The Bride (part 2)

A beautiful bride would be so attractive to everyone that Christ's name would be famous and praised around this world.

Jesus attracted people with messed up lives to Him.

The Church doesn't... I don't.

Why?

I believe the actions of the "Church" have given Christ's name the reputation of being judgemental, legalistic, prideful, and cliquish- basically religious. Everything Christ wasn't.

I can't blame the world for this sad perception of a Jesus that they have never met. I can blame the "Christians" who continue to misrepresent Him and the "Christian" leaders who allow it.

It is time for the Bride of Jesus to start to represent what He stood for and to begin to peel away the layers of dirt that we have covered Him in.

It is pointless for me to complain about history and not try to change the future.

The world (and many churches) raise us to believe some people are better than others and some people are like us and some aren't.

People who claim they are Christian must shake these prejudices. How? Spend more time in the presence of Christ than in the presence of earthly influences.

And then we must actively seek ways to love people who are filthy and show them that Christ does not reject them because of their past sin... and neither do we.

The global Church should flock to opportunities to love the unloved. Race to clothe the poor. Overwhelm the hungry with food.

It is going to take a lot of time and generations to clean off the stigma. But we can. Imagine a Church that is known for love- the way the Bible says it should be. The non-Christians would take notice. Other religions would take notice. The media would tell the story. And the governments would thank us.

This is the role that the Church is meant to have. Let's get started.

Pray for Missionaries

I hope you enjoyed my first video post. In the future they will be much shorter. Oh and that was Mason, my yorkie, barking in the background. She just really wanted to be on YouTube...

Ephesians 3:16-21 (a great prayer for missionaries)

¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

²⁰Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Here is a better youtube video on the same topic... (I didn't see this until after making mine)

The Bride (part 1)

The bride of Christ, the church, and all that is right and wrong about her, is constantly on my heart.  (my bride pictured here --> )

I've been thinking about posting my thoughts on this topic for a long time, but it is overwhelming to even consider writing about it, because the conversation is just so huge.

So... I've decided to break it up and just write smaller posts as things hit me hard.  It may be unorganized, random, and such, but it's better than nothing... right?

Today's thought is one that is more disturbing to me than most.  It really breaks my heart.

And that is that the church today, at least a lot of it, is causing more damage than glory to the name of Christ.

Our attempts to live and minister without the power of the Holy Spirit, through our own wisdom, by our own strength,  and blatantly fleshy - represents Christ falsely and blemishes His name.  

We represent the cross to the world and yet we fail to walk in the freedom it gave us and we fail to receive the power and grace that comes from the Holy Spirit.  We misrepresent Christ and our God because we think we can handle it on our own and we neglect to surrender to Him.

Humans sin and mess up, and the church is made up of humans. So, Christians are going to mess up, and that is ok.  That is life. However, it is one thing to be a body of believers who, in humility, repent passionately and honestly fall on our faces.  

Instead, so often when we act up, we make excuses, argue our case, or hide from our mistakes.  

These things hurt so bad because they completely disregard the cross. The gift Christ gave for our sins is rejected when we act like we don't need it.

Instead the bride must be wholly dependant on her Lord.  

What if the Christian church was known for it's humility and reliance on God rather than its self-righteousness?

What if people could meet an average "Christian" and truly get a picture of Christ?

That would be a beautiful bride.

focus: Him & her

Lately, it seems the Lord is teaching me about focus.

Primarily through my best tutor, the Holy Spirit, but also from several other sources.

When I say "focus", I don't mean priority.

I'm learning a new definition for focus as I've found myself simplifying my life lately. I am beginning to understand that a simple and single-minded approach to life is the only way I can live the life God has called me to. This involves a hyper-focused squint on the few things that are worth giving your life to.  

At this point in my life that comes down to 

1. Jesus 

2. my wife Stephanie

It's really hard for me not to put 3, 4, or 5 items on this list.  

At the same time, I realize that even 2 is stretching it.  

I want to put "Church planting" on the list as I am feeling God's leading in that direction.  I want to put "Business as Missions" on that list as I know God has called me to do something in the realm of business for His glory. I want to put my family and my job on the list, but I have come to realize that I am unable to truly focus on all of that right now. This does not mean I neglect these things, but nothing gets my ALL but Jesus and Stephanie.

I think God will mature me to a place where I can focus on a third item and maybe even more down the road.  When I get really good at the first 2, I think He will trust me with more.  When I become so dedicated to Him and her(Steph), that nothing else matters and my time, resources, and thoughts are almost solely surrendered to these 2, then maybe He will show me the 3rd.

I find when I am focused solely on driving, I never swerve or hit the "rumble pack" on the edge of the lane that is meant to wake up sleepers.  But, as soon as I start to focus on something else, even if it is just mentally, my driving suffers and I am buzZzZzed by the rumbler. 

I need single minded focus.  

Even good things are distractions if they cause us to start drifting away from Jesus, our relationship with Him, or His purpose for us.

I have always considered myself a "visionary" (whatever that means).

And I know that visions are pretty pointless if they remain unfulfilled.  This has always been my challenge- taking my ideas, dreams, and visions, and doing something with them.

I think focus is one of the most important steps to fulfilling vision.  This may seem obvious, but in the world we live, it is very easy to get distracted. So a sole focus on a vision, I believe, is the missing key for me to see completion in the things God has for me.

Focus results in the necessary ingrediants for vision:

1. zero toleration for distraction

2. an unshakeable conviction of purpose

3. an unwavering dedication to completion

There are very few things in each individuals life that should garner true single-minded focus.

Right now my vision is to be the best husband in the world and to grow in my relationship with Christ to an intimate Father/son mentorship with my ever-present Lord.

Single minded focus.

I'm excited about my #3 and I can't wait until I am there.  I can see God shaping me for it every day and preparing me for the task.  But right now, I am a runner on the starting block waiting for the gun to shoot.  I need to keep my focus on my foundation, God, and poise myself for the race that is to begin very shortly.  I can definitly feel the anticipation of the gunfire, but I know that if I don't focus on my current posture I'll just fall on my face.

I must have single minded focus.

my mom is getting married Saturday...

My Mom is getting married next Saturday...

I took the photo above and below a few weeks ago of her and her fiance Ed.  

While the relationship is still in the clouds and very new to both... I am very excited about what God is planning for these two.

Yesterday, I had the chance to have a good conversation with Edward (Steph and I like to call him Edward *Twilight*). 

I really enjoyed our discussion as we moved from the nation of Israel & Judaism, on to Catholicism, and then to the current political and economic situation America is in and how it is an awesome opportunity for the church to shine and stand firm (more on that some day soon).  I can see Ed and I having many more deep talks for years to come.

Ed is going to be an amazing husband for my mom because he will act as a spiritual leader for her as every husband should. He loves Jesus, the word of God, and the Church. I believe Ed truly walks in the power of the Holy Spirit and in relationship with God. A fun, active, passionate, and generous guy.

So.... I guess he's good enough for my mom...

I'm so priveledged to be giving her away or "handing her off" as I like to call it.

She is a very beautiful woman and I can't wait to see her on Saturday in her blue dress.  She is the best mom in the world and has been an amazing example for me my entire life.  She has gone through enough pain and suffering in her life with the loss of 2 daughters, my dad, and many many other trials that I think she understands the bible when it talks about trials more than I hope I ever will.  She only deserves the best.  I pray that this relationship lasts the rest of their lives and that they get to see the world together, grow together in their love and relationship with God, and serve Him together in many different ways throughout the years.

Mom and Edward have asked me to read Ps. 103: 1-5 and Ps.16:11 during the wedding ceremony. I read these scriptures this morning and they are very telling of both my mom and Ed's attitude toward this occasion. They are both so thankful to God for this blessing and are praising him with everything that is within them... and so am I.

  

Challenging Sermons Online

I wanted to recommend my favorite preacher and teacher, Mark Driscoll.

Enjoy his sermons online at his church website   :   www.marshillchurch.org

He is a little controversial because he loves Jesus and people enough to be blunt and real.  I like that.

I never have a problem paying attention and I listen to a sermon every chance I get because they are so engaging and challenging.

Characteristics of a Pioneer

Last night at Perspectives, the National Director, David Flynn, taught about William Carey with a theatrical performance and followed up with stories and insights into other pioneers in missions history.

My favorite part of the night was when Mr. Flynn listed characteristics of pioneers. Here they are.

Pioneers...

• are truly passionate for God
• are available
• study the whole picture
• see needs/ resources through God's eyes
• are often considered unlikely to be significant
• pursue a vision beyond their abilities 
• depend on prayer
• couple their prayer with action
• publish the challenge of their vision
• motivate others towards obedience-mobilization
• challenge common assumptions
• motivation is purely God's glory