Category: God

Easier life? Less guilt

“For me, Sabbath (rest) is a time when I don’t read the Bible” -Pastor Mike, Boise Vineyard.

“We are designed for intensive labor 6 times a week, and boxed it off”. I think it is interesting God recognized how important it was for us to rest. In starting to realize more and more when I come home I don’t want to immediately watch tv. No, I’d rather relax In a quite room. It feels so anti-social to shut the door to the tv room.

“Why is it so hard for us to stop? Sabbat means stop. Stress is a major issue in our culture, because we don’t know how to deal with it”. Yesterday I saw a little kid getting really cranky at my work. With kids, we understand they need a nap- if we to past nap time, we expect them to eventually start flipping out.

After God created us, what was the first thing we did? Rested.

“Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy”. That is one of the Ten Commandments. We know that part of the commandments deal with God and part deal with fellow humanity. If we focus all about the commandments with God we come off like snobbish ultra-theological zealots. If we focus only on humanity, we can become godless work-focused people-worriers. We need the sabbath command as a hinge between the two.

Maelstrom- mael = grinding. Strom = stream. Wow, maelstrom is a grinding stream. Sounds like life.

Why did Jesus use spit-mud to heal someone’s eyes? Because spit makes mud, mud is a way to make clay, clay is what we use to build, which is work. Why did he use spit mud? Because people were being silly.

When I started reading the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan I really was able to spent quality time relaxing. It was weird to just relax and read a book. So much of my life is about researching. Reading a book is somewhat the opposite; I take in what is written, planned out in the book.

Respond to loss with growth

Our pastor shared about the runner Dean Carnasis who was running 50 marathons in 50 states, in 50 days. Most of of would not be able to run a 10k. But, through physical disciplines, people can run a marathon.

There is a terrible amount of loss in this life; loss of life, freedom, love. Many people shrink back- but some actually grow in those situations.

For a long time, spiritual disciplines have been about crushing the joy out of life; shaved heads, rough uncomfortable clothing out in the country…no, the disciples are actually about enjoying and experiencing life. Practicing these disciples are about freeing us up to joy and freedom from self fear.

Jesus said:

“sow to the spirit…grow into good ground, with a good foundation”.

So how do we sow to the spirit?

We are looking for fruit. We aren’t looking to impress God, we are looking for things to do because we have been impressed by God. (Edit- I had typed “thugs” instead of “things”)

50% of pastors would leave their jobs

Watching the movie Jesus Camp, our class talked about Ted Haggarty. It kills me to hear people talking about pastors who have had a moral failure, but I know it happens a lot. In completely blown away by how often it really does happen. A study by FASICLD (the Francis Scheaffer institute) notes thatout of 1,050 pastors surveyed:

  • 30% said they had either been in an ongoing affair or a one-time sexual encounter with a parishioner.
  • Eight hundred two (802 or 71%) of pastors stated they were burned out, and they battle depression beyond fatigue on a weekly and even a daily basis.

From research done by Barna, Focus on the Family and Fuller Theological Seminary:

  • Almost forty percent polled said they have had an extra-marital affair since beginning their ministry.
  • Fifty percent of pastors are so discouraged that they would leave the ministry if they could, but have no other way of making a living.
  • Seventy percent said the only time they spend studying the Word is when they are preparing their sermons (This is Key).

American evangelicals: embattled and thriving

The American church feels it is embattled, thus it is thriving.

Require higher commitments.

Gospel preached as separated from life (prayer prayer). An individualized gospel of sun management – Dallas Willard.

Scott McKnight- we get what we preach. How we live shows be gospel we responded to.
Convocation. Contributes to the coming kingdom. Umber, janitor, teacher and using those to brig the kingdom.

Mosaic generation feels the church is sexually repressive. Mosaics don’t want to shy away about the real issues of life.

Overprotection. “Parents need for control is more about needs they are trying to fill”

If the frontal lobe isn’t fully developed, what should we expect from emerging adults? What do we do when people people are becoming sexually developed at age 11 but are not getting married until 25?
“We have to think of our standards of sexuality framed with this special situation?”

What can the church do to correctly communicate the gospel message?
Share your mistakes!
Recognize all the work we do with another culture gaining trust, learning their language and making sure we convey the right metaphors. But be true to who we are, but be honest that we are trying to share our story.

We must be radically hospitable while also being so committed to orthodoxy, uncompromisingly Christian.

Wesley said our faith is how we live. Even the demons believe and shudder. Mosaics seem to believe more subjective ideas. “We don’t get why a post modern perspective…that is a language we don’t speak”. Mosaics don’t enjoy people coming out guns a blazing. do you really want to make a difference? Speak in such a way you would like go have a conversation.

Diane Leclair – Wesleyan holiness

Overwhelm and satisfy

“You overwhelm and satisfy my soul”
– one thing remains, Kristan Stanfill

Have you ever seen someone stop crying? I think there are three ways someone can stop crying:
Eventually just stop when the emotions pass
Force themselves to stop when they become aware of what they are doing
Are overwhelmed by something else

Singing that lyric, I am reminded of being overwhelmed by God. But why am I overwhelmed? Out of pity for myself? When someone feels shame, ill bet the first response of getting a gift is “I’m not worthy”.

What about being overwhelmed by who God is and His attitude twoard me? Self pity focuses back on me, forgets about other.

When I shared my marraige vows, I was so excited and humbled. There was some self pity that wanted to grab the moment and focus back on me- oh, how much time did I waste…I delayed this day so long! Instead I kept looking at my bride and rode the wave of excitement and joy, thankfulness and ecstacy of being awesomely joined.

I want to be overwhelmed…outwards instead of inwards.

I think as a culture we lie to ourselves what will satisfy us. We look at people “out of control” that act different and assume they just need more self control.

What if we acknowledged what truly satisfied people? Joe Schmoe, 35 years as a letter carrier and 20 more eating TV dinners, watching nik-at-night reruns, weekend morning walks is…satisfied.

So, is that the pattern for everyone? The motivational speaker who seeks to inspire others or the law enforcement officer who desires to protect? TV reruns would make their legs restless- even angry! Get me out this living room! Live happens away from here!

So what about people who lead extreme lives that cause harm to others as an attempt to satisfy themselves? Lets be honest with them- you can’t be fixed until you have correct diagnosis. Maybe that is why addicts, outcasts and the dangerous experience significant peace when they acknowledge their concept of satisfaction. Then, after acknowledging that, they can ask God to move them further into the true real satisfaction.

Like a gunshot wound to the stomach, I think we bleed constantly, trying to give ourselves satisfying life but never get it

We need God to bring us deep deep down, and one by one to heal and satisfy each bullet splinter’s work. Then, we must be willing to accept his overwhelming as it flows through us.