Remember that you were rescued and be grateful! The Passover is set aside for the Jews to remember their deliverance from slavery and oppression. It’s a time to be thankful. Communion or the Eucharist is set aside for Christians to remember what Christ has done to rescue/save us. But what are we saved from? I know the Bible says that we’re saved from the penalty of sin. We’re rescued from guilt and condemnation. I am grateful for that but at the same time I’ve never done any “really bad” sinning. I grew up going to church. I became a follower of Jesus when I was young. I have been following Jesus fairly faithfully ever since. I’ve never been oppressed like the Jews and I’ve never had to be forgiven for anything bad so what have I been rescued from? What do I have to be grateful for?
The word saved carries the meaning – to be rescued/saved from our sins & restored to wholeness. The name Jesus means – the God who rescues and restores.
Rescued from what and restored to what?
The following is a list of the things I’ve realized that I’ve been rescued from.
1. I’ve been rescued from condemnation for my sins. I’ve been forgiven for “missing the mark. I live guilt free.
2. I’ve been rescued from a wasted life - From a stolen and destroyed life.
3. I’ve been rescued from hopelessness. I have hope for the future and eternity.
4. I’ve been rescued from my brokenness – I’m less broken and I am moving towards wholeness.
5. I’ve been rescued from self-absorption, selfishness & self-centeredness.
6. I’ve been rescued from the bondage of religious legalism.
7. I’ve been rescued from having no compassion and no concern for justice in the world.
8. I’ve been rescued from my hunger for something eternal.
9. I’ve been rescued from feeling alienated from God, unacceptable to God, and unwelcome by God.
10. I’ve been rescued from being absorbed by the culture of the empire – greed – power- violence.
What would you add to this list?
Friday, December 4, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Wellspring Creed - updated
We added another paragraph to our creed that we think is important. What do you think?
We believe in God – the creator of the universe:
God is full of mercy and grace,
God is just and loves justice,
God is love and is on our side,
God’s hope is to be in relationship with every person,
God’s plan is to restore all of creation to wholeness, and to see his dream for the world - his kingdom come.
We believe in Jesus the Christ:
Jesus the human expression of God,
Jesus the savior of the world,
Jesus the living demonstration of God’s dream for the world.
Jesus came to put the world right again,
Jesus came to display the justice of God,
Jesus came to provide real & eternal life – life as God intended it to be lived.
We believe in the Holy Spirit:
We believe that the Holy Spirit is here now,
The Holy Spirit guides us into truth,
The Holy Spirit empowers our lives as we seek God’s kingdom as our first priority.
We believe that God has a purpose for each of us, and so in faith:
We commit to recognize & honor God,
We commit to pursue a relationship with God,
We commit to embody the character of God,
We commit to align our lives with God’s dream for the world – helping to make the world a better place.
We believe God is holy – wholly other – beyond our ability to completely grasp or comprehend.
We believe that God is larger than any of our ideas about him or words used to describe him.
As a result, we hold these beliefs humbly and loosely -
Embracing the mystery.
Amen
We believe in God – the creator of the universe:
God is full of mercy and grace,
God is just and loves justice,
God is love and is on our side,
God’s hope is to be in relationship with every person,
God’s plan is to restore all of creation to wholeness, and to see his dream for the world - his kingdom come.
We believe in Jesus the Christ:
Jesus the human expression of God,
Jesus the savior of the world,
Jesus the living demonstration of God’s dream for the world.
Jesus came to put the world right again,
Jesus came to display the justice of God,
Jesus came to provide real & eternal life – life as God intended it to be lived.
We believe in the Holy Spirit:
We believe that the Holy Spirit is here now,
The Holy Spirit guides us into truth,
The Holy Spirit empowers our lives as we seek God’s kingdom as our first priority.
We believe that God has a purpose for each of us, and so in faith:
We commit to recognize & honor God,
We commit to pursue a relationship with God,
We commit to embody the character of God,
We commit to align our lives with God’s dream for the world – helping to make the world a better place.
We believe God is holy – wholly other – beyond our ability to completely grasp or comprehend.
We believe that God is larger than any of our ideas about him or words used to describe him.
As a result, we hold these beliefs humbly and loosely -
Embracing the mystery.
Amen
Friday, November 6, 2009
Understanding God's Mission
Big question #3: What is the mission of God?
Missiologists often use the the term mission Dei, which means the mission of God. As a result many refer to God as a “missionary God.” They understand the church as a “sent people.” “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21).
Mission is understood as being derived from the very nature of God. It is thus put in the context of the doctrine of the Trinity, not of ecclesiology (doctrine of the church) or soteriology (doctrine of salvation). The classical doctrine of the mission Dei as God the Father sending the Son, and God the Father and the Son sending the Spirit is expanded to include yet another “movement”: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit sending the church into the world. (From the Book Transforming Mission by David Bosch.)
As we have used the tools of biblical scholarship carefully, we have begun to learn that the biblical message is more radical, more inclusive, more transforming than we have allowed it to be. In particular, we have begun to see that the church of Jesus Christ is not the purpose or goal of the gospel, but rather its instrument and witness. God’s mission embraces all of creation. “God so love the world” is the emphasis of the beloved gospel summary in John 3:16. This does not mean that the church is not essential to God’s work of salvation – it is. But it is essential as God’s chosen people “who are blessed to be a blessing to the nations” (Genesis 12). (From the book Missional Church edited by Darrell L. Guder.)
What is God’s mission?
Mission is the result of God’s initiative, rooted in God’s purposes to restore and heal creation.
“God’s mission is to set things right in a broken, sinful world, to redeem it, and to restore it to what God has always intended for the world.” (From Treasures in Clay Jars edited by Lois Y. Barrett)
We are called and sent to represent God’s dream for the world. It is our task to create foretastes of God’s kingdom here on earth.
Romans 14:17 - the Kingdom of God is justice, wholeness & celebration.
1. As followers of the way of Jesus we represent the reign of God in the world. By “being” different. We love one another
2. As followers of the way of Jesus we serve the reign of God. By “doing” acts of mercy and justice.
3. As followers of the way of Jesus we announce the reign of God. By “speaking” good news.
The Kingdom of God is both a gift we receive and a realm that we inhabit.
The daily life for a follower of Jesus is about asking how one may move more fully into the realm of God’s reign & how one may welcome & receive God’s reign into the fabric of one’s life this day more than ever before.
I believe that these ideas are the key to experiencing “life to the full” that Jesus promised.
Shalom!
The following are a few key verses from Scripture that teach this concept:
John 10:10, 17:3, 3:16-17, Luke 4:43, 4:18-19, 10:27, 8:48, Mark 4:37-39, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Galatians 3:28-29, Ephesians 2:14, Colossians 1:19-20, Ezekiel 34:25-29, Leviticus 26:4-6, Isaiah 11:6-9, 32:16-17, 65, Jeremiah 29:10-14 & Psalm 34:14
So what do you think?
Missiologists often use the the term mission Dei, which means the mission of God. As a result many refer to God as a “missionary God.” They understand the church as a “sent people.” “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (John 20:21).
Mission is understood as being derived from the very nature of God. It is thus put in the context of the doctrine of the Trinity, not of ecclesiology (doctrine of the church) or soteriology (doctrine of salvation). The classical doctrine of the mission Dei as God the Father sending the Son, and God the Father and the Son sending the Spirit is expanded to include yet another “movement”: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit sending the church into the world. (From the Book Transforming Mission by David Bosch.)
As we have used the tools of biblical scholarship carefully, we have begun to learn that the biblical message is more radical, more inclusive, more transforming than we have allowed it to be. In particular, we have begun to see that the church of Jesus Christ is not the purpose or goal of the gospel, but rather its instrument and witness. God’s mission embraces all of creation. “God so love the world” is the emphasis of the beloved gospel summary in John 3:16. This does not mean that the church is not essential to God’s work of salvation – it is. But it is essential as God’s chosen people “who are blessed to be a blessing to the nations” (Genesis 12). (From the book Missional Church edited by Darrell L. Guder.)
What is God’s mission?
Mission is the result of God’s initiative, rooted in God’s purposes to restore and heal creation.
“God’s mission is to set things right in a broken, sinful world, to redeem it, and to restore it to what God has always intended for the world.” (From Treasures in Clay Jars edited by Lois Y. Barrett)
We are called and sent to represent God’s dream for the world. It is our task to create foretastes of God’s kingdom here on earth.
Romans 14:17 - the Kingdom of God is justice, wholeness & celebration.
1. As followers of the way of Jesus we represent the reign of God in the world. By “being” different. We love one another
2. As followers of the way of Jesus we serve the reign of God. By “doing” acts of mercy and justice.
3. As followers of the way of Jesus we announce the reign of God. By “speaking” good news.
The Kingdom of God is both a gift we receive and a realm that we inhabit.
The daily life for a follower of Jesus is about asking how one may move more fully into the realm of God’s reign & how one may welcome & receive God’s reign into the fabric of one’s life this day more than ever before.
I believe that these ideas are the key to experiencing “life to the full” that Jesus promised.
Shalom!
The following are a few key verses from Scripture that teach this concept:
John 10:10, 17:3, 3:16-17, Luke 4:43, 4:18-19, 10:27, 8:48, Mark 4:37-39, 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Galatians 3:28-29, Ephesians 2:14, Colossians 1:19-20, Ezekiel 34:25-29, Leviticus 26:4-6, Isaiah 11:6-9, 32:16-17, 65, Jeremiah 29:10-14 & Psalm 34:14
So what do you think?
Thursday, October 1, 2009
What is the Gospel - the Good News Message of Jesus?
I believe that there are at least three really big questions that leaders in the “way of Jesus” ought to be asking. One of the questions is “what is a disciple and how do you make one? I’ve discussed this question previously. A second question that must be asked is; what is the “good news message of Jesus”? We assume we know the answer to these questions. We assume that the programs and strategies in the typical church are addressing these issues. We’ve been told in church or in our training what the answer to these questions are. But have we clearly thought through the questions based on the life and teachings of Jesus? Have we taken the time to evaluate our current assumptions about these issues? Are we so convinced we’re “right” that we are satisfied even if we’re “wrong”?
I believe that one of the key roles of a leader is to ask the “right” questions. I believe that we need to start over and re-think these questions. If we don’t get these things right then most everything else will be wrong. Answering these questions isn’t easy. It will take much study, effort and thinking. Wrestling with these foundational issues will challenge us and our theology in many ways.
In my own journey, I’ve come to the place that I believe that the gospel as it is typically understood may be distorted. I’m sure the distortion is unintentional, but it’s a distortion none the less. The New Testament makes it clear that Jesus came “preaching the good news of the kingdom”. (See Matthew 4:23, Mark 1: 14-15, and Luke 4: 43) So what was this good news message of Jesus? What is the “kingdom” that he talked about? Did Jesus come preaching “heaven when you die?” Why does it seem like the good news is bad news for so many today?
It is absolutely amazing to me that Jesus never once defined the kingdom. Jesus never clearly and simply explains this concept. Here we have the most important message ever, and it’s really kind of vague. Sure I know the dictionary answers. The kingdom is the rule and reign of God. The kingdom is the sphere of God’s rule. Others have said the kingdom is God’s agenda for the world or God’s dream of what he wants the world to be. (An in depth study of the concept of Kingdom in the Bible is crucial).
So why doesn’t Jesus make this important concept more clear? Jesus often used the phrase “the kingdom is like”, but he never made it crystal clear. Could it be that Jesus’ intent was to stir curiosity? Could there be more to the phrase “seek first the kingdom” than just making the kingdom our first priority? Maybe the answer is in the never ending search.
I would love to say that I have it all cleared up. I would love to say that I can explain everything – but you know I can’t. I know this - I certainly don’t want to give a clear and simple definition to something that Jesus never did.
So here are a few random thoughts that I think are true:
• To be converted to Christ means to give ones allegiance to the King and his Kingdom.
• To follow Christ means to align our lives with God’s dream for the world. Micah 6:8 has become one of my life verses. I think it shares God’s dream. “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
• Sin means missing the mark. It means to be out of alignment with God’s kingdom agenda.
• Repentance means to change our thinking (our mind) and to re-order our lives according to God’s dream.
• Jesus is the living demonstration of the Kingdom and its values.
• In the Gospel accounts, “faith” was much simpler than we typically make it. People didn’t have to believe as many things as most are required to today.
• Sometimes people were forgiven by Jesus without any obvious confession, repentance or asking.
• The following are some key words that I believe are included in the concept of “the good news of the kingdom”. Acceptance – Inclusion – Grace – Love – Forgiveness – Hope – Peace – Life – Wholeness – Justice – and Service.
• The good news includes the ideas that all are loved – all are welcome – all are offered forgiveness – all are offered life. The good news includes God loving each one of us and wanting to be our friend.
• Following Jesus involves entering a community, a movement, and a way of life – the kingdom way.
• The clearest definition of the Kingdom I’ve found is offered by Paul in Romans 14:17. “The kingdom of God is not about eating or drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit”. The word righteousness is often translated using the word “justice” instead. The word peace is linked to the Hebrew word “Shalom”. Shalom carries the idea of wholeness. So Romans 14:17 in the Ken Shuman paraphrase reads: “the kingdom of God is… justice, wholeness, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” God’s desire is to restore us to wholeness. God’s desire is that we would work to make the world a better place by serving the overlooked and the ignored. God’s desire is that we would work to bring justice to systems that are currently fostering injustice. God’s desire is that we would experience his joy as we enter more fully into his life.
• I believe that the good news is about restored life. Life as God intended it to be lived. As we align our lives with God’s dream for the world we begin to experience life at a higher level. I think that following the way of Jesus is a better way to live in the here and now not just in the hereafter.
• I believe the kingdom has come and is yet to come.
• The model prayer of Jesus teaches us to pray for God’s kingdom to come and God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. It’s really interesting to me that Jesus didn’t say that we should pray for souls to be saved so they can go to heaven.
Well there is no way that I can write everything I’m thinking about the good news of the kingdom in one blog post. There is no way I can bring clarity to something that I’m still unclear about. This post reflects some of my current thinking; however, and I would love for you to help me with your thoughts and input. Let the “seeking” begin!
I believe that one of the key roles of a leader is to ask the “right” questions. I believe that we need to start over and re-think these questions. If we don’t get these things right then most everything else will be wrong. Answering these questions isn’t easy. It will take much study, effort and thinking. Wrestling with these foundational issues will challenge us and our theology in many ways.
In my own journey, I’ve come to the place that I believe that the gospel as it is typically understood may be distorted. I’m sure the distortion is unintentional, but it’s a distortion none the less. The New Testament makes it clear that Jesus came “preaching the good news of the kingdom”. (See Matthew 4:23, Mark 1: 14-15, and Luke 4: 43) So what was this good news message of Jesus? What is the “kingdom” that he talked about? Did Jesus come preaching “heaven when you die?” Why does it seem like the good news is bad news for so many today?
It is absolutely amazing to me that Jesus never once defined the kingdom. Jesus never clearly and simply explains this concept. Here we have the most important message ever, and it’s really kind of vague. Sure I know the dictionary answers. The kingdom is the rule and reign of God. The kingdom is the sphere of God’s rule. Others have said the kingdom is God’s agenda for the world or God’s dream of what he wants the world to be. (An in depth study of the concept of Kingdom in the Bible is crucial).
So why doesn’t Jesus make this important concept more clear? Jesus often used the phrase “the kingdom is like”, but he never made it crystal clear. Could it be that Jesus’ intent was to stir curiosity? Could there be more to the phrase “seek first the kingdom” than just making the kingdom our first priority? Maybe the answer is in the never ending search.
I would love to say that I have it all cleared up. I would love to say that I can explain everything – but you know I can’t. I know this - I certainly don’t want to give a clear and simple definition to something that Jesus never did.
So here are a few random thoughts that I think are true:
• To be converted to Christ means to give ones allegiance to the King and his Kingdom.
• To follow Christ means to align our lives with God’s dream for the world. Micah 6:8 has become one of my life verses. I think it shares God’s dream. “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
• Sin means missing the mark. It means to be out of alignment with God’s kingdom agenda.
• Repentance means to change our thinking (our mind) and to re-order our lives according to God’s dream.
• Jesus is the living demonstration of the Kingdom and its values.
• In the Gospel accounts, “faith” was much simpler than we typically make it. People didn’t have to believe as many things as most are required to today.
• Sometimes people were forgiven by Jesus without any obvious confession, repentance or asking.
• The following are some key words that I believe are included in the concept of “the good news of the kingdom”. Acceptance – Inclusion – Grace – Love – Forgiveness – Hope – Peace – Life – Wholeness – Justice – and Service.
• The good news includes the ideas that all are loved – all are welcome – all are offered forgiveness – all are offered life. The good news includes God loving each one of us and wanting to be our friend.
• Following Jesus involves entering a community, a movement, and a way of life – the kingdom way.
• The clearest definition of the Kingdom I’ve found is offered by Paul in Romans 14:17. “The kingdom of God is not about eating or drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit”. The word righteousness is often translated using the word “justice” instead. The word peace is linked to the Hebrew word “Shalom”. Shalom carries the idea of wholeness. So Romans 14:17 in the Ken Shuman paraphrase reads: “the kingdom of God is… justice, wholeness, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” God’s desire is to restore us to wholeness. God’s desire is that we would work to make the world a better place by serving the overlooked and the ignored. God’s desire is that we would work to bring justice to systems that are currently fostering injustice. God’s desire is that we would experience his joy as we enter more fully into his life.
• I believe that the good news is about restored life. Life as God intended it to be lived. As we align our lives with God’s dream for the world we begin to experience life at a higher level. I think that following the way of Jesus is a better way to live in the here and now not just in the hereafter.
• I believe the kingdom has come and is yet to come.
• The model prayer of Jesus teaches us to pray for God’s kingdom to come and God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. It’s really interesting to me that Jesus didn’t say that we should pray for souls to be saved so they can go to heaven.
Well there is no way that I can write everything I’m thinking about the good news of the kingdom in one blog post. There is no way I can bring clarity to something that I’m still unclear about. This post reflects some of my current thinking; however, and I would love for you to help me with your thoughts and input. Let the “seeking” begin!
Monday, September 14, 2009
The Wellspring Creed
Almost from the very beginning of our journey together as the community called Wellspring – we have found that reading a creed together in our worship gathering helps us stay focused on the important things. We started with the long standing creeds of the church like the Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed. After that, we found the Jesus Creed written by Brian McLaren. Later McLaren wrote the Justice Creed and we used it some. None of those creed; however, adequately or completely expressed what we have come to believe at Wellspring. Recently I wrote the Wellspring Creed in an attempt to express what we as a community have come to believe. We don’t’ demand that anyone believe any part of this creed, but we like to use it as our compass – to keep us headed in what we believe is the right direction. I thought I would share it with you on here.
We believe in God – the creator of the universe:
God is full of mercy and grace,
God is just and loves justice,
God is love and is on our side.
God’s hope is to be in relationship with every person,
God’s plan is to restore all of creation to wholeness, and to see his dream for the world - his kingdom come.
We believe in Jesus the Christ:
Jesus is the human expression of God,
Jesus is the savior of the world,
Jesus is the living demonstration of God’s dream for the world.
Jesus came to put the world right again,
Jesus came to display the justice of God,
Jesus came to provide real & eternal life – life as God intended it to be lived.
We believe in the Holy Spirit:
We believe that the Holy Spirit is here now,
The Holy Spirit guides us into truth,
The Holy Spirit empowers our lives as we seek God’s kingdom as our first priority.
We believe that God has a purpose for each of us, and so in faith:
We commit to recognize & honor God,
We commit to pursue a relationship with God,
We commit to embody the character of God,
We commit to align our lives with God’s dream for the world – helping to make the world a better place.
Amen
We believe in God – the creator of the universe:
God is full of mercy and grace,
God is just and loves justice,
God is love and is on our side.
God’s hope is to be in relationship with every person,
God’s plan is to restore all of creation to wholeness, and to see his dream for the world - his kingdom come.
We believe in Jesus the Christ:
Jesus is the human expression of God,
Jesus is the savior of the world,
Jesus is the living demonstration of God’s dream for the world.
Jesus came to put the world right again,
Jesus came to display the justice of God,
Jesus came to provide real & eternal life – life as God intended it to be lived.
We believe in the Holy Spirit:
We believe that the Holy Spirit is here now,
The Holy Spirit guides us into truth,
The Holy Spirit empowers our lives as we seek God’s kingdom as our first priority.
We believe that God has a purpose for each of us, and so in faith:
We commit to recognize & honor God,
We commit to pursue a relationship with God,
We commit to embody the character of God,
We commit to align our lives with God’s dream for the world – helping to make the world a better place.
Amen
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Why I Like The Shack
Recently I was asked to explain why I liked the book The Shack - written by William P. Young.
Jesus often used Parables as his preferred teaching method during his earthly ministry. I believe the Shack is a modern day parable. It’s a story that can be used to teach important ideas about God. Here are three ideas from this parable that stand out for me.
1. The book presents an image of God that is extremely attractive. God is depicted as being loving, kind, patient and forgiving. God is not presented as being mean, judgmental, and harsh. I believe these characterizations of God are accurate. I believe that they are consistent with the character of God described in the Bible.
A vast number of people are turning away from the Christian church today. Many are turned off by Christians and Christianity. They say that Christians are unloving, mean-spirited, judgmental, rigid and un-thinking. They believe that becoming a Christian will make them a worse person not a better person. In far too many cases, I’m afraid that their assessment is accurate.
As followers of Jesus we are living representatives of God in the world. Many Christians are misrepresenting God. Our character doesn’t match His. We have convinced ourselves that it is more important to believe rightly than it is to behave rightly. We have forgotten the Great Commandment. As a result, many people don’t think that God is good.
In the book, God lovingly and gently helps Mack confront his own brokenness and then He woos Mack toward wholeness. Again, I believe this accurately describes how God works in all of our lives. Because God is presented in such a loving way, many people who normally wouldn’t read anything about God are reading and enjoying this book. I love when God says “I’m especially fond of you.”
2. The book depicts God in ways that are different from our typical stereotypes about him. God the father is depicted as a woman for example. I love this! It seems to me that far too many people think that they have God all figured out. They seem to think that God can’t possibly be any different than their image of Him. I think we need to be reminded that in the Bible God revealed himself in a variety of ways. We need to be reminded that the word “Holy” carries the idea of being completely “other.” God leaves us with much mystery about himself. Even the great apostle Paul acknowledged his limited understanding in 1 Corinthians 13:9-12. Paul said “We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete.” And here is a quote from The Shack “faith does not grow in the house of certainty.” I believe we will be in a much better place when we embrace the mystery of God and when we remember that whatever we say is only a portion of the truth.
3. I really like the way the book depicts the personal relationship between the Trinity and Mack. The book described a personal relationship that was deep and intimate. I want to relate to God in that way. Often we talk about God, read about God, sing about God, and form beliefs about God, but we don’t really relate to God. We don’t engage him in a daily relationship.
Here are two quotes from the book that stood out for me:
“Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved. Because you do not know that I love you, you cannot trust me.”
“Mack, I don’t want to be the first among a list of values; I want to be at the center of everything. When I live in you, then together we can live through everything that happens to you. Rather than a pyramid, I want to be the center of a mobile, where everything in your life – your friends, family, occupation, thoughts, activities – is connected to me but moves with the wind, in and out and back and forth, in an incredible dance of being.”
What are your thought?
Jesus often used Parables as his preferred teaching method during his earthly ministry. I believe the Shack is a modern day parable. It’s a story that can be used to teach important ideas about God. Here are three ideas from this parable that stand out for me.
1. The book presents an image of God that is extremely attractive. God is depicted as being loving, kind, patient and forgiving. God is not presented as being mean, judgmental, and harsh. I believe these characterizations of God are accurate. I believe that they are consistent with the character of God described in the Bible.
A vast number of people are turning away from the Christian church today. Many are turned off by Christians and Christianity. They say that Christians are unloving, mean-spirited, judgmental, rigid and un-thinking. They believe that becoming a Christian will make them a worse person not a better person. In far too many cases, I’m afraid that their assessment is accurate.
As followers of Jesus we are living representatives of God in the world. Many Christians are misrepresenting God. Our character doesn’t match His. We have convinced ourselves that it is more important to believe rightly than it is to behave rightly. We have forgotten the Great Commandment. As a result, many people don’t think that God is good.
In the book, God lovingly and gently helps Mack confront his own brokenness and then He woos Mack toward wholeness. Again, I believe this accurately describes how God works in all of our lives. Because God is presented in such a loving way, many people who normally wouldn’t read anything about God are reading and enjoying this book. I love when God says “I’m especially fond of you.”
2. The book depicts God in ways that are different from our typical stereotypes about him. God the father is depicted as a woman for example. I love this! It seems to me that far too many people think that they have God all figured out. They seem to think that God can’t possibly be any different than their image of Him. I think we need to be reminded that in the Bible God revealed himself in a variety of ways. We need to be reminded that the word “Holy” carries the idea of being completely “other.” God leaves us with much mystery about himself. Even the great apostle Paul acknowledged his limited understanding in 1 Corinthians 13:9-12. Paul said “We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete.” And here is a quote from The Shack “faith does not grow in the house of certainty.” I believe we will be in a much better place when we embrace the mystery of God and when we remember that whatever we say is only a portion of the truth.
3. I really like the way the book depicts the personal relationship between the Trinity and Mack. The book described a personal relationship that was deep and intimate. I want to relate to God in that way. Often we talk about God, read about God, sing about God, and form beliefs about God, but we don’t really relate to God. We don’t engage him in a daily relationship.
Here are two quotes from the book that stood out for me:
“Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved. Because you do not know that I love you, you cannot trust me.”
“Mack, I don’t want to be the first among a list of values; I want to be at the center of everything. When I live in you, then together we can live through everything that happens to you. Rather than a pyramid, I want to be the center of a mobile, where everything in your life – your friends, family, occupation, thoughts, activities – is connected to me but moves with the wind, in and out and back and forth, in an incredible dance of being.”
What are your thought?
Friday, August 21, 2009
What Does a Rhythm of Spiritual Disciplines Look Like?
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11: 28-30 -The Message Bible
"In the end, this is the most hopeful thing any of us can say about spiritual transformation: I cannot transform myself, or anyone else for that matter. What I can do is create the conditions in which spiritual transformation can take place, by developing and maintaining a rhythm of spiritual practices that keep me open and available to God" From the book Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton
I love both of those quotes. I love the freedom that they describe. I really like the use of the word rhythm. I believe God created us to live in balance and rhythm. I think sometimes the word “discipline” scares us. It makes us think of added burdens and struggle not freedom and lightness. When a football team is in rhythm it is at its best. The team doesn’t quit working or trying but everything seems to come easier. I think that’s what happens when we discover our God designed rhythm.
I believe that a rhythm of spiritual disciplines will look different for every person. Each of us must find our own rhythm - the rhythm that works for us. In the classic on spiritual disciplines Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster – Foster describes twelve distinct disciplines. The twelve disciplines are divided into three categories. The inward disciplines are meditation, prayer, fasting, and study. The outward disciplines are simplicity, solitude, submission, and service. The corporate disciplines are confession, worship, guidance, and celebration. I believe that each of us will establish a repertoire of disciplines that best suit us.
In my life I have a daily rhythm, a weekly rhythm, and an annual rhythm. Some of the disciplines I practice daily. Things like prayer, study, confession and meditation. Other disciplines I practice weekly – things like simplicity, service, worship, celebration, and Sabbath rest. Some disciplines I practice periodically throughout the year – things like extended periods of silence & solitude, guidance, and larger acts of service.
I’ve discovered that some of the disciplines are harder for me than others. I’ve also discovered that some are more meaningful for me than others. I’m definitely not an expert in this area – but I do think that the idea of us finding our personal rhythm is a key. What works for you? In order to answer that question you have to experiment with all of the disciplines. I’ve found that sometimes it helps to submit myself to a “guided” experience with a discipline or disciplines that I’m not familiar or comfortable with.
Here are a few of the best resources that I’ve found. Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster, The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard, Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life by Tony Jones, and The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg. Fosters book is the classic on the subject, but recently I read Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton and it has become my favorite. Barton’s discussion of “Christian Fatigue Syndrome” is really good.
Well those are some of my thoughts. I’m sure some of the others that read this blog can add more insights.
"In the end, this is the most hopeful thing any of us can say about spiritual transformation: I cannot transform myself, or anyone else for that matter. What I can do is create the conditions in which spiritual transformation can take place, by developing and maintaining a rhythm of spiritual practices that keep me open and available to God" From the book Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton
I love both of those quotes. I love the freedom that they describe. I really like the use of the word rhythm. I believe God created us to live in balance and rhythm. I think sometimes the word “discipline” scares us. It makes us think of added burdens and struggle not freedom and lightness. When a football team is in rhythm it is at its best. The team doesn’t quit working or trying but everything seems to come easier. I think that’s what happens when we discover our God designed rhythm.
I believe that a rhythm of spiritual disciplines will look different for every person. Each of us must find our own rhythm - the rhythm that works for us. In the classic on spiritual disciplines Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster – Foster describes twelve distinct disciplines. The twelve disciplines are divided into three categories. The inward disciplines are meditation, prayer, fasting, and study. The outward disciplines are simplicity, solitude, submission, and service. The corporate disciplines are confession, worship, guidance, and celebration. I believe that each of us will establish a repertoire of disciplines that best suit us.
In my life I have a daily rhythm, a weekly rhythm, and an annual rhythm. Some of the disciplines I practice daily. Things like prayer, study, confession and meditation. Other disciplines I practice weekly – things like simplicity, service, worship, celebration, and Sabbath rest. Some disciplines I practice periodically throughout the year – things like extended periods of silence & solitude, guidance, and larger acts of service.
I’ve discovered that some of the disciplines are harder for me than others. I’ve also discovered that some are more meaningful for me than others. I’m definitely not an expert in this area – but I do think that the idea of us finding our personal rhythm is a key. What works for you? In order to answer that question you have to experiment with all of the disciplines. I’ve found that sometimes it helps to submit myself to a “guided” experience with a discipline or disciplines that I’m not familiar or comfortable with.
Here are a few of the best resources that I’ve found. Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster, The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard, Spiritual Practices for Everyday Life by Tony Jones, and The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg. Fosters book is the classic on the subject, but recently I read Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton and it has become my favorite. Barton’s discussion of “Christian Fatigue Syndrome” is really good.
Well those are some of my thoughts. I’m sure some of the others that read this blog can add more insights.
Monday, August 17, 2009
What is a disciple & how do you make one?
We all know that the great commission tells us to go and make disciples. Most of us assume we know what a disciple is and how disciples are made. For many in churches -- their assumption is that disciples are made through the progams of the church. For a number of years now I have been challenging that assumption. I've started over - asking some basic questions. The following are some of my most recent thoughts. I would love to have your imput. I'm sure I've forgotten something really important.
1. What is a disciple?
1) A disciple is a person who is an apprentice of Jesus and his “way.” Disciples believe that pursuing the way of Jesus is just as important as believing in Jesus.
2) A disciple is a person who is pursuing a relationship with God through Jesus.
3) A disciple is a person who is determined to embody the character of God as modeled by Jesus.
4) A disciple is a person who is committed to align his or her life with God’s dream for the world as demonstrated by Jesus.
5) A disciple is a person who is moving towards restored wholeness because of Jesus.
2. How are disciples made?
1) Disciples are made through intentionally learning from Jesus.
2) Disciples are made through engaging in real community with a group of other disciples.
3) Disciples are made through practicing a rhythm of spiritual disciplines.
4) Disciples are made through an ongoing relationship with a mentor/coach/soul friend.
5) Disciples are made through the practice of missional living. Disciples both demonstrate & announce the good news of the kingdom.
1. What is a disciple?
1) A disciple is a person who is an apprentice of Jesus and his “way.” Disciples believe that pursuing the way of Jesus is just as important as believing in Jesus.
2) A disciple is a person who is pursuing a relationship with God through Jesus.
3) A disciple is a person who is determined to embody the character of God as modeled by Jesus.
4) A disciple is a person who is committed to align his or her life with God’s dream for the world as demonstrated by Jesus.
5) A disciple is a person who is moving towards restored wholeness because of Jesus.
2. How are disciples made?
1) Disciples are made through intentionally learning from Jesus.
2) Disciples are made through engaging in real community with a group of other disciples.
3) Disciples are made through practicing a rhythm of spiritual disciplines.
4) Disciples are made through an ongoing relationship with a mentor/coach/soul friend.
5) Disciples are made through the practice of missional living. Disciples both demonstrate & announce the good news of the kingdom.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Authenticity - the cardinal virtue?
“The cultural context of postmodernity and its hermeneutic of suspicion offer us a reminder of the Christian virtue of humility, of listening, and of self-sacrificing love for one’s neighbor that is free from the need to colonize or co-opt. To give the gift of oneself, of authenticity amid a world consumed by façade, is a necessity and a demonstration of the nature of the God revealed in Jesus Christ. If hypocrisy is the cardinal sin in a postmodern context, then authenticity is the cardinal virtue. Unfortunately Christians who have been consumed with the “truth” are at times less concerned with honesty and authenticity. While it seems that these ideas would exist seamlessly together, most of the time they do not. But where authenticity and honesty exist in people and communities, such postures go a long way in communicating to those around us a willingness to serve and not simply exploit for the realization of our own vision.”
From Intuitive Leadership by Tim Keel
I think that authenticity is a key value in the postmodern world. For many of us, the modern world trained us to trust no one. Even the modern church instilled in us a culture where you couldn’t be real. The modern church made it clear that to fit in you had to agree with the beliefs and agenda of the church. Any questions were quickly answered with “the” answer. Doubts, fears, and mistakes weren’t tolerated. The modern church became an “unsafe” place for many. Even the contemporary worship service is viewed as slick, orchestrated, and contrived.
Authenticity is a discipline that must be re-learned. It will require courage. It will also require trust. I believe that the only place that real authenticity can flourish is in the safety of a trusted community of fellow travelers. We earn the right to authenticity when we prove we’re trustworthy. We prove our trustworthiness when we listen to others with empathy, when we refuse to condemn or preach, when we maintain confidences and when we handle other peoples “stuff” maturely. I’ll talk more about creating a “safe place” in another blog post. For now let me just say that I long for a community where I feel that I can be authentic - I long to be around other authentic people. I’m so grateful for the Wellspring community – because they are that safe place for me. I love to quote my wife Becky who describes Wellspring as “the most ‘real’ thing I’ve ever been a part of.”
So that’s what I think, what do you think?
From Intuitive Leadership by Tim Keel
I think that authenticity is a key value in the postmodern world. For many of us, the modern world trained us to trust no one. Even the modern church instilled in us a culture where you couldn’t be real. The modern church made it clear that to fit in you had to agree with the beliefs and agenda of the church. Any questions were quickly answered with “the” answer. Doubts, fears, and mistakes weren’t tolerated. The modern church became an “unsafe” place for many. Even the contemporary worship service is viewed as slick, orchestrated, and contrived.
Authenticity is a discipline that must be re-learned. It will require courage. It will also require trust. I believe that the only place that real authenticity can flourish is in the safety of a trusted community of fellow travelers. We earn the right to authenticity when we prove we’re trustworthy. We prove our trustworthiness when we listen to others with empathy, when we refuse to condemn or preach, when we maintain confidences and when we handle other peoples “stuff” maturely. I’ll talk more about creating a “safe place” in another blog post. For now let me just say that I long for a community where I feel that I can be authentic - I long to be around other authentic people. I’m so grateful for the Wellspring community – because they are that safe place for me. I love to quote my wife Becky who describes Wellspring as “the most ‘real’ thing I’ve ever been a part of.”
So that’s what I think, what do you think?
Monday, August 3, 2009
Mystery
I’ve just recently finished reading a book that I really enjoyed. The title of the book is Speaking of Faith and it’s written by Krista Tippet. I love what she says about embracing mystery. The following is from her book:
"But we are left, in the end, with arms full, minds full, of mystery."
"At their orthodox core, religious traditions themselves ask us to hold our notions of earthly certainties and transcendent mystery – what we believe we know, and what we can never know for sure in time and space – in an exacting, creative tension.
Mystery is the crux of religion that is almost always missing in our public expressions of religion."
"Mystery resists absolutes. It can hold truth, compassion, and open possibility in relationship."
"If mystery is real, even more real than what we can touch with our five sense, uncertainty and ambiguity are blessed."
"I find that mystery is a word people of every tradition love, whether they speak it often or not. It is a word that many nonreligious people are open to embracing and exploring, perhaps more so now than in previous generations. Introduce mystery into any conversation and the conversation gentles…"
I believe that fully embracing the concept of the mystery of God is crucial as we move into this post-modern era. What do you think?
"But we are left, in the end, with arms full, minds full, of mystery."
"At their orthodox core, religious traditions themselves ask us to hold our notions of earthly certainties and transcendent mystery – what we believe we know, and what we can never know for sure in time and space – in an exacting, creative tension.
Mystery is the crux of religion that is almost always missing in our public expressions of religion."
"Mystery resists absolutes. It can hold truth, compassion, and open possibility in relationship."
"If mystery is real, even more real than what we can touch with our five sense, uncertainty and ambiguity are blessed."
"I find that mystery is a word people of every tradition love, whether they speak it often or not. It is a word that many nonreligious people are open to embracing and exploring, perhaps more so now than in previous generations. Introduce mystery into any conversation and the conversation gentles…"
I believe that fully embracing the concept of the mystery of God is crucial as we move into this post-modern era. What do you think?
Sunday, August 2, 2009
A Great Quote
Here is a quote from the Monk Thomas Murton. I love it!
Anxiety is the mark of spiritual insecurity... It is the fruit of unanswered questions. And there is a far worse anxiety, a far worse insecurity, which comes from being afraid to ask the right questions because they might turn out to have no answer. One of the moral diseases we communicate to one another in society comes from huddling together in the pale light of an insufficient answer to a question we are afraid to ask.
Isn't that great!
Anxiety is the mark of spiritual insecurity... It is the fruit of unanswered questions. And there is a far worse anxiety, a far worse insecurity, which comes from being afraid to ask the right questions because they might turn out to have no answer. One of the moral diseases we communicate to one another in society comes from huddling together in the pale light of an insufficient answer to a question we are afraid to ask.
Isn't that great!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Why a new blog?
Why start a new blog? I really don't like to write - I do enjoy deep discussion however and that's what this blog is about. I'm not interested in being preached to or condemned but I am looking for a place to dialogue about the deeper things of life and spirituality. I want to have a place to talk about the things I'm learning and thinking. I want a forum where others can join me in a good discussion.
I believe that we are in the midst of a huge shift from the modern world to the post modern world. I believe that deep change is reguired for those of us who grew up and were trained in the modern era. I'm on the journey toward transformation. I would enjoy the company of some fellow travelers. So thanks in advance to those of you that will join me.
I believe that we are in the midst of a huge shift from the modern world to the post modern world. I believe that deep change is reguired for those of us who grew up and were trained in the modern era. I'm on the journey toward transformation. I would enjoy the company of some fellow travelers. So thanks in advance to those of you that will join me.
The Bible
A couple of years ago I did an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle for a feature they publish on line called Finding My Religion. The writer of the story thought it was intriguing that I played poker and so he did a story about some of my transformation called the “Poker Playing Pastor”. I had no idea that the article would stir so many people up. I acknowledge that I was naive. I forgot that the internet is global and not just regional. The words I chose were intended for the audience I thought I was speaking to. Unfortunately many of my more conservative Christian friends (and many who I don’t even know) rushed to judgment on my comments.
One of the issues I was asked about in the interview was what I believe about the inerrancy of scripture. I believe what the Bible says about itself – that “all scripture is inspired by God.” I believe that the Bible is trustworthy and is a sacred text that can help people know about God, and to come into relationship with God. However, I also believe that the issue of inerrancy is an argument that was birthed in modernity. In the modern era people longed for certainty. An inerrant scripture gave people a sense of certainty and absolute truth. Many modern thinkers have the Bible and thus God, all figured out. I don’t think that the vast majority of people with a post-modern worldview care. Our arguments about inerrancy seem senseless and sometimes hypocritical to post moderns. I also don’t believe that a person’s opinion o f inerrancy is necessarily an indicator of their spiritual fervor or their obedience to God. It seems to me that we have made inerrancy an unnecessary stumbling block.
In the San Francisco Chronicle article I said that I view the Bible more as story or narrative than as an encyclopedia of answers. A couple of authors have said similar things:
People want to see and hear stories and experience their own stories in the context of larger, maybe more dramatic, more explicit, or more intense ones… I am sure we all want to hear stories, from the moment we are born to the moment we die. Stories connect our little lives with the world around us and help us discover who we are. The Bible is a storybook, and the Gospels are four stories about the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who himself was one of the greatest storytellers.
From Henri Nouwen, Sabbatical Journey
It has been my experience that most people don’t see the Scriptures as a collection of stories about God and his people in creation. The Bible is supposed to be something else entirely. If the Bible is God’s Word, then certainly it has to be more than a book of stories. Doesn’t it? It is almost as if we believe stories are for children. And ironically, we often dismiss children from our worship services to let them be told stories in their Sunday school classrooms. Meanwhile, we adults deal with the more “meaty” aspects of faith. We go to the Scriptures systematically, seeking to extract principles from them. If the stories are acknowledged at all, it is as if we are embarrassed by them, by their particularity, their earthiness. So we mine them for universal truths that instead can be applied to anyone or everyone. We explain them. We domesticate them. We apologize for them. We neuter them. We ignore them. What a tragedy.
The Bible as encyclopedia of topical religious information? Check. The bible as blueprint for how to make life work? Check. The Bible as a book of answers, especially for refuting those with whom we disagree? Check. The Bible as supporting material for systematic theology? Check. The Bible as the story about the confusing presence of a persona deity engaging bizarrely unpredictable people in astounding and mundane ways over a long period of time? Can I get back to you on that?
From Tim Keel Intuitive Leadership
And while I’m at it, let’s make a group decision to drop once and for all the Bible-as-owner’s manual metaphor. It’s terrible. It really is.
It is a book of ancient narratives.
The Bible is a collection of stories that teach us about what it looks like when God is at work through actual people. The Bible has the authority it does only because it contains stories about people interacting with the God who has all authority.
The Bible tells a story. A story that isn’t over. A story that is still being told. A story that we have a part to play in.
Binding and loosing can only be done if communities are willing to wrestle. The ultimate display of our respect for the sacred words of God is that we are willing to wade in and struggle with the text – the good parts, the hard-to-understand parts, the parts we wish weren’t there.
From Rob Bell Velvet Elvis.
I like to describe the Bible as God’s photo album. God gives us these snapshots of people and their relationship with him. We get to see how people have interacted with God since the beginning of time. We get a glimpse of God’s purpose and ongoing story. We get to see our stories as part of his bigger story. This is from Ken Shuman in his mind.
Well that’s some of what I’m thinking. What are you thinking?
One of the issues I was asked about in the interview was what I believe about the inerrancy of scripture. I believe what the Bible says about itself – that “all scripture is inspired by God.” I believe that the Bible is trustworthy and is a sacred text that can help people know about God, and to come into relationship with God. However, I also believe that the issue of inerrancy is an argument that was birthed in modernity. In the modern era people longed for certainty. An inerrant scripture gave people a sense of certainty and absolute truth. Many modern thinkers have the Bible and thus God, all figured out. I don’t think that the vast majority of people with a post-modern worldview care. Our arguments about inerrancy seem senseless and sometimes hypocritical to post moderns. I also don’t believe that a person’s opinion o f inerrancy is necessarily an indicator of their spiritual fervor or their obedience to God. It seems to me that we have made inerrancy an unnecessary stumbling block.
In the San Francisco Chronicle article I said that I view the Bible more as story or narrative than as an encyclopedia of answers. A couple of authors have said similar things:
People want to see and hear stories and experience their own stories in the context of larger, maybe more dramatic, more explicit, or more intense ones… I am sure we all want to hear stories, from the moment we are born to the moment we die. Stories connect our little lives with the world around us and help us discover who we are. The Bible is a storybook, and the Gospels are four stories about the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus, who himself was one of the greatest storytellers.
From Henri Nouwen, Sabbatical Journey
It has been my experience that most people don’t see the Scriptures as a collection of stories about God and his people in creation. The Bible is supposed to be something else entirely. If the Bible is God’s Word, then certainly it has to be more than a book of stories. Doesn’t it? It is almost as if we believe stories are for children. And ironically, we often dismiss children from our worship services to let them be told stories in their Sunday school classrooms. Meanwhile, we adults deal with the more “meaty” aspects of faith. We go to the Scriptures systematically, seeking to extract principles from them. If the stories are acknowledged at all, it is as if we are embarrassed by them, by their particularity, their earthiness. So we mine them for universal truths that instead can be applied to anyone or everyone. We explain them. We domesticate them. We apologize for them. We neuter them. We ignore them. What a tragedy.
The Bible as encyclopedia of topical religious information? Check. The bible as blueprint for how to make life work? Check. The Bible as a book of answers, especially for refuting those with whom we disagree? Check. The Bible as supporting material for systematic theology? Check. The Bible as the story about the confusing presence of a persona deity engaging bizarrely unpredictable people in astounding and mundane ways over a long period of time? Can I get back to you on that?
From Tim Keel Intuitive Leadership
And while I’m at it, let’s make a group decision to drop once and for all the Bible-as-owner’s manual metaphor. It’s terrible. It really is.
It is a book of ancient narratives.
The Bible is a collection of stories that teach us about what it looks like when God is at work through actual people. The Bible has the authority it does only because it contains stories about people interacting with the God who has all authority.
The Bible tells a story. A story that isn’t over. A story that is still being told. A story that we have a part to play in.
Binding and loosing can only be done if communities are willing to wrestle. The ultimate display of our respect for the sacred words of God is that we are willing to wade in and struggle with the text – the good parts, the hard-to-understand parts, the parts we wish weren’t there.
From Rob Bell Velvet Elvis.
I like to describe the Bible as God’s photo album. God gives us these snapshots of people and their relationship with him. We get to see how people have interacted with God since the beginning of time. We get a glimpse of God’s purpose and ongoing story. We get to see our stories as part of his bigger story. This is from Ken Shuman in his mind.
Well that’s some of what I’m thinking. What are you thinking?
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