Vision=future.

Since there are a lot of mission statement helps out there, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel here…use some of these resources to help you. Do some research! Here is a great tool to help you with your mission statement: http://www.firstthird.org/eym/EYM-Tool-2-Identifying-Your-Churchs-Culture.pdf

7) Vision Statement:

Again make sure that you have your mission statement for your specific church nailed down before tackling the vision statement. It’s like trying to build a house without the foundation. You need your mission statement to be clear before you can identify where you want to go. Vision casting might take some time; some continued prayer will be involved. But remember this is your church, your future and good things don’t come from poor planning or no planning. It will take some sweat and possibly tears to get there.

http://scottjeffrey.com/2010/01/how-to-craft-a-compelling-vision-statement/

Video Helps:

http://youtu.be/ioY-YSOKBtY

http://youtu.be/7orBFwkziyg

http://youtu.be/HOSpEFyGWLQ

When I went to college for organizational leadership, I learned this process and it struck me how simple it can be but many times we make it out to be so complex. With your Core leaders there has to be no ego, no sugar coating, just humble servants wanting to invest in what God has given you and your church ministries. When you put your church and community under the microscope it might be painful, yet endure the uncomfortable nature of this process because great things can and will take place if you allow God to use you and your church for His purposes alone!

Feel free to send me questions or feedback if you are interested in starting this process with your church. I have a real passion for churches going through or needing to go through this planning process!

scottstrissel@yahoo.com

May 9, 2013 0

A Supernatural Hero – Resurrection Power!

Ironman 3 news article

The superhero zooms in, a little beaten and bruised…but something keeps him going. With determination in his eyes he faces off with the sinister villain who is intent on destroying anyone in his path. The hero, moments before, had been beaten and considered vanquished. Now he stands before the shell shocked villain ready take him down once and for all.

I have to admit, I’m a sucker for superhero movies! If one were to look at my movie collection one would find a slew of hero films, in fact it’s probably the biggest collection of all of my movies. I love a good versus evil story plot! It evokes in me justice and peace with just a little action and mayhem thrown in. This past week Ironman 3 debuted at theaters all around the country & world. It blew the competition away in that it was the top grossing film of the weekend (probably a few more weekends to go too). What that says to me is that I’m not alone in my love of superhero movies. There are millions out there who line up, pay for film tickets and see these films with me. Why? Why are superhero movies such a popular draw?

Here’s my take – because everyone at heart is looking for a hero! Everyone wants not just to escape into fantasy, but they want some sort of rescue in their own lives. We want to see evil vanquished! We want to see good stand triumphantly over the fallen maniacal villain! At heart, we long for heroes in our lives today!

The man stands in front of the grave of his good friend who is four days dead. The dead man’s sisters are not happy with the visiting teacher. Why hadn’t he come sooner? He is a healer, he could have done something to save him…but now it’s too late, he’s gone! But Jesus stands there and tells them to open the tomb. They must have thought to themselves; ‘Are you kidding me? Jesus he’s been dead for four days, it’s going to smell horrible in there!’ But Jesus insists and after the tomb is open, reeking of death, Jesus does something astonishing. He calls out loudly to his now dearly departed good friend. “Lazarus come out!” The people gathered there with the sisters must have exchanged confused even worried looks at each other. “Why is Jesus doing this?” Some must have wondered, “Haven’t Lazarus’ sisters suffered enough?” And yet something remarkable and awesomely supernatural takes place…there are shuffling sounds coming from the tomb.

What seem like hours pass by from Jesus’ words to what happens next…but it’s mere moments. Everyone is clinging to this last ounce of hope as death has been the unwanted house guest for more than four days. Another moment passes and then there is a sharp intake of breath and then a gasp as the dead darkens the door way of his own grave. Jesus has done the unthinkable, He has risen Lazarus from the death. A body in full rigor, decomposing in the tomb has been reanimated. Where stillness had been claimed within vacant lungs, now breathing and motion has gained access once again. Lifeless is replaced with life. Lazarus is no longer dead…he is alive!

Imagine being one of those witnesses that day? They experienced something they couldn’t quite explain; they see the unthinkable take place. A very dead person is brought back to life! Jesus, God’s one and only son, displaying His very real power over life and death! Is there any other person who has walked this earth and lived human life done more? Jesus who is the Lord of life and death? One who actually has supernatural power? A true hero for all of humanity? It is wondrous to think that not only did Jesus heal the sick and give life to the dead, but He also went to the extreme and laid down His life for all of humanity. When He hung on the cross for the sins of all of us, He went to hell and conquered sin and death! But the story didn’t end with a heroes sacrifice and finality of a mournful death…NO! He brought himself back to life! Jesus even said that He would do this for us: “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life (for my sheep) –only to take it up again.” (John 10:17 NIV)

Is Jesus your superhero? Not in some corny or silly way, but in the very real sense that He has displayed His love for you, He has conquered sin and death for us and that He is the only way by which we can find our eternal home in heaven with God. Jesus wants you to experience this supernatural salvation and deliverance. He comes to each of us and asks if we will accept Him as our savior. I have chosen to follow Him, will you?

John 11:25-26 (NIV)
²⁵Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; ²⁶and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

May 6, 2013 0

Whose ‘Will’ is it?

“Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

It’s from the ‘Lord’s prayer’. You’ve probably recited it any number of times, but have you really thought about what you’re actually saying?

When we say to God, “Father you are holy” we acknowledge two things, the first is that He is our heavenly Father and that secondly He is holy. Kinda obvious isn’t? But when we get to the next line of the ‘Lord’s prayer’, what we begin to realize is that our prayer to God isn’t about what we can get from Him, but rather what we can give Him.

A few verses back Jesus even tells His disciples not to pray like the hypocrites who love to hear their own voices and want others to hear them as well. Our prayers can be corporate but they should also be private conversations with God throughout our day.

Back to His Kingdom:

What we mean when we say “Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” is this: God you are God of my life and I want to be a part of Your kingdom. We are also saying that God’s Will is more important than that of our human will. Essentially what we are saying is ‘God I trust you and I surrender to you!’…but do we really? I don’t know about you but letting go of the control that I have on my life isn’t something that I’m good at. It’s a powerless feeling to let go, and yet when we pray this prayer or something similar to it, we are implying exactly that. If we don’t mean what we say then why are we saying it in the first place?

I liken it to parenting. I’m a father of four children. They mean the world to me and I am proud of each of them for who they are. As their father I want what is best for them. I want to see them succeed in every area of life. In school, I want to see them get good grades and flourish. In social settings, I want my kids to have healthy friendships and strong bonds and connections with others. As future adults I want them to be wise with their resources and smart with their money. I want to see my children succeed and so I guide them and provide them the wisdom that I have learned since I’ve been on this earth longer than they have. In the same way isn’t that what our Father in Heaven wants from us? He wants us to love Him first, but next there is that deep longing for us to succeed in this life! He wants to guide us, He wants to provide for us and show us how to live better lives. The key is that we have to listen. We have to subjugate ourselves, or submit ourselves to His kingdom and His will. When we view this submission not as negative thing or that we are losing our freedom, but rather we are gaining our freedom then it becomes clearer as to how important it is to submit to the will of God.

We don’t pray this line to mean, God wipe out all of my enemies and crush them with your kingdom. We aren’t turning prayer into another selfish edict of our wills…but rather we are first saying, “Lord it has to begin with me…right here, right now…teach me, I am submitting to your will not mine anymore.” When we can say this and actually mean it there is freedom. When we find ourselves willfully submitting to His will great things can and will take place. The world might become fiercer because of it, you might face stronger opposition in your life but you now are fully engaged in the workings of God and not your workings any longer. Our Father in Heaven wants us to trust Him, and He wants us to allow His wisdom and will to guide our lives. He wants us to succeed because He cares and loves us.

This isn’t some magic phrase that we say to make things work better in our lives. This isn’t some mantra that we utter habitually and thereby willing our essence to perform amazing tasks either. No, what we mean when we say these lines to our Father is “Here I am at your feet ready to submit all that I am to your kingdom and your will.”

What does that mean to you today?

Have you submitted yourself, your will, your desires, you hopes and dream to Him?

It won’t be easy, but if you let Him reside in you and allow His kingdom and will to replace yours, you will be amazed that you didn’t allow Him to do so earlier. Make it your private prayer today to say “Lord, your kingdom come (in my life) your will be done (in my life) on earth as it is in heaven.

-Blessings on your day today!

Prayer:

Lord I confess to you many times I have not allowed you access to my entire life. I have held back and tried to force my will not your will to be done. Forgive me and show me today how I should submit myself to you. I know that you want what is best in my life. I know that you want me to succeed. Help me to follow you, help me to trust you with everything in my life. I want to turn it over to you today. This I pray in Your name, may your will be done and your kingdom come in and through my life. –Amen.

May 2, 2013 0

At the Construction Site:

Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)
²⁴“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
²⁶But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

When I was a child I used to enjoy watching construction workers build things. I could sit for hours watching them work away at mixing concrete, hoisting support beams, laying rebar…it all fascinated me. I longed to see the finished product, a completed project that took hours, even days to complete. I would go by the construction site day after day on my way to school just to see how much progress they had made in the hours that I had been away. I was invested in witnessing the completed project, though it wasn’t my house, I still wanted, I longed to see it finished.

By the time the construction of the remodeled home was completed, the workers there knew me by name. Why? Because I wasn’t content in just watching, I wanted to know why and how they were doing any and every task. I was insanely curious…and so I asked a lot of questions. Luckily, the foreman (who must have had children of his own) was a patient man who didn’t mind giving me an answer from time to time. He was competent and considerate of my age and so explained it as a parent would to a child; in simple terms. He explained why they put wire mesh in with the concrete or why rebar was there at all…it would make the structure stronger and would last longer. He also explained why the bubble on the level had to be in the middle so that the work they did would stand and not fall down because it was uneven. I asked many questions and thankfully that foreman answered most of them with the patience of a saint.

Why talk about this experience? Why mention it? Am I just trying to relive my childhood? Perhaps…but it’s more than that. It makes me think of what kind of foundation I am laying in my own spiritual with God. Many times in my life I have thought about those conversations with that foreman in the context of my spiritual journey with Christ. Am I living a balanced life? Have I continued to be firmly rooted in His word? Is the foundation of my life what it should be? Introspectively I have asked myself these questions many, many times. I don’t say this in boasting, by any means, but a right relationship with God is that important to me. Is it to you?

Years later I tried my hand at building stuff…turns out I’m just not that gifted at construction with my hands. But I will never forget those lessons that I learned as a child by simply passing by a construction site day after day on my way to and from school.

How is your foundation? Has it been reinforced with the rebar of fellowship with other Christians? Are there cracks forming along the walls of your faith because of wear and tear and pressures of life? At our conversion we align ourselves with Christ. We accept His sacrifice on the cross for our sins and we essentially say God rebuild me. Tear down the old, remove the dirty and broken, and start again. In that process we gain new life, a new construction takes place and there is life on our spiritual property. But here’s a big issue: Many remain at the altars of their lives professing Christ and declaring “I’m a Christian”, but they never grow from there. God expects us to mature in our faith. He has provided us the best foundation in His son Jesus Christ, but we have to allow the Holy Spirit to begin the transformation within us. We can’t remain baby Christians…or essentially just a foundation without a structure built on top. God’s presence within us, which is the Holy Spirit, wants to develop in us a deeper, stable structure of maturity and faith.

If your life needs some renovation, some rebuilding…will you allow God to begin that in you today? He’s the best foreman for the job and He can be trusted to finish that construction of holiness in you! The foundation is already firmly laid. But without a strong, stable structure on top, which is holiness and spiritual maturity, we are still vulnerable and unstable in the temptations and elements of our old lives.

Prayer:

Father in Heaven, thank you for your Son who made it possible for me to be redeemed, I ask now that you would continue in me Your work. Transform me through the work of Your Holy Spirit, grant me the strength to address issues that still exist within my life that are yet remnants of my old ways. Allow me wisdom and discernment to study your word and to apply it in my living day by day. I want to be the creation you have intended for me. Deliver me from sin and from temptation, as I know I must avoid their trappings in order to mature and to grow in Your grace. May it be so in my life today. Amen.

May 1, 2013 0

Lost Sheep & The Search Party of One

Jesus told a parable. For those disciples who had been following Him, they had grown accustomed to his teaching style. Yet they were always challenged with the content of what He had to say, often times asking Him to clarify or for the meaning. It would be fair to say that His parables brought consternation to some while confusion to others. His teachings were also difficult to accept at times, because it meant turning from some traditional customs that the Jewish culture had adopted along the way.

On this particular day, Jesus began to tell another series of parables. His audience, the disciples of course, but there were also tax collectors and others that some identified as ‘sinners’. Jesus began his parable with a relatable statement; “suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them…” Immediately Jesus begins by drawing these tax collectors and ‘sinners’ into His tale. Immediately He is helping them identify with the content of His story. Immediately the implications are that this parable is for them. Not a ‘for them’ which implies a tale of condemnation, but rather a ‘for them’ which implies compassion and love and a deep longing to restore a right relationship with them to the Father.

In a moment, as Jesus begins to speak, they are held spell-bound, eyes locked on the Teacher…ready to hear His tale. “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” Imagine if you will, Jesus speaks this phrase and He gazes intently into each face of those who had gathered around Him. They were the lost sheep that Jesus was talking about. They were pariahs of society, and by choice and some by vocation had lost their way.

Jesus wanted them to know the extent in which the Father would go to find His lost ones in this world! Every soul, every lost child was that important to God the Father. Jesus was sent on this mission. He even said it in His own words; “For the Son of Man came to seek and save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) The lost were right in front of the One doing the saving…they didn’t realize how lost they were but Jesus did. This wasn’t some guilt trip or a brow beating by Jesus, but a message of love and compassion and care. Jesus looked into the very eyes of the lost sheep and hoped that they would let Him rescue them.

He finishes His parable with these words; “And when he finds it (the lost sheep) he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep. I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do no need to repent.” (Luke 15:1-7)

Think of it, He places the lost sheep on His shoulders and carries them home. Isn’t that what He has done for us too? Those who had gathered there to listen were lost. They needed someone to pick them up and carry them home. Who would go to them, the outcasts…the sinners? Jesus sought them out when all other religious leaders of the day sought out nothing but selfishness, power and condemnation. Jesus brought salvation to them, and all they had to do was repent.

Are you lost? Can you recall when Jesus came to you? All of heaven rejoices in the salvation of the lost. And when they are found again, there is peace and there is hope in the arms of the One who seek us. Our response to being found is repentance and allowing the Good Shepherd to carry us home.

April 29, 2013 3

Embracing a welcomed guest

The snow is finally melting today
It feels like spring has its hand firmly
Grasping the door to invite our friend
Summer in again.
My son whispered to me
He would find mysteries
Within the melting mush
Of the left over winter…
I’m not sure what he meant
But he produced a long lost
Sock, a wet and feeble glove
And some coins, dingy and rusted
(Did you know coins could rust?)

The city seems to be buzzing
With the luring promises
And seductive kisses of
The summer breeze
That is currently teasing us
Right now…
It’s warmth is certainly
Inviting, in fact
I’m working on my first
Sun burn of the yet to
Arrive season of warmth.

Welcome once again
I’m so glad you’ve returned.

April 26, 2013 0

Jesus, Zombies & Humanity (A lesson in rejection)

The Zombies are everywhere, waiting to consume the flesh of the living. Waiting to chew on the brains of the fallen. Sound gross? Of course it is, yet the horror of these fictitious tales of mayhem and gore are irresistible to many. If you need evidence of this just look up “walking dead” on google and you quickly realize how big a show that has become. Dare I say that I too enjoy a good zombie story from time to time. The idea of a post-apocalyptic world is both dreadful and curious to me. Such a scenario pits humanity’s survival on the cusp of total and complete decimation. It’s thrilling and captivates a wide audience because simply to survive, within these tales is a minute by minute adventure.

Jesus talked about zombies…ok maybe not in the context that we think. But the Jews gathered in the synagogue in Capernaum certainly thought that was what He was saying. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven, if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (John 6:51) With bitter taste of distain and disgust on their tongues these Jews began to argue upon hearing Jesus’ words; “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” They had come to temple to hear the readings from the Torah and instead they hear of flesh eating deliverance from heaven. For a moment can’t you imagine hearing Jesus’ words and thinking the same thing? “How can this be?”

Certainly they would understand in context that blood offerings were given to atone for sin, as animals were routinely sacrificed for transgressions…it had become quite a booming business as well. But to hear one speak of consuming human flesh and drinking of human blood for eternal life set their teeth on edge.

“For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.” Jesus said. (John 7:55) Those who heard were more than perplexed. They didn’t get it. Jesus wasn’t literally speaking of a zombie smorgasbord when He spoke of His life’s purpose. Just like the teachings of His parables, those who heard often times didn’t understand, and those who actually had ears to hear, heard and pondered. Jesus was speaking and alluding to His willing sacrifice and eventual death on the cross for all of humanity…but most who gathered in the synagogue that day didn’t understand this spiritual zombie apocalypse.

But even many of Jesus’ own disciples who heard this teaching disserted Him following this metaphorical bloodletting event. Jesus even asked them before they departed from Him, “Does this offend you?” (John 6:61) The response wasn’t so much in what they said, but rather what they did: they left. Of course it offended them. In fact what Jesus said to His own culture offended many. Isn’t it interesting that when He spoke the truth, the truth was rejected and scorned by most. The very human side of Jesus must have obviously felt rejected and hurt. The very human side of Jesus must have experienced the pangs of loss when many of those who called themselves “disciples” turned their backs on Him. We might often overlook this very painful event of Jesus because of the content of His message. If we had to stand in Jesus’ shoes and speak this very hard message, knowing that it would probably offend and drive people away from us…would we have had the guts to speak it?

Yet Jesus knew and was filled with the Spirit who equipped Him for this painful event. He even identifies some of His own when He says, “Yet there are some of you who do no believe.” He didn’t sugar coat it, He didn’t seek to curry favor, He simply told them that they didn’t believe. The response resulted in painful rejection. “From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him.” (John 6:66)

How often does God ask those He calls to declare His truth and speak hard teachings? If we are to be Christ-followers, these moments will also come to us. We can’t be afraid of facing rejection. Some Churches today have allowed sin of all kinds to continue because they are afraid to address them because it would result in people leaving their doors. Some Churches have curry favored and sugar coated God’s Word to make it more appealing to those living double lives. There’s a time to let things go, but there’s also a time to confront and face possible rejection. Jesus’ walking dead moment took some aback. His declaration offended many, yet He didn’t back down or back pedal from what He had said. As the crowd of resigned disciples walked away from Jesus, He even looked at the initial ‘twelve’ and said, “You do not want to leave too, do you?”

Jesus faced rejection and He knew He would offend many with the truth. Are we? I’m not implying that we are to deliberately find ways to offend people. But when the Lord prompts us to address issues or speak hard truths we ought to listen and obey. Jesus came to save humanity and to give the gift of eternal life. As Christ-followers, you and I are called to carry that message to the whosoever despite the throngs of rejections we might receive along the way. Our walking dead moments will come also…how will we respond?

April 26, 2013 0

Benedictions of Blessing?

This is an old Franciscan Benediction:

May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain in to joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

Not sure about you, but this benediction speaks to me. We often sugar coat our faith, puff it up to look good, wax eloquence and polish the rusting faith. Here in these phrases, speaks something genuine and real. It speaks to the heart of life, and how we truly live it. Today, God has impressed upon me the need to be real with Him. Not phony or half-truthful, but genuine. Do you know what the tough thing about being genuine is? It’s being vulnerable. For most, including me at times, it’s the scariest proposition. Because allowing God to view us in this light is difficult and frightening.

May this prayer of blessing and benediction be yours today as well!

April 23, 2013 0

Tag: Hope