Where do you see yourself?  Is the church a cold institution in your mind?  Are you indifferent?  Or is the spiritual movement in your life that comes from loving Jesus, transforming your very person?

The Greek word for church is Ekklesia, which means called out ones.  The church is not a building though we may meet in one.  The church is not an organization though it takes organization to mobilize and train people.  You don’t have to go to church to meet with God, though you may have an experience with him during a gathering.

Though we may go to church, let’s not miss the significance of this play on words.

The church is comprised of the people of God – people who put their faith and trust in Jesus.    If you are connected to Jesus, where you go, where I go – we go as the people of God, as His church, as His Ekklesia, as His called out ones.

This idea is described well by Peter in 1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

In this sense, the church will be no more passionate and devoted, no more authentic and giving, no more willing to love and respect others, and no more or no less hypocritical or judgmental than you and I are.

The biggest difference between a cold institution, indifference, and true spiritual movement has to do with an encounter or experience with Jesus.  When we truly encounter Jesus and begin to follow Him, the idea of being called out literally begins to transform our lives. And the result is amazing: we learn to love Jesus and our neighbor more and not less.

Possibly if more of us, the church, truly experienced Jesus, we would be less critical of the church and more likely to treat the people around us the way we want to be treated.

It seems to me, that this would get the attention of the world.  What do you think?

THE PROBLEM

The minds of young men are being digitally rewired in a totally new way.  The need for constant arousal has created disconnect in the traditional classroom – men are failing academically.  The impact is also being felt relationally.  They are missing it socially, especially with women.  I also question the affect of violence in gaming.  Is it producing a greater love for one’s neighbor, or is it causing numbness to the affects of war and bloodshed?

WHAT CAN WE DO?

Here are a few ideas I have on what we can do.  We need to be both aware and intentional with the environments we are raising our children in.  Are we aware of the consequences of such an addiction?  An intentional parent places limitations on the games and the amount of time spent gaming.  An intentional parent knows passwords, checks history, and holds their children accountable for their internet use.  Intentional parents also teach their children the value of using their minds and manual labor.  This means sending the kids outside to play on their own, finding jobs for them to do that requires effort, and getting them involved in things where interaction with others isn’t an option.

I get excited about the challenge of creating healthy environments that foster the together life.  The following quote from author Krister Stendahl pretty much sums up the challenge. “Christianity is an experiment in living together – and with a certain flexible ability to take differences into account without being divided.”

The experimental part of learning to live together is more productive and successful when:

1.  There is gracious interaction with one another.  Being gracious to others is always a choice. We can choose to be quick to hear and slow to speak.  We can choose to be quick to extend the benefit of the doubt.  We can choose to put ourselves in someone else’s skin.  We can choose to ask questions before we jump to conclusions.  Be intentional and choose to be gracious.

2.  There is appreciation for diversity.  While we tend to migrate toward comfort in terms of people, likes, and interests, there are many benefits to learning to appreciate and respect others who are different than us.  The differences in others can make us better people if we allow them to – if we are willing to listen, observe, and appreciate what others have to offer.  Humility says that we can learn from anyone.

3.  There is wide expression of patience.  Most of us are at different places in our journey. We need to be patient and respect the person who wants nothing to do with Jesus.  We need to be patient with the people who are at different places in their spiritual journey and lastly we need to be patient with people who process change at a different pace.  Some of us adapt easily and early, while it takes time for others of us.  Loving people where they are is not always easy, but it is necessary and it requires patience if we want to see them move closer to Jesus.

My daughter is learning how to drive in an area where generally speaking people are not real patient with other drivers.  I find myself somewhat defensive.  I want others to be patient with her.  Can we say this of each other?  May we encourage and model what it means to be patient with one another.

Can such an experiment really work?  I think it can if we are willing to be gracious, to be patient, and to appreciate differences.

We can learn something from the VW enthusiasts of the world.  It is not so much about the condition as much as it is about sharing the same interest.  As followers of Christ we share a common interest in experimental living.  The better we get at loving God and loving others, the closer we get to showing the world who He is and what He is like.

My youngest is 2 years old and full of life.  She is quite the talker and usually pretty easy to understand – if you are around her enough.  Occasionally I need my wife to interpret what she is saying.  The other day at Fred Myers I had the privilege of interpreting for the check out lady.

Sometimes we need a good interpreter to tell and show us how to lead spiritually.

I love the example of spiritual leadership in Acts 10.  A non Jew by the name of Cornelius is described as a devout man, as a man who gave generously and prayed often.  Cornelius is described as someone who feared God with all his household.  The devotion of his life left a mark on his household.  They were willing followers of the example he set.  His influence reached those closest to him.  This speaks to his leadership in the home.

Do you want to cause others to get closer to Jesus?  Do you want to lead well in the home and in the market place?

1.  Be devoted.  Leave little doubt concerning the things that are important to you.

2.  Be practical.  Pray with your wife.  Have spiritual conversations with your children.  Let your co-workers know that you are praying for them.  Become a more loving, caring, kind, patient, and compassionate individual.

When others see the devotion of your life and the practical ways in which you live out your devotion, credibility is established.  People are more open to being influenced and following someone they see as credible.

He assumed that because he had always played by the rules, that this entitled him to something.  What do you mean they are throwing a party for my runaway brother?

The pride of the older brother kept him from seeing the true state of his heart.  He couldn’t see the wretchedness of his own heart.  In his eyes, because he played by the rules, this somehow put him on a different level.  I imagine that he saw himself better, more deserving, superior.

He looked down on his brother and judged him unfit, undeserving of a party.

Who are the people we look down upon?  Who are the people we judge deeming unfit and undeserving of a party, of grace, of mercy?  Matthew 7:1,2 says, “Judge not lest you be judged.  For with what judgement you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

The next time you find yourself sizing someone up, looking down on another person, stop and consider the reality of this verse and then ask yourself.

“Do I want to be judged?”

One of the points of the story has to do with relationship.  Humility invites relationship while pride pushes against it.  Even though the younger son squandered part of his life on himself, he chose the path back home – the path of humility.  The older brother in turn chose the path of pride.

In the end, who do you think is right?

Which path are you taking?  The path of humility or the path of pride?

As I sat and  looked at my little girl, it hit me like it so often does.  I was amazed at how big she is getting.  Before long she will join the ranks of my older girls.  It doesn’t take long.

This afternoon I met with a man who has cancer.  As I think back on my conversation with him, as I reflect on this little moment with my baby girl, I am reminded once again of the value of relationship.

Life is intended to be lived with others.  It’s little moments like these that have a way of reminding us of what really is important. People matter.  Relationships matter.  Taking the time to appreciate even the simple things in life have a way of making us realize the frailty of life and how fleeting it is.  Make the most of the life you have been given.

Take the time today to appreciate the relationships you have and the memories you are making. You will be glad you did.  I know I am.

As my wife tried to negotiate with Eden on who had clean up duty, etched in my mind for at least tonight are the words of my 5 year old daughter,  ”Its hard to put on the bed sheet.”  And so what do we do?  We put on the bed sheet and we cherish the memories and the time we have together with our children.

1.  Be mindful of assuming that everyone is to play by my rules.  Even good intending people can damage the perspective of others when they try to enforce their lines on others.  Maybe you spend an hour in prayer every morning.  I believe that spending dedicated time with Jesus is critical to the lifeline of every follower of Christ – a good thing.  But even a good thing can turn to a legalistic thing if we begin promoting the rule of one hour.  ”What, you don’t spend an hour in prayer and you call yourself a Jesus lover.”  As you can see, even a good thing can quickly turn into a condemning and self righteous expression.  The Pharisees were good at this.

2.  Be mindful of making the lines we draw the focus.  When the lines become the focus, the temptation is to determine who is in and who is not by the lines that we draw.  I just don’t see how this is profitable to the faith.  When the lines become the focus, it’s easy to become fault finders and critical of others.  I believe that it’s important to remember that the lines we draw only tell part of the story.  The other part.  The most important part is the part that we don’t always see well – the heart.  While we often make judgments based on the appearance and behavior of man, God sees the heart.  What makes us different is not the lines we draw.  It is a renewed and transformed heart.  It’s easy to forget this.

When I am consumed with drawing lines for others, my focus is off.  When my focus is on Jesus and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33), the less we will care about drawing lines for others to follow.

The highest form of law is love.  It is love and not the lines we draw that captures the heart of others.

On Monday we pretty much discovered that we own and drive a one terrain vehicle.  Our 12 passenger Chevy Express does not like the snow and does not do well in it.  While I am grateful to have avoided any collisions or meetings with the ditch, I do know not to venture out in the snow.  I miss our Suburban.

I am surprised by how many people don’t pay attention and just drive through high traffic areas without giving much thought to the idea that they didn’t have a green light or for that matter any kind of light.  When the power is out, shouldn’t drivers be more careful and not less?  Good question I know.  Doesn’t it default to a 4 way stop situation?  I could be wrong…

My wife had the quote of the day on Monday.  After being in our one terrain vehicle with me, and after being out in the cold she concluded…”I like the snow from the view of my window and warm home.”  For her, why go out if you don’t have too.

The past 2 days have been especially cold.  It is not even winter yet!

We have a family in our church experiencing the elements.  No power.  They are living in their 70 degree living room where they slept last night with 3 cats, 1 dog, 1 bird, and two fish – one big happy family while the rest of the house was 49.  Kudos to Rick and Debbie for making the best of their situation.

And lastly…I have much to be Thankful for, what about you?

Happy Thanksgiving!!

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

Somehow in God’s divine structure He has made human cooperation a critical part in the carrying out of His intentions.  He has a plan, He is watching over His plan, and He looks for human cooperation in carrying out that plan.  In the Old Testament God chose the line of Abraham to carry His seed, to show the world who He was and what He is like.  After 430 years of slavery and intense bondage in Egypt, God chose a man to lead an Exodus.  In the book of Judges, during this point in Israel’s history they exhibited a cyclical behavior of seeking and turning from God.  During this period God looked for human cooperation in carrying out His plan.  He responded to the cries of His people and raised up men and women to lead in the charge of deliverance.

In Acts 2:23, it is written that Jesus was handed over to be crucified and put to death by lawless hands under the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God.  God had full knowledge of this day and the kind of death that Jesus would die.

Acts 17:26 says that God has determined our pre-appointed time and the place of our dwelling.

Ephesians 1:5 says that by the good pleasure of His will that we have been predestined to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:9 says that God is not willing that any man should perish apart from knowing Him.

If God determined a path of restoration for the good that man was designed for through the death of Jesus, if God has determined the time and place of our dwelling, if we are predestined to be adopted, and if God is not willing that any man should perish – we have a role to play and God is looking for human cooperation.

The structure He has established always includes the element of human cooperation.  He is looking to involve us in what He has predestined.  As followers of Christ we are to show the world who He is and what He is like in how we interact with others.  We are to engage ourselves in prayer, praying for those who are don’t know Him or who have not experienced His kindness and grace.  When the divine will of God is combined with human cooperation – nothing is impossible.

While we don’t always understand how it works, this is the way of the Kingdom of God.  The greatest movement on the face of the earth is dependent upon it.  Now is a great time to cooperate in what Jesus is doing on the face of the earth.  Don’t cave into the temptation to self preserve when there is Kingdom work to be done.

1. People ask if you are Catholic or Mormon
2. Your insurance agent asks if the big van parked in front of the church is the church’s
3. You can see people counting the number of kids you have in their minds
4. You are asked if the bus your neighbor drives for the school district (big yellow one) is yours
5. People comment on how you “have your hands full”
6. People ask if you know the cause

Any suggestions you can help me with?  I would really like to add to my list.