I dearly love turkey pot pies.
There’s just something especially delicious about getting a steaming hot pot pie and using your fork like a can opener to carefully remove the lid. Ahhhhhh. Next, you take white bread and scoop up the insides (careful or you’ll get burned!). Yummy! Then, eat the crust, and finally, the piez de la resistance; a tall glass of cold milk.
I love my wife, too. But words escape me when I try to describe what my heart feels when I see her. I simply see her and tell her “I love you.” Kathy doesn’t need a string of adjectives, because she can (hopefully) hear the tone in my voice.
Humanity is at a loss for words when it comes to adequately describing truly important things.
Like the word “love”. How can I love turkey pot pies and love my wife?
Maybe volume plays a part. No, I’m not recommending a bullhorn to read valentines. Maybe we just need to constantly hear something in order for us to begin to believe it.
I think maybe the reason that the word “love” pops up so often in the Bible (five hundred and nine times in the NIV translation) is that we tend to forget that God loves us. Maybe we’re so simple-minded that God thought, “If I don’t tell them at least five hundred times, they’re gonna miss the whole point.”
What does it mean that God truly loves us? That He dearly loves us? That He loves us?
Brennan Manning, an author and speaker, once stated, "The God of so many Christians I meet is a God who is too small for me. Because He is not the God of the Word. He is not the God revealed by and in Jesus Christ who this moment comes right to your seat and says “I have a word for you. I know your whole life story. I know every skeleton in your closet. I know every moment of sin, shame, dishonesty and degraded love that has darkened your past. Right now I know your shallow faith, your feeble prayer life, your inconsistent discipleship, and my word is this, I dare you to trust that I love you just as you are and not as you should be, because you’re never gonna be as you should be.”
I spent years of my life trying to appease an angry god. A deity who wanted to see me fail so that I could grovel for forgiveness at its feet. A deity who tolerated me when I did all the right things, but punished me when I didn’t quite make the cut.
It wasn’t until I started reading the Bible for myself that I began to hear God tell me, “I love you, Joe.”
And the longer I read, the louder those words became.
There came a point in time where I finally believed it.
My life has never been the same.
Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Psalm 13:5-6
But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the LORD because he is good to me.
Psalm 42:7-8
I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the LORD pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life.
John 3:16-17
For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
A Community of Connections Part 2
When people find out that I'm a pastor, they inevitably ask me the question, "Where is your church?"
I respond, "Well, we meet all over the place."
Then I grin.
I get a variety of reactions from this statement, and I'm still working on not getting defensive when I have to explain how a church of small-groups works.
Our church meets in small groups in coffeehouses, homes, bars, libraries, bowling alleys, etc. We share life together and learn from each other. We honor God through our relationships with each other as well as through meeting needs in the community around us; no strings attached. And, the leaders of these various groups get together on a weekly basis to share, pray, celebrate and learn.
I admit it. This is very different from what many people think “church” is.
It takes a while to get comfortable with the concept that a faith community can regularly connect with other believers (as well as those who are not Christians) outside the confines of a "church service".
After all, Jesus DID say that whenever two or three were gathered in His name, that He would be present. This has been one of the guiding forces behind our community of small groups, our community of connections.
We believe that you can live in fellowship with others, that you can honor God with your life, and that you can change your community by living your faith out in the world as opposed to trying to get the community to hear about your faith in a service.
Now, this isn’t a knock on churches that have buildings and large services. Many faith communities continue to grow God’s Kingdom through these tools. What makes me shudder, though, is all the people who won’t come to a service or church event. Who’s going to reach out and tell the good news to them? Who’s going to share their lives with the disconnected? Who’s going to patiently love others as they struggle (as we all do!) on this journey?
May we all be faithful to God’s call on us and our faith communities as we wrestle with these questions.
Related Scriptures
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.
Ecclesiastes 4:7-10
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
John 4:19-24
“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, * where our ancestors worshiped?”
Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Acts 2:42
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
I respond, "Well, we meet all over the place."
Then I grin.
I get a variety of reactions from this statement, and I'm still working on not getting defensive when I have to explain how a church of small-groups works.
Our church meets in small groups in coffeehouses, homes, bars, libraries, bowling alleys, etc. We share life together and learn from each other. We honor God through our relationships with each other as well as through meeting needs in the community around us; no strings attached. And, the leaders of these various groups get together on a weekly basis to share, pray, celebrate and learn.
I admit it. This is very different from what many people think “church” is.
It takes a while to get comfortable with the concept that a faith community can regularly connect with other believers (as well as those who are not Christians) outside the confines of a "church service".
After all, Jesus DID say that whenever two or three were gathered in His name, that He would be present. This has been one of the guiding forces behind our community of small groups, our community of connections.
We believe that you can live in fellowship with others, that you can honor God with your life, and that you can change your community by living your faith out in the world as opposed to trying to get the community to hear about your faith in a service.
Now, this isn’t a knock on churches that have buildings and large services. Many faith communities continue to grow God’s Kingdom through these tools. What makes me shudder, though, is all the people who won’t come to a service or church event. Who’s going to reach out and tell the good news to them? Who’s going to share their lives with the disconnected? Who’s going to patiently love others as they struggle (as we all do!) on this journey?
May we all be faithful to God’s call on us and our faith communities as we wrestle with these questions.
Related Scriptures
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.
Ecclesiastes 4:7-10
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
John 4:19-24
“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, * where our ancestors worshiped?”
Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Acts 2:42
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
A Community of Connections
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be reviewing our vision of what we are called to be as a faith community.
This is important, because our vision serves as a window into what we believe our church should look like. A vision isn’t a snapshot; it’s more like a symphony. When we are playing the right notes, and in step with the Lord, we will hear the music. The vision helps us to keep playing in tune.
Our first paragraph of our vision reads as follows:
“Small groups of people are where it’s at. When asked where our church meets, we laugh. “All over the place,” is our response. The church is about people, not buildings. Our small groups ARE the church. They meet regularly to share life; both its joys and struggles. You’ll find them meeting in bars, malls, coffee houses and diners. You’ll see them serving others in our community and beyond. And you’ll hear about them starting new groups. There are people all over the place who need to reconnect with God and with others; without new groups we’d never get to share this journey with them. All kinds of friends are invited to walk along with us. They come because here they discover acceptance and love.”
Questions to Discuss
o Do we see our church as a place/time or as people as we gather together?
o Where does our church meet?
o How have we been sharing life with each other?
o How have we been serving? How do we continue to serve?
o Where might new groups begin?
o How do we live out a life of acceptance and love?
Relevant Scriptures
Ecclesiastes 4:7-10
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.
Luke 21:5-6
Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”
Acts 2:42
All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Revelations 21:22-27
I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty - but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Wedding Albums
I remember Tony Campolo once sharing about what different denominations believe about the Lord’s Supper. He stated that Catholics believe in transubstantiation; that is, the bread and the wine somehow turn into the actual body and blood of Jesus. He went on to share that other denominations believe in consubstantiation; that is, the bread and wine stays bread and wine, and only serve as an illustration of what Jesus accomplished on the cross.
“But, I’m a Baptist,” Tony declared, “And we believe that the bread stays bread and the wine … (I can still see his grin) … turns into grape juice.”
Whenever Kathy and I have guests over, one thing inevitable gets brought out.
Our wedding album.
We were very fortunate to have an amazing professional take and compile an album of the day our two lives were twined together. It was a beautiful August day, and the album really brings back memories every time we look at it.
Our wedding vows were not some off-hand comments, but real and deep commitments to each other. It reminds us that our lives are bound to each other.
We celebrate birthdays and anniversaries because they serve as mile markers of days that changed our lives.
When Jesus spent His last evening with His friends, He shared that His sacrifice could be illustrated by the breaking of bread and pouring out of wine. He was offering His body and blood to cleanse us and to make re-connection with the Father possible.
He told them to remember Him each time they participated in this “love feast”.
The Lord’s Supper is a wedding album of sorts.
We are reminded of His sacrifice and we recommit ourselves to Him as we take the elements.
This Saturday, March 7th, we will remember Jesus at a love feast in His honor. 6pm at the white house (317 South West Street).
Luke 22:14-20
When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”
Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”
He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”
After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.
Revelations 19:6-9
Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:
“Praise the LORD! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”
“But, I’m a Baptist,” Tony declared, “And we believe that the bread stays bread and the wine … (I can still see his grin) … turns into grape juice.”
Whenever Kathy and I have guests over, one thing inevitable gets brought out.
Our wedding album.
We were very fortunate to have an amazing professional take and compile an album of the day our two lives were twined together. It was a beautiful August day, and the album really brings back memories every time we look at it.
Our wedding vows were not some off-hand comments, but real and deep commitments to each other. It reminds us that our lives are bound to each other.
We celebrate birthdays and anniversaries because they serve as mile markers of days that changed our lives.
When Jesus spent His last evening with His friends, He shared that His sacrifice could be illustrated by the breaking of bread and pouring out of wine. He was offering His body and blood to cleanse us and to make re-connection with the Father possible.
He told them to remember Him each time they participated in this “love feast”.
The Lord’s Supper is a wedding album of sorts.
We are reminded of His sacrifice and we recommit ourselves to Him as we take the elements.
This Saturday, March 7th, we will remember Jesus at a love feast in His honor. 6pm at the white house (317 South West Street).
Luke 22:14-20
When the time came, Jesus and the apostles sat down together at the table. Jesus said, “I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins. For I tell you now that I won’t eat this meal again until its meaning is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.”
Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.”
He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”
After supper he took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.
Revelations 19:6-9
Then I heard again what sounded like the shout of a vast crowd or the roar of mighty ocean waves or the crash of loud thunder:
“Praise the LORD! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.”
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