It has happened again! We have entered into yet another year in which most of us have spent time contemplating goals, wishes, and resolutions, hopefully to be fulfilled during 2012. I would like to add a personal note here and speak blessings of God upon your life this year as you seek to follow His will and purpose for your life. May you come to know the abundance of a glorious relationship with our Heavenly Father, through His Son, by the power of His Spirit. Also, thanks for taking the time to read this blog as posts are published. I pray that these thoughts would be a blessing to you as we all seek to drink deeply from The Well.
We have been placed by God in the midst of a chance oriented society. As we have conversations with friends and family, as well as watch T.V. and other displays of pop-culture, language of chance is prominent. We hear phrases and thoughts based on luck and Karma. Consider, if you will, how much of what we see, hear, and read, is based on the unknown, or suggests a force greater than ourselves. A force that impacts the outcome of the events of our lives.
The Apostle Paul experienced similar contexts; Conversations and teachings based on the latest thoughts and philosophies of pop-culture. We join this story in Acts 17, where Paul is in Athens, waiting for Silas and Timothy to join him on his journey. As we read, beginning in verse 16, we see how Paul begins to deal with new, popular thoughts of the culture.
16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.
In this scene, we see Paul beginning the process of defining the unknown, which I believe is our call from God for this new year. Our society around us is full of alters with the inscription, "To an unknown god." Our world needs to know that which is unknown. So then, what is the process of defining the unknown? The first step is found in verse 16, where we see that Paul is in great distress as he views all of the idols of Athens. We must have a holy distress as we observe all of the idols of America, our community, and of our churches.
As Paul was speaking to the men of Athens, he shows us the next step of defining the unknown; Finding God in obvious places. We see that Paul is speaking to a philosophically educated group of people. These are the academically elite of the day. So what does he do? He dives in to their world of books, poems, and philosophies to show them the unknown God. We rejoin the conversation in verse 24.
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
Paul's words in verse 28 come from well know literature of the day by Epimenides, Aratus, and from Hymn to Zeus, by Cleanthes. Why does he do that? He finds descriptions of God from worldly sources to be able to show the world the unknown God.
Lastly, Paul speaks the truth in boldness. He doesn't shy away from what needs to be said. He discovers a way that will most connect with his audience, and he speaks the "good news about Jesus and the resurrection."
So where does all of this leave us? As one of our Vineyard teens said today, "Everybody (the body of Christ) needs to wake up!" The Body of Christ needs to come out from among the world and position herself in holy distress. As we look upon all of the idols in our land, we need to grieve that conditions have deteriorated to the point that our society is seeking popular talk show hosts for spiritual guidance regarding how to get to God. We should be in mourning over the fact that very influential Christian men and women are watering down the Word of God, as to be more appealing to the world. Rather, we should not be conformed to patterns of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. (Rom. 12:1-2)
Out of our distress, we must observe obvious ways that God can be pointed out to those who only know him as the "unknown god." If it is sports people worship, we should affirm the God-given talents of favorite teams and ask, "What God-given talents do you have?" and "How can I help you use your talents for God's glory?" If it is success that is being worshiped, we should honor the person's hard work and dedication, then point out that we are to do all things for the glory of God. We could then ask, "How can we give God the glory in our successes?" or, "Who else can benefit from our gains?"
As we embrace a pivotal year for the Body of Christ, let us remember that all things are possible for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. (Rom. 8:28) In a year where our society will be focusing countless hours on building a stronger economy, millions of dollars will be spent on negative political advertising, and multitudes will be wrestling with whether or not the world will end on December 21, we must be transformed. All of these things speak of an unknown god. All of these concerns should be used by the church to uncover the truths of Christ.
It's time to go to Athens. Where is your Athens? School? Work? Church?
What do you see? What idols are around you?
What do you hear? What are people saying about God?
Where is the search for God most obvious?
Be the Church.
Define the Unknown.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Friday, December 23, 2011
Gift of Holy Expectancy
Have you ever really looked forward to receiving a gift? Maybe this question takes you back to a Christmas morning years ago, or reminds you of the look of children just as they are handed a wrapped present with their name on it. It's so exciting to receive a glimpse of the unknown, such as holding a present, but not knowing exactly what is inside.
The prophet Isaiah must have had this kind of moment when he recieved the word from God, that is recorded in Isaiah 9:6-7, which says:
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
Isaiah didn't know every detail of what he was prophesying, yet he knew that God was offering him the distinct honor of presenting the children of Israel a beautifully wrapped gift. This gift became one of the many wrapped gifts given to the Israelites during a long season of God's building excitement and anticipation of the Greatest Gift that ever was or will ever be. Even though we would be the recipients of the gift, called the Prince of Peace, the Giver of this life-changing Gift was in eager anticipation.
Then, it happened. Immanuel, God with us, was born in a stable. This beautiful baby boy grew up to be a man who worked hard, studied the scriptures diligently, and whose ministry still continues today. As the Gift was being crucified for the sins of all people, a new wave of anticipation arose. This was the excitement and anticipation within the heart of Jesus as the Spirit of God brought to mind all of those that would come to know Him, and ultimately, bring glory to the Heavenly Father.
Imagine again, if you will, being handed an ornately pampered gift, in which a tag has your name written on it. Upon taking this wrapped delight into your hands, something happens within you. You are overtaken by an indescribable awareness of a Heavelenly Caregiver that desires your life to not only receive this gift from Him, but to be a gift to others. You have a moment, an encounter, if you will, where you accept His presence in your heart and vow that your life will never be the same again. This due to the awareness and commitment that your life is no longer yours, it's His.
You're so overcome by what has just happened upon recieving this Gift, that you almost forget to open it. Yet, you slowly and carefully take off the beautiful wrapping paper and let it drift to the floor. Your heart beats quickly as you begin to lift the lid off of the newly exposed box. At this moment of glorious anticipation, you feel every sense and fiber of your being screaming out for more of the Giver of this amazing Gift. As an intoxication falls over you, you lift off this lid, as to be fully exposed to the contents therein. This is when your heart explodes with a sensation of warmth that travels like honey through your body. You've not only received the promises of God, you've received the Spirit of God, who now resides within you, in an interactive way, molding you daily in to the likeness of Jesus, bringing glory to the Father.
There is no Gift greater than that of Jesus. There is no Giver more gracious than God, the Father, the ultimate Caregiver. There is no moment like now, to receive Him into your heart and life. There is no experience more real, than to be filled with His Holy Spirit, so that you can be the gift to others, bringing them to the Giver, the Father of Lights. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him.
Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Seek Him, while He may be found. Call upon the name of the Lord.
The prophet Isaiah must have had this kind of moment when he recieved the word from God, that is recorded in Isaiah 9:6-7, which says:
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
Isaiah didn't know every detail of what he was prophesying, yet he knew that God was offering him the distinct honor of presenting the children of Israel a beautifully wrapped gift. This gift became one of the many wrapped gifts given to the Israelites during a long season of God's building excitement and anticipation of the Greatest Gift that ever was or will ever be. Even though we would be the recipients of the gift, called the Prince of Peace, the Giver of this life-changing Gift was in eager anticipation.
Then, it happened. Immanuel, God with us, was born in a stable. This beautiful baby boy grew up to be a man who worked hard, studied the scriptures diligently, and whose ministry still continues today. As the Gift was being crucified for the sins of all people, a new wave of anticipation arose. This was the excitement and anticipation within the heart of Jesus as the Spirit of God brought to mind all of those that would come to know Him, and ultimately, bring glory to the Heavenly Father.
Imagine again, if you will, being handed an ornately pampered gift, in which a tag has your name written on it. Upon taking this wrapped delight into your hands, something happens within you. You are overtaken by an indescribable awareness of a Heavelenly Caregiver that desires your life to not only receive this gift from Him, but to be a gift to others. You have a moment, an encounter, if you will, where you accept His presence in your heart and vow that your life will never be the same again. This due to the awareness and commitment that your life is no longer yours, it's His.
You're so overcome by what has just happened upon recieving this Gift, that you almost forget to open it. Yet, you slowly and carefully take off the beautiful wrapping paper and let it drift to the floor. Your heart beats quickly as you begin to lift the lid off of the newly exposed box. At this moment of glorious anticipation, you feel every sense and fiber of your being screaming out for more of the Giver of this amazing Gift. As an intoxication falls over you, you lift off this lid, as to be fully exposed to the contents therein. This is when your heart explodes with a sensation of warmth that travels like honey through your body. You've not only received the promises of God, you've received the Spirit of God, who now resides within you, in an interactive way, molding you daily in to the likeness of Jesus, bringing glory to the Father.
There is no Gift greater than that of Jesus. There is no Giver more gracious than God, the Father, the ultimate Caregiver. There is no moment like now, to receive Him into your heart and life. There is no experience more real, than to be filled with His Holy Spirit, so that you can be the gift to others, bringing them to the Giver, the Father of Lights. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him.
Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Seek Him, while He may be found. Call upon the name of the Lord.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
A Year To Remember
As a Christian, it is easy to speak truths about God. Often times, though, these truths are spoken out of habit, more than out of one's deep longing to press in to God's presence, even in the worst of times.
Just over one year ago, my family was deeply involved in a wonderful youth ministry at our church. On a bi-weekly basis, we watched God break through and change our young people by the power of His Spirit. Even though the church didn't conduct worship services the way we most preferred, and didn't seem to believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by the manifestation of certain spiritual gifts, as we did, we pressed on. We were learning how to keep the main thing the Main Thing. That being the truth of Jesus Christ.
Then, it happened. In the midst of a large youth event, our world as we knew it came crashing down around us. I knew at once that the current chapter of my life was over. The odd thing, though, was that I felt something that I had been longing to experience, in fullness, for a long time. Freedom. In the midst of the noise and confusion, I felt peace. Quiet. Stillness. Freedom.
Once you experience the path to freedom, you dare not venture far from it, even if it means leaving all you knew and those you love. We believed that God would lead us to the next step on our journey. Through strong words of confirmation, we knew that God was opening the door to the next chapter of our lives. It was exciting, unknown, caused some nervousness, yet kept us on the path of freedom. Since the first Sunday of January, 2011, we have called Vineyard Community Church of London, "home." There isn't enough time to tell, or ears to hear all that has happened since our time began with the Vineyard family. It feels like I've grown more this past year than in all of my years combined. God has shown me incredible truths about His love, presence, and His desire that all would come to Him. Whether it be serving our community, sitting under life-changing teaching, or building new relationships, we now know that it is possible to live in freedom. There is no more hiding. I am a believer of Jesus Christ, filled and operating in the power of His Holy Spirit, expecting gifts of His Spirit to flow through me along every step of my way.
Even today, not everyone understands, nor will they. Yet, my prayer is this: That all would know how wide and deep is the love of Jesus. That all would seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit and experience the truths and power of a Spirit-filled life. That all would seek Him while He may be found, and call upon Him while He is near. That all would taste the refreshing of the Water that satisfies eternally. That all would dare to drink from the Well.
Just over one year ago, my family was deeply involved in a wonderful youth ministry at our church. On a bi-weekly basis, we watched God break through and change our young people by the power of His Spirit. Even though the church didn't conduct worship services the way we most preferred, and didn't seem to believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by the manifestation of certain spiritual gifts, as we did, we pressed on. We were learning how to keep the main thing the Main Thing. That being the truth of Jesus Christ.
Then, it happened. In the midst of a large youth event, our world as we knew it came crashing down around us. I knew at once that the current chapter of my life was over. The odd thing, though, was that I felt something that I had been longing to experience, in fullness, for a long time. Freedom. In the midst of the noise and confusion, I felt peace. Quiet. Stillness. Freedom.
Once you experience the path to freedom, you dare not venture far from it, even if it means leaving all you knew and those you love. We believed that God would lead us to the next step on our journey. Through strong words of confirmation, we knew that God was opening the door to the next chapter of our lives. It was exciting, unknown, caused some nervousness, yet kept us on the path of freedom. Since the first Sunday of January, 2011, we have called Vineyard Community Church of London, "home." There isn't enough time to tell, or ears to hear all that has happened since our time began with the Vineyard family. It feels like I've grown more this past year than in all of my years combined. God has shown me incredible truths about His love, presence, and His desire that all would come to Him. Whether it be serving our community, sitting under life-changing teaching, or building new relationships, we now know that it is possible to live in freedom. There is no more hiding. I am a believer of Jesus Christ, filled and operating in the power of His Holy Spirit, expecting gifts of His Spirit to flow through me along every step of my way.
Even today, not everyone understands, nor will they. Yet, my prayer is this: That all would know how wide and deep is the love of Jesus. That all would seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit and experience the truths and power of a Spirit-filled life. That all would seek Him while He may be found, and call upon Him while He is near. That all would taste the refreshing of the Water that satisfies eternally. That all would dare to drink from the Well.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Why Drink From The Well?
There is a place that I have often longed to visit. This place is of simple appearance and provides low expectations. This place is one of very little desire for many that I know. This place is none other than a well. In a world of technology, "forward" thinking, and noise, this well seemingly has no relevance to us. Why would anyone want to go there? Maybe the well serves as a monument of things of old, or maybe it's a clue of things to come. If the latter is true, it offers the element of mystery. The well then becomes a marker of the land of the unknown. The unknown is scary. Unknowns are dangerous. Risky. Some unknowns have even been known to change people into overzealous crusaders, who forcibly march their way and force their opinions from mountaintop to valley floor.
I've lived in the crowd of the suspicious too long. I've heard all of the reasons not to visit the well. I've read about all of the cases where the unknown brought an unseen new dimension to peoples' lives. "There's nothing good about that well." "It will just bring you trouble."
One night, I venture away from the others in my camp to get a better look at the well. You see, my camp doesn't want to be seen near the well. You know, the same well that prostitutes go to during the heat of the day and that crippled men lounge near, actually believing that the waters of the well bring healing. I walk away from my camp and draw closer, closer, closer still. Then I hear it. At first I think I am just imagining the noise. Maybe I just want to hear it so badly, that the noise is just a figment of my imagination. Then I hear it again. "Hello?" I say to the well. I know it's foolishness for someone to talk to a well, but I feel strongly within me that the well is offering something to me. An offering as simple as one word that could change my life, heal my woulds, pierce my soul. So I say to the well, "What do you offer?" "What is your name?" Once again, I know it's odd talking to a well. Especially strange to ask the well two questions in a row, without allowing it time to answer the first one." "Maybe," a still voice inside my heart said. "The answer to both questions are one in the same."
My mind is quickly torn from the presence of the well, due to my recognizing familiar noises, voices and grumblings regarding the well, coming from my camp behind me. "This is silly." "What am I doing?" At this moment of doubt mixed with fear, I surprisingly feel a strong invitation to cast all cares aside and walk right to the well, even close enough to feel with my hands the crumbling, ancient stones from which it is fashioned! My feet start walking forward almost even without permission from my mind. Yet, they do have permission. It has been granted by my heart. My heart says that the host of the invitation, though mysterious, will not leave me crushed. Yet the host will be my rebuilder, restorer and the lifter of my head!
Once again, I offer myself verbally to the well, simply whispering, "Who are you?" I hear the answer. The one word answer that changed my life and continues to renew me day by day. It is the answer that when found, releases fear, pain, resentment, doubt, rejection, and all other arrows whose painful wounds still reside in my flesh. "Freedom," the well speaks as clearly as a single bird's song on a clear, calm night. "Freedom."
For many days and nights, I remain at the well, daring even to begin drinking from its cool, deep, fresh, and ever-living waters. Oh, what matchless peace! Oh, what tremendous joy! For the first time, I feel like I even know what my purpose in life is: To simply bring others to the well! "Is it this easy?" I find that it is. You see, when you have been to the well, partaken of the cool and sweet communion it offers, you are a living invitation. One that calls people to the well from near and far. Many people begin to ask me if I can take them to the well! Some of them, I haven't even talked to about the well! They just knew. They tell me that I've changed. That I'm drinking a new wine. That my source of nourishment is now what they seek.
Have you been to the well? Has your thirst been quenched by the truth of the cool waters? Have you also heard and received the song of freedom and felt the weight of your burdens fall to the ground? Come with me.
What of those back at "the camp?" Some of those have come with me! They have heard "freedom" and have responded to the invitation to drink from the well. Others have not come, and may not ever. But do you know what the great news is? The well is ever present. Ever inviting. Ever offering.
As I begin this blog, I am a man desperately seeking to drink more and more of this living water. I also desire to bring everyone along with me. Let's embrace the mystery. Let us walk into the unknown. Let us understand that our Master Creator built the well as an ancient landmark of a God who always was. As we draw the pail of water to our lips to drink, let us feel the son of God, our Savior, becoming the vessel from which we can drink. As the cool waters pour through our lips, refreshing and empowering us, let us embrace all the mystery that the Holy Spirit wants to fill us with. Let us dare to drink from the well.
I've lived in the crowd of the suspicious too long. I've heard all of the reasons not to visit the well. I've read about all of the cases where the unknown brought an unseen new dimension to peoples' lives. "There's nothing good about that well." "It will just bring you trouble."
One night, I venture away from the others in my camp to get a better look at the well. You see, my camp doesn't want to be seen near the well. You know, the same well that prostitutes go to during the heat of the day and that crippled men lounge near, actually believing that the waters of the well bring healing. I walk away from my camp and draw closer, closer, closer still. Then I hear it. At first I think I am just imagining the noise. Maybe I just want to hear it so badly, that the noise is just a figment of my imagination. Then I hear it again. "Hello?" I say to the well. I know it's foolishness for someone to talk to a well, but I feel strongly within me that the well is offering something to me. An offering as simple as one word that could change my life, heal my woulds, pierce my soul. So I say to the well, "What do you offer?" "What is your name?" Once again, I know it's odd talking to a well. Especially strange to ask the well two questions in a row, without allowing it time to answer the first one." "Maybe," a still voice inside my heart said. "The answer to both questions are one in the same."
My mind is quickly torn from the presence of the well, due to my recognizing familiar noises, voices and grumblings regarding the well, coming from my camp behind me. "This is silly." "What am I doing?" At this moment of doubt mixed with fear, I surprisingly feel a strong invitation to cast all cares aside and walk right to the well, even close enough to feel with my hands the crumbling, ancient stones from which it is fashioned! My feet start walking forward almost even without permission from my mind. Yet, they do have permission. It has been granted by my heart. My heart says that the host of the invitation, though mysterious, will not leave me crushed. Yet the host will be my rebuilder, restorer and the lifter of my head!
Once again, I offer myself verbally to the well, simply whispering, "Who are you?" I hear the answer. The one word answer that changed my life and continues to renew me day by day. It is the answer that when found, releases fear, pain, resentment, doubt, rejection, and all other arrows whose painful wounds still reside in my flesh. "Freedom," the well speaks as clearly as a single bird's song on a clear, calm night. "Freedom."
For many days and nights, I remain at the well, daring even to begin drinking from its cool, deep, fresh, and ever-living waters. Oh, what matchless peace! Oh, what tremendous joy! For the first time, I feel like I even know what my purpose in life is: To simply bring others to the well! "Is it this easy?" I find that it is. You see, when you have been to the well, partaken of the cool and sweet communion it offers, you are a living invitation. One that calls people to the well from near and far. Many people begin to ask me if I can take them to the well! Some of them, I haven't even talked to about the well! They just knew. They tell me that I've changed. That I'm drinking a new wine. That my source of nourishment is now what they seek.
Have you been to the well? Has your thirst been quenched by the truth of the cool waters? Have you also heard and received the song of freedom and felt the weight of your burdens fall to the ground? Come with me.
What of those back at "the camp?" Some of those have come with me! They have heard "freedom" and have responded to the invitation to drink from the well. Others have not come, and may not ever. But do you know what the great news is? The well is ever present. Ever inviting. Ever offering.
As I begin this blog, I am a man desperately seeking to drink more and more of this living water. I also desire to bring everyone along with me. Let's embrace the mystery. Let us walk into the unknown. Let us understand that our Master Creator built the well as an ancient landmark of a God who always was. As we draw the pail of water to our lips to drink, let us feel the son of God, our Savior, becoming the vessel from which we can drink. As the cool waters pour through our lips, refreshing and empowering us, let us embrace all the mystery that the Holy Spirit wants to fill us with. Let us dare to drink from the well.
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