Yesh Blog

Deep thoughts. By josh eppy

2011-05-24T09:33:00.000-07:00

Just some thoughts:
being inundated by exciting church or extreme church, with loud music, funny videos, heart wrenching and tear jerking stories has taken it's toll on us. As I've been thinking about this whole identity thing and it being tied to purpose, we should be getting our new identity from Christ. A new self as the scriptures say. By the renewal of our heart, soul, and mind we are being made new in the image of Christ.
Out of this image, there is a uniqueness which we have all our own. Things that we can only relate to some, rather than the whole. Things like teaching/communication skills, usefulness in using our hands in a specific skill, a nurturing and warm personality, being creative, being organized, etc. This is the picture of the body of Christ. We pick up where others leave and partner with those who suck at what we're good at and support the opposites to be more balanced.
This new identity is pretty rare. We see it in some and that includes the leaders we look up to. There are certain attributes of this identity we will all share. Being holy. Humility. Being righteous. (not self righteous) I even think there's a verse in there that says we should be perfect. (name some more if you can) These are the things that we should look like. Together.
Understanding these things about yourself should be essential. From this newness there can be a sense of zeal and knowledge that brings us to this understanding and our relationship with one another.
Being entertained on a Sunday is hard to pull this identity in. it takes more than just an hour or so a week. I once heard a guy say that in order to become a professional golf player, from nothing, you need to spend at least 10,000 hours practicing. I'm not aiming to become a professional Christian but we've got to consume ourselves and change our agendas to be around those who are going to show us this new image, all the while looking to Christ. Can't forget that one.
Moses was given a call to lead Gods people to the promise land. I'm sure it was quite exciting at first. The whole killing an Egyptian and plagues and magic battling a king. But the whole 40 years in the desert sure must of gotten old. But he still had purpose. He still had identity. Bearing the image of God, he was bringing a blessing.
How easy it is for us to caught up in an identity that's not of God and not of our own. What image are you bearing? How can others be your opposite? Do you know what that image looks like and would you recognize yourself if you looked in a mirror? In what areas do you need to renew yourself? Where are the best places you've seen a good look at Jesus? Can you or will you let others in on the secret?

What are you building or not?

2011-02-15T09:45:00.000-08:00

Since I've been back home in Valparaiso it's been a constant busy. The normal unsteadiness of work in the winter has been occupied by a project to put an addition above the garage that was at a time a roof. I've been learning various skills that I would otherwise not encounter if I were not employed here. Deconstruction of the roof, framing, putting a new roof back on, shingling, plumbing, electric, drywall and mudding and most recently painting. These are all things that I've been able to see firsthand and learn from guys who've been at it for a long long time. I know it'll take time for me to get the hang of any of it. We've even hired people specifically trained in certain jobs that are masters of what they do. Just by watching I've learned so much about home construction, at least putting a master bedroom addition on an old roof.
I look at this work, just from this past winter alone and see how it correlates with what I've been experiencing in the church. As I've assumed a different role in the body of Christ, it's something quite new to me. There a certain skills and pedigrees that distinguish themselves amongst the others that make each unique. As I've been working alongside other men and women working out their role in the body of Christ it's been quite uneasy. A lot of awkwardness and uncertainty has been encountered along the way, much to that of learning a new skill or trade. Questioning yourself, hitting your thumb with a hammer, getting in the way of others, not knowing the overall goal, let alone having any idea on how to get there.
Many of the people we've been meeting are still going through this process of seeing who they are in the body of Christ. I for one can admit that I'm still growing and learning but yearning to master they trade that God has placed before me. There's beauty in not doing this alone though. As we disciple each other, we are iron sharpening iron and building each other up. We are looking to each other for the examples of what this looks like, all the while looking to Christ. We know the goal of planting the gospel to all the world but there are many different ways to go about it.
It's been a joy to build into the lives of others. For some they're starting new, with a fresh slate and a fresh foundation. A lot of watching is going on and they're looking for the body of Christ to provide that example. Some are still trying to function with some 70's retrofitting style, with shag carpet, wood panel walls, and some funky green and mauve colors. But you know what, it still works. But only if it's rooted in love. Some are seeing that they need to rebuild. Their foundation was weak in first place or built on the wrong things. So it's time to tear it down and build it on what's sure and foundational.

DNA Discipleship

2010-11-02T15:08:00.000-07:00

DNA – How the church functions to become restored into a living organism that is structured the way God intended it to be.

Divine Truth – becoming like Jesus

Nurturing Relationships – caring for others like Jesus

Apostolic Mission – being sent like Jesus

At the heart of the church and its lifeblood is Jesus. As Christians, followers of Jesus, it should be implied that we are striving to become like Christ. What Jesus did just by living, he set the example of what that restored life looks like with God. Before Adam and Eve mucked things up they were living a life with purpose, mission and nakedness. Their identity was that they were made in God’s image and resembled the characteristics of our God. As the story of Adam and Eve unfolds, they made the mistake of buying into the lie that they would become like God even more by eating the fruit that opened their eyes to sin and the separation from God that came with it.

As sin entered into the world bringing death, suffering, poverty, destruction and whole list of other crap taking us away from God, He still wanted us to see our identity and the life that He promised through His creation. As He was actively pursuing us with covenants and the Law of the Old Testament it wasn’t enough for us. It presented the life of blessings and Israel was to be the bringer of blessings. Israel failed. Not until Jesus comes in on the scene do we see the promises fulfilled and the restoration that he brings with it.

By looking at the D.N.A. we are hopefully and faithfully seeking a God to meet us where we are. Distraught. Separated. Prideful. Ashamed. Spectating. Active. The D.N.A. allows us to pick up on the journey wherever we are. Most importantly that it’s in the direction of life as God intended things to be. The D.N.A. isn’t meant to be sequential, that you must obtain a life like Jesus before caring for others or being sent out. It’s a continuation of all three together. With a renewed heart, mind, soul and strength our agenda, our daily life, is a reflection from that life.

Just as the D.N.A is more continual than sequential, you also can’t take anything away from it. If you were to focus more on nurturing and caring for other but leave out becoming and sent like Jesus you mess things up. The D.N.A. becomes retarded. It’s a mutation from what God intended. I reference it to a mental handicap when you leave out the becoming like Christ. A physical handicap when you’re not being sent out into the world. And an emotional handicap when you leave out the nurturing and caring for others. The D.N.A. functions to become that restored living organism of life with God, from the individual to the communal.

True Life. True DNA. What was life like before we were separated?

Where did God come from?

Community from Nehemiah

2010-10-26T10:06:00.000-07:00

Nehemiah 4 - community - October 24 @ Life Bridge

Adversity coming from outside forces. Neh 4:14 don't be afraid of the enemy. Fight. Pointing to the fact that we don't need to live life alone, they couldn't do it on their own they needed each other. DNA to focus on what a group would focus.

Overall: it's time to build. (Healthy or strong community)

Review

Nehemiah 1:3; cf 2:2 - loss of physical safety - the city was becoming an urban desert - reducing the wall to rubble symbolized the breaking of the bonds of community - no order - shame - not pride - dominated by foreign powers and estranged from city and covenant with God

Problem of being separated (sin) - restoration of what God intended - the garden walk

Nehemiah 1:4-11 - prayer - restoration of community

.: Nehemiah's crying out to God to be restored. Asking forgiveness of his sins, not only his sins but those from past generations."But if you return to me and obey my commands and live by them, then even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored." (Neh. 1:9)

.: Jesus provides the way back to the garden. Romans 3:21-24

.: DNA - it's the original framework for the church - not only community but for the whole body of Christ

Nehemiah 2:17 - city wide meeting - there's something wrong so let's do something about it

Pray - Luke 10:2-3 (NLT) These were his instructions to them:"The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.

Nehemiah 4:2-3;8 - Luke 10:3(NLT) - Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.

Nehemiah 4:4-5 - taking action

Nehemiah 4:9-14 - deploying guards and security

Nehemiah 4:14 - Gods history of protecting people

Nehemiah 5 - breaking down of community - Acts 2:42-47 - restoring among believers and adding more

Micah 6:8 - Romans 12 - Worship in community

.: Even though this is what we strive for and see as what the church should be, you can't expect it in every culture and community.

September Newsletter

2010-09-12T19:55:00.000-07:00

Church building update
In my last newsletter I mentioned that our building has been flooded and pretty much torn apart because of water damage. It's been over two months since that has happened and in that time we had been meeting at various places such as the Porter County Fairgrounds and the American Legion. In the meantime we were looking for other avenues, especially aboveground since it limits handicap access, to hold a church service. We found a place and have been meeting there for 2 weeks now. It came together pretty smoothly and it's not in bad shape. It's located right across the street from Valparaiso University and still centrally focused in the downtown Valparaiso area.

9 APEST test takers
Recently I had asked 9 people who are along in their walk with God to take the APEST test. The test asks 50 questions about yourself and you have 10 seconds to answer so you'll pick the one that comes to your mind first and not dwell on the question. The results were pretty accurate but for some it made them think about themselves in light of their role in the body. Next week we're all going to get together and talk about the results. It's not a final say in who you are but it's a tool that will help us along in our journey and the benefits it will be to the whole community. This will also help them look to others in their community that they can in turn build into and disciple.

Intentional discipleship & leadership
For the past couple of months I have been meeting with 3 other guys that are doing house church planting in the Valparaiso area. Our conversations have led us to share a common mission of discipleship in our churches and communities. We are brainstorming future plans of what this looks like and how it can be applied universally to those we're building into. Because of this mutual mission and growing friendships among us we're questioning what this will look like as we grow from our own communities and outward to other cities and states. As we continue the conversation with others were seeing a great desire among those who desire this discipleship journey. There are currently people from Las Vegas and England in on the conversation as well who are looking to partner with us on this mission. These relationships that I'm building here makes me even more joyful with the patience and waiting of what God is doing in Valparaiso. Right now my roommates are still planning to move out West to Idaho to start a house church and this would be a great opportunity to apply this intentional leadership with them and others such as Kris who's in Houston and Brian who's in South Bend. I know there are a few more months left in the year and a whole lot of potential growth in us and what's to come but I'm still prayerfully considering where God is leading me geographically. Please continue to pray for direction and the opportunities that arise. The four of us will be meeting together soon for a day retreat to look and pray for the possibilities that may come from this.

Spring Valley shelter
The Spring Valley Shelter has officially closed it's doors but there are still families residing there. NIPSCO (electric and gas) will be turned off at the end of the month. As of right now every family unit has been placed into new residences but have not moved out of the shelter. Me and several others have been in touch with Housing Opportunities, the organization that acquired the shelter, to make sure the families are still being cared for. The shelter will soon be opened when the grant from the government goes through. We are also trying to raise funds so when new families that come in will have a fresh start with a refurbished living arrangement. The units have been vandalized and could use a fresh coat of paint and furnishings.

Chicago Marathon
Last week I reached my highest amount of mileage with 22 miles! It wasn't as tough as i thought it would be and it also helped that I had someone to run with at my pace. Later in the week my foot started aching so I've been staying off it and was only able to put in 6 miles this week and I missed my long run. I think I also may have strep throat, but that seems to be going away.

Prayer meetings
Every Tuesday the staff at Life Bridge come together and pray for the connect cards that the attendees fill out during the service. We've been able to do this since we've started and it's been a great encouragement to us and the whole body. This weekend we are changing it up so that all the leaders of Life Bridge can be apart of the prayer. The focus is to start helping them to spend their time and energy on the individual as a shepherd more and not as much on the tasks.

Landscaping season coming to an end
The past couple of weeks the work with the landscaping company has been coming to a slow crawl with work. I've stuck with it but I am looking for work during the winter to get me through. I've applied for a job with In Touch Pharmaceuticals and have an interview next Monday. My job would be to deliver medicine to individuals and other pharmacies. So I would be kind of a drug dealer but the good kind. I am still keeping my job with AEC to work at the power plants because that's more worth my time but my overall goal is to make enough to support my living expenses to continue develop into others and Life Bridge. It's been interesting going down this road to do this but it has allowed for some good relationships to be built and priorities to be examined along the way. I appreciate the relationships I do have a lot more and the ones not yet made. This process also makes me question and wonder what's in store for this coming year. If there is more to what the intentional leadership network brings I will focus my time building into others. Within the next few months, if something more comes into fruition I will look to find support individually and locally to cover my financial provisions.

Community Group Block Party
This afternoon the two community groups that I've been apart of hosted a block party at the Elmhurst house. There were a number of things that went right today. Our goal with the block party was to meet some of our neighbors that we wouldn't normally have met typically any given day. Even many of our neighbors met each other for the first time or actually got to sit down and have an actual conversation not in passing. With our fenced in lots and garages that we can pull into without even seeing our neighbors this was a great opportunity to break down those walls and meet the people we live next to. Over 40 plus people came over to have some lunch and play yard games together. Below are some pictures from the party and the link here.

August Update

2010-08-21T20:24:00.000-07:00

Since the beginning of the summer it’s been quite busy for me:
● The landscaping job has kept me hard at it and worn out by the end of the day.
● I’ve been running roughly 20-30 miles a week to train for the Chicago Marathon in October (17 miles, the most I’ve ever ran, today!).
● For the past 3 weeks I’ve been traveling back and forth to Mt. Pleasant, TX for a job with Acoustic Emissions Consulting. One of the weeks, I was able to fly into Houston, TX for a weekend to visit Kris. He’s doing well in his job but told me it gets a bit lonely. He is still interested in planting a House Church but not on his own. He is currently going to his sisters church, which he tells me is a bit big and gets lost in the crowd.
● 4 weeks ago our House Church made the decision to branch out into two different locations. Since then it’s been great to see the different type of leaders come out and be who they are in the body. This has also been a good teaching moment about the body and why it’s so important to let Jesus lead as the head.
● The Tuesdays that I spend building relationships and praying with the staff of Life bridge has been very helpful. This past week I met up with one of the “evangelists” in our House Church to talk about a House Church Network. The idea is to provide the necessary resources of equipping and encouragement for those interested in being sent to start new House Churches. With an assessment strategy from Alan Hirsch’s APEST (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Shepherds, Teachers) test and an online community to be connected wherever the Spirit takes us geographically. This will certainly need some prayer.
● Last weekend while there was construction being done along the sidewalk outside the church building, two huge rainstorms came through and flooded out the basement which is where the church gathers. We were already planning on doing some renovation but not to this scale. You take a look here for a video of the damage.
● For the past 10 days our church has had a booth at the Porter County Fair allowing kids to pull a sucker from a board and win a small prize. It’s been a good opportunity to meet new people and introduce ourselves to people all over Porter County. Last weekend we had the opportunity to host our church gathering Sunday at the fair for anyone to come and join us. This worked out perfectly since we were flooded in the basement. They also allowed us to meet there today!
● My mom found out a couple of weeks ago that her house is being foreclosed on. She had until this weekend to move out before it’s being auctioned off on the 3rd. She did find a place to move to and is in good spirits about the whole situation. Please pray for wisdom and wise choices to be made.
● I started playing soccer with the community parks league to meet some new people in the community. It’s been a good time and hopefully will lead to some new relationships. Please pray for that.
● Please also pray that I will continue to persevere where I’m at. It can be discouraging sometimes and a bit frustrating. My heart is not always pouring out God’s love and it can seem hopeless or even comfortable to be this way. Please pray that God will surround me with some present “great cloud of witnesses” to encourage and live the life with. Thank you for your love and support! josh

DNA revealed.

2010-04-24T15:18:00.000-07:00

Today I was thinking that it’d be a good thing to tell you guys about what we’re trying to plant into our house churches. I’ve mentioned before about the DNA (Divine Authority, Nurturing Relationships, and Apostolic Mission) that is the core of our church. Simplified it means that we are a church that wants to: become like Jesus, care like Jesus and be sent like Jesus. It’s definitely not in sequential order by any means and if you take one out or focus on one more than the others, it’s just not the church.

Divine Authority (Being like Jesus)

Each week when we get together we’ve been going through the book of John. We just landed on John and stuck with it. When I or anyone else leads the discussion we try to make it a point to see what the passage is telling us as followers of Christ in light of the DNA. How are we becoming transformed? How are we caring for one another and building each other up? How are being sent into the world like Jesus? There’s definitely a lot that the bible has to say about this considering it’s at the heart of the church.

Nurturing Relationships (Caring for people like Jesus)

You can’t make anyone be nice. Even if you threatened with a spanking it wouldn’t be true. By fostering an environment that cares for each other by just doing it is the way to go. Just as we strive to become like Jesus it is a byproduct of a transformed life. This also helps when we purposefully build into each other. Trying to help others be better than yourself. Not only does this happen in our community when we gather together but it happens all the time.

Apostolic Mission (Being sent into the world like Jesus)

We believe that Jesus was sent into the world to restore all creation back to Him. As followers of Jesus we strive to partner with God in this mission. This past month with the Easter dinner and a food drive for the Food Bank we had the chance to practice that. As we care for and build into each other it doesn’t stop there. We’re always thinking about who it is we’re being sent to. As far as leadership goes, it doesn’t rely heavily on a lead pastor or minister but the whole community that has Christ as the head of the church. So as we seek to send people out they are DNA planters that carry the church with them.

This past weekend we had a great time celebrating with God. Brian, Amy, and Kris were baptized in Lake Michigan. FREEZING! It was awesome. Even Kim who was baptized a few months back had the chance to baptize Amy. So the life cycle continues building into one another.

click the link for pics!

pain.

2010-02-20T17:28:00.000-08:00

Ahh. The paradox continues. It has been exactly 7 months since July that I haven't been employed by Life Bridge. Just as I went downstairs to get my phone I remembered the ache that had been in my hip for quite some time. It's gone now but it makes me think about Jacob wrestling with God. When I had that constant pain it reminded me of that story. My time of wrestling has since went away, as with the pain, from me but i do feel as though it has shifted to a wandering period now. I've expressed that I feel a lack of purpose, or direction for that matter, in my life that just doesn't sit right with me. The work I have been doing, hasn't filled that purpose but it has provided.

Should I be content?

Should I still continue to praise God or dare to ask for more?

Dare! Dare I say!

That is what fills my head. I desire more, not just provision but more purpose, more intentional drive of my being, of the way I'm wired. To challenge me to be a more deliberate leader, empowering others to do just the same.

How? swims around my head, far and in various ways because there is much room in there.

Wandering in the wilderness. Tempted. By sin and the lure to be my own god.

If Jesus were leading and living my life, where would he go from here? To the people, my mind says, but stick closely to your Father. He will show you...

Guide me Spirit of Truth. Grant me wisdom for I have too many brown hairs! Ha. Take me from this wilderness and guide me to a path of purpose. I see your still waters but that is my refuge. Lead me there if you may but light a fire that shows me boldness and light of your Kingdom.

Wrong About Church Buildings 2 | Out of Ur | Conversations for Ministry Leaders

2009-12-17T15:12:00.000-08:00

you should read this article about church buildings. It's a good one! I've personally wrestled with the idea of church buildings since it's been a blessing and a burden. We opened our doors as a church in September 2003 without the hassle of setting up and tearing down as a typical church plant would do. We've had the opportunity to regularly meet bi-weekly since that time. It's allowed us to provide classes and a meeting place for pre-marital counseling and other great things. Being a full time staff member up until July of this year I can see that it can be a burden. Would I still be a paid staff member if we weren't in a building? Not sure. But the rent and utilities does add up along with paying for projectors, sound system, children's and student ministry programs, etc. Does this limit the opportunity to help those in our community with serious needs? Maybe. Read these articles and i'd like to hear your thoughts on them as well!

A few weeks ago, pastor and author Dan Kimball posted an interesting entry here about church buildings. In the introduction, he notes that eight years ago he would have said, “Who needs a building? The early church didn’t have buildings, and we don’t need them either!” Today, however, he notes that he was wrong.

I think he still is.

Here is my official response to Dan Kimball.

click the link to read more... Wrong About Church Buildings 2 | Out of Ur | Conversations for Ministry Leaders

URGENT: PLEASE FORWARD TO EVERYONE!

2009-12-15T10:30:00.000-08:00

by Keith Giles

DISCLAIMER: Please read the following article VERY CAREFULLY before you do anything
at all. There is more going on here than meets the eye. You have been forewarned. -

URGENT!
As most of us are aware, Christians today need to be more vigilant than ever before.

This is why what I am about to tell you is SO CRITICAL for each of us. I'm tempted to ask everyone to forward this to EVERYONE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK right away. (Especially if you "really" love Jesus).

What I'm about to tell you is SO ALARMING, it could seriously threaten Church in America forever!

NEW LEGISLATION
There is new legislation in motion, at the earliest possible stage, which I need to let everyone know about now before it gets out of our control.

First, many of you are already aware that there are forces out there that threaten to take away the non-profit status of Christian Churches in America whenever messages of a political nature are delivered from the pulpit. As desperate as this is, there is a new development brewing now that is EVEN WORSE.

There are people who want to propose legislation that would challenge the non-profit status of any Christian Church simply based on whether or not that Church actually gives a significant percentage of its funds back to the community, as most other "non-religious" non-profits are required to do.

WHAT THIS MEANS is that your church could be in DANGER OF LOSING ITS NON-PROFIT STATUS simply because little of the tithe money goes to help out those poor families who live around the community. EVEN IF THEY DON'T ATTEND YOUR CHURCH!

Of course, there are plenty of churches in America that do care for the poor in their community. They pass out free groceries, they provide free oil changes for single Moms, they host after-school programs for kids in the area at no-charge, etc. Churches who are already "giving back" to the community in this way and serving others the way Jesus would would have NOTHING TO FEAR!

However, if a church in the community were to spend 70%, 80%, or even 99% of its tithe on ITSELF, it would be in danger of losing that non-profit status and would have to pay taxes JUST LIKE ALL OTHER LARGE CORPORATIONS.

This means that a church spending most of the tithe for salaries, or a new building, or the new flat-screen plasma televisions for the announcements in the nursery, or the Starbucks Coffee bar at the back of the Church, or the new carpet, etc., would have to justify their non-profit status on the basis of whether or not they were actually performing any actual "service" to the poor around them. If they couldn't demonstrate a tangible connection between their church and the community around them, their NON-PROFIT STATUS would be REVOKED FOREVER!

REGARDLESS OF THE FACT that Matthew 25 suggests that Jesus takes our concern for the outcast seriously, this attack on the non-profit status of our big, fat American churches is just NOT FAIR!

We've earned the right to collect as many hundreds of thousands of dollars as we like in the name of Jesus and it should be totally up to us how we spend that money. Especially if it's for our OWN NEEDS, WANTS AND DESIRES.

Just because we're not really involved in the needs of the poor around us, the Church SHOULDN'T BE PUNISHED IN THIS WAY.

Regardless of the fact that the Church in America HAS THE POWER and the ECONOMIC RESOURCES necessary provide affordable housing, long-term community development, and primary health care to everyone who needs it, the US Government should NOT be the one to force this upon us through legal means. That should be left up to a Higher Power.

Even though Universal primary education would cost $8 billion a year, which is about half of what parents in the US will spend THIS YEAR on TOYS FOR THEIR OWN CHILDREN, this has nothing to do with those of us who are called by the name of the One who humbled Himself and surrendered His life to demonstrate the compassion of God to the World, and especially to the least and the lost.

So, if you want to protect your church from this kind of judgement, I urge you to write to your pastors, your elders, your deacons and your church leaders and let them know how you feel about this very serious issue that faces the modern Church in America.

We, the Church in America, are dangerously close to the SIN OF SODOM!

Do you know what the Sin of Sodom is? Read Ezekiel 16: 49:

"Now this is the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were proud and did detestable things before me. Therefore, I did away with them as you have seen."

Obviously, the issue facing the Church in America today is WAY MORE SERIOUS THAN SIMPLY OUR NON-PROFIT STATUS! If the Church were to rise up and spend their money this way, THAT WOULD BE AN AWESOME THING, and yes, a lot of people would probably stop calling us HYPOCRITES and maybe they'd take us seriously when we tell them that Jesus loves them, because we've demonstrated that (just maybe) we love them too.

As you may have guessed, this legislation IS TOTALLY FICITIOUS! I have made up the entire thing with the help of my good friend Jarred Romley who first suggested the concept to me.

I couldn't resist mimicking the style of those alarmist Christian email messages we all get forwarded telling us that we must send it on to everyone we have ever known in order to prove our love for Jesus. Please, also forgive me for all the CAPITAL LETTERS I USED!

Seriously, I think if my friend Jarred were to introduce a Bill like this one to our Congress it might put a fire under our churches to wake up and realize that their Bibles are full of commands to care for the outcast, the poor, and the needy who are all around them. If nothing else, it would create an amazing open dialog in the media between the leaders of the Church, the members of the community, and the man on the street about issues of compassion, Christian charity, and the calling of Jesus to care for the poor as we would care for Him. (see Matthew 25)

Until that legislation comes to pass, I will have to resort to stunts like this to try to wake people up and realize that God's heart is for the poor and that He has taken this issue very seriously.

The truth is, the idea of their church losing its non-profit status is more likely to spur Christians to action than the fact that there are thousands of homeless, and poverty-stricken human beings suffering a few blocks from their front door.

"He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?"- GOD, speaking of King Josiah in Jeremiah 22:16

Keith Giles

Big love in November.

2009-12-07T15:28:00.000-08:00

This past month was full of love. But before we got to November Life Bridge has been preparing to do great things. It started this past summer when our student ministry took a trip to Holland, Michigan for the CIY MOVE conference. This year at the conference \the students were challenged to go out and MOVE in the kingdom of God and serve something more than themselves.
This year, sealed envelopes were handed out which contained cards with a mission written on it. Those with an envelope were asked to pray about it and asked NOT to open the envelope unless they were sure that they were going to complete the mission God had called them to do.
Adults could grab an envelope, but were not compelled to. Jeni Bolton, who has been working with me as a Sr. High Youth Leader, grabbed one. It read:

500 TURKEYS

Organize a food drive for Thanksgiving this year. Make it your goal to raise enough food and funds to feed 500 families.

The goal was to raise 500 turkeys but she took it way past that. She was able to raise enough money and other donations to provide 500 turkey dinners including all the fixins’ for Thanksgiving. You can read more about the process and the organization of it all at www.500Turkeys.com and in the local newspaper here http://www.post-trib.com/news/neighbors/1905063,01n5001126.article.

All the while this was happening, our community group that meets at my house felt compelled to raise some funds for the Rapha House. The Rapha House is committed to rescuing young girls who are victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and prostitution. They provide these young girls a safe home to heal; receive an education; and to empower them to make good life choices.

Our community group thought about all the ways we could go about in raising funds and awareness and landed on the idea to put a race together. Since a few of us are active runners we were able to start spreading the word about it to our running circles. We were able to work with the guys who run the timing to organize a 5K run/walk and 10 mile race. The race was able to raise almost $2000 to help the Rapha House. With over 100 runners we were able to promote awareness and rally together around mission and justice. You can read more about it at www.rapharace.com and in the local newspaper here http://www.post-trib.com/news/neighbors/1878115,01nwoycik1112.article.

Valparaiso may not seem so diverse of a city but if you look close enough, you can see many sub-cultures dwelling within it. We have commuters traveling to Chicago via the train or car. Local business owners making a buck or none. Veterans of the steel mills. Farmers growing and maintaining their crops. Local and out of state students attending V.U., PNC or Ivy Tech. The economic balance within the city is askew and you'll see pockets of racial diversity as well. Just a few blocks south of Life Bridge "the Hill" is known for it's poverty and low-income housing.

As Christians we're called to be sent out into our hurting world and join God in the renewal of all things. Bearing the image of the invisible God, being His Ambassadors, called to peace, mercy and love. Just as Jesus was sent, so are we.

As we recognize the diversity in Valparaiso we also need to recognize who it is we're being sent to. We are to do this by engaging our culture (in the world) without being absorbed by the culture (of the world.) This means we need to tear down our private fences and open up opportunities to know and love our neighbors.

Our mission exists for that purpose: to engage our culture with the image of the invisible God building relationships that transform lives. Each community is unique as is the diversity Valpo has to offer. But at her core are the Word of God and a nurturing community building each other up. When we rally together around mission you see God at work in our community and outward, even to Cambodia.

Planting the Gospel extended.

2009-11-21T21:20:00.001-08:00

Last weekend we had the chance to take 8 of our high school students to Obsession which is a retreat directed to go deeper into God’s Word and hear what it means to be more Obsessed with Christ. Megan, who I talked about in my last update, was able to be there. Me and my roommate (Scott Hansen) had to drive up late due to work and missed the opening session. We were able to catch up with everyone later that night and I had the chance to talk to, or err…brush by a pass of words that really didn’t make sense from Megan. I wasn’t able to have a chat with her until the next evening after Scott’s teaching. I saw her sitting alone by herself with her head between her hands just sitting there. So I took the opportunity to catch up with her and see what she murmured the night before. What she had said that night was, “it’s frustrating.” I asked her what she meant by that and she goes on to tell me that she’s not hearing the answer she wants to hear. She has some background of abuse and she’s carrying it around all by herself. The struggle she’s fighting is laying it before God and forgiving the person involved. What a heavy battle!

I didn’t say much but really listened to her fight. She knows what God wants her to do but she doesn’t want to surrender. Just reflecting back on this, how many times do we act before we really hear or listen to what God is calling us to do. Later that night I saw a different Megan. She was dancing, laughing and hanging out with some girls from the other church. I heard that she danced so much that she had to go back to the dorms to shower cause she was sweating so much.

I hadn’t talked to her since then until this afternoon. As I was getting ready to take a precious nap I got a random text from Megan. She asked me if I was moving soon. I had told the students of my plans of starting another church and partially why I’m not the student minister anymore is because of those plans. I asked her why she was wandering this and she replied back with, “i dnt want u to go.” That floored me. I told her I really appreciated that and it reaffirmed why I’m still here in Valpo.

Sometimes we can get so consumed by our future plans that we miss the opportunities that are right in front of us. I pray this won’t get the best of me and I see those who God has put in front of me to love and show mercy to. Please continue to pray for Megan’s battle. Pray those hurting in Valpo. Pray for the Rapha Race that’s coming up this weekend. (I will give you an update next month about the Rapha Race. It’s a 10 mile/5K run to benefit the Rapha House.)

following the mission.

2009-11-08T22:04:00.000-08:00

Rick, Nate and myself went to a conference a couple weeks ago called Story. It was intended to remind pastors and teachers about the greatest Story ever told. One of the speakers there asked the audience something that was so great that I want to ask you guys. Turn to the person next to you and I want you to share your deepest darkest sin to that person. Do that now.

Okay so you don’t have to. That more than likely made you feel quite uneasy. But if I asked you to turn to the person next to you and share with them your relationship with Jesus, for some of you, it’s almost like sharing your deepest darkest sin. We’ve talked about some pretty heavy stuff this weekend. For some of you it’s gone in one ear and out the other and for others the Word of God really kicked you in the heart.

Every year we talk about becoming Obsessed with God and following Jesus. When we leave here some of us forget the Obsessed part and for others the whole Jesus part about being a Christian. Rick talked about being covered in the dust of our Rabi, that we need to walk in the way of Christ. This is summed up in the great commandment of Loving God and Loving your neighbor. That we need to cast down our idols that come before loving God and rethink who our neighbor is and how can we love our enemies.

When it comes to loving our God and neighbor as our agenda, as the top priority of the way we live our lives, this is when we see the Missio Dei. This is the mission of God. Or even better, the God of mission. Just as Jesus was sent from God into the world to restore it back to Him we also have that mission to partner with Him.

This has been God’s plan since mankind has been separated from Him. When we look at God’s plan through Israel we see our own.

Gen 12:1-3

John 1:17

John 20:21-23

The basic missional charge, the sending of the disciples by Jesus, the sent one. Yet notice that Jesus did not send his followers out unequipped for this mission. He breathed on them, giving the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is the Spirit who forms and shapes us as individuals and believers. The Spirit at work in us produces the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). The Spirit at work through us produces the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12-14). The Spirit alive in us forms us to be more like Christ in our personal lives and in our communities.

Parable of the Good Muslim – Samaritan

Dallas Willard – The Divine Conspiracy - The story does not teach that we can have eternal life just by loving our neighbor. We cannot get away with that nice legalism either. . . . But in God’s order nothing can substitute for loving people. And we define who our neighbor is by our live. We make a neighbor of someone by caring for him or her. . . .

Jesus deftly rejects the question, “Who is my neighbor?” and substitutes the only question really relevant here: “To whom will I be a neighbor?” And he knows that we can only answer this question case by case as we got through our days. In the morning we cannot yet know who our neighbor will be that day. The condition of our hearts will determine who along our path turns out to be our neighbor, and our faith in God will largely determine who we have strength enough to make our neighbor.

Isa 42:6-9

Isa 61:1-3

Luke 4:16-21

Planting the Gospel.

2009-11-05T18:47:00.001-08:00

This past weekend at the teen service we had a very intense lesson about God’s righteousness and mercy. Starting with small groups, the teens were asked to look up certain scriptures that talk about justification, mercy, righteousness, truth, holiness and love. Each small group has its own flavor from their leaders guiding the discussion. Beth and Erik who are just recently engaged have started helping out leading worship and a small group with high school students. They’ve had their own struggles with church but have been wanting to get more involved.

One of the girls in their group was Megan. She’s been coming for almost a year now but just tagging along with her sister. Rarely talks in the group and doesn’t really relate to anyone in the student ministry. She’ll come in, find a place all by herself and wait for the service to be over. She’s very short answered to anyone who tries to have a conversation with her and is fine with just being, alone.

During the discussion in their small group while reading the Bible, things just clicked in all the right ways. From the stories of Eric and Beth to the discussion from the other teens, things got very emotional. While the others in the group had their eyes reopened to the Gospel, for Megan it was like for the first time. In the groups they were using object lessons to relate to those big words like justification and righteousness. During the main lesson, Traci, the family minister, was teaching and asked the students what they got from the discussion. While some of the students were distracted by other things, other than the lesson, for Megan, she spoke. Everyone stopped what they were doing and listened as she explained how the thermometer shows how much God loves her. She described that the “red stuff” when it gets closer to the “light” rises and it’s like us when we get closer to God.

There are plenty of times that when we read or hear God’s Word it goes in one ear and out the other. Megan heard what God is communicating in His Gospel. It reminds me that when we set out to start Life Bridge we weren’t trying to plant a church. What we’re striving to do is plant the Gospel into the hearts of those in this world who are alone like Megan. I’d love to say that Megan instantly became included in the student ministry, but there are plenty of us who fail to hear that Word from God. This coming weekend we’re taking some of the students in the group to a retreat called Obsession. It’s a time to get away from the norm and become obsessed with God. Megan is still considering whether she’ll go or not.

individual community.

2009-11-02T20:55:00.000-08:00

what makes an individual healthy and the same for community groups. When gauging whether a group is healthy or not, there needs to be standards as to which to be held accountable to. Each for the individual, small group and church body. This is at the core of the wholeness to the body of Christ. So each group should be held accountable to these "standards." Not that they should be judged or deemed unhealthy but it should be the drive towards in the hopes they should be more and more like the body of Christ. I think that the next iConnect would be a great time to cast this vision of what each group should drive towards. Right now there are 3-4 things that are at the heart of the individual and the community of being the body of Christ. Transformation, Connection, and Movement. All encompassing the surrender to Worship God with our whole lives. I know this is a dump but it is really at the forefront of my thoughts and passion to see lives transformed through community.

missional community dna

2009-11-01T18:38:00.000-08:00

This has been something that's been growing and developing within me for quite some time. When looking at the missional communities, the merging of community happens when it's centered around being sent. The purpose that it has of going into the community to restore it back to God is the uniting mission that draws people together in community. At the core of the group is the DNA. The DNA is the lifeblood of what Jesus was about and this is what the church should reflect.

The D in DNA stand for Divine Truth. This is the transformation into the likeness of Christ through God's Word. This truth is a major strand of the DNA. Jesus is the divine truth. Jesus said, "I am the... truth" (John 14:16). No one can come to the Father except through him. When we bear this truth in our lives it leads to loving communities with purpose and mission, which are the rest of the DNA. The transformation of the Truth is at the heart of worship (Romans 12:1).

N in DNA stands for nurturing relationships. This is a continual building into each other of love, mercy and joy. Being a self-pastoral community the needs are met from the community not just one person pastoring the church. "Love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay his life down for his friends. You are my friends" (John 15:12-14).

A in DNA stands for Apostolic Mission. Just as Jesus was sent into the world to restore all things back to Him (John 3:16) so are we to join him in this mission. "As the Father sent me, I am sending you" (John 20:21). The DNA does not function in linear fashion. Working together, the Divine Truth is flowing into Apostolic Mission (Acts 1:8). Apostolic Mission is propelled by Nurturing Relationships. (John 13:35). Being together in Nurturing Relationships drives one another toward a unified Mission.

Pretty much this is Neil Cole's book Organic Community summed up. Not only does this serve as a drive from mission it is at the heart of the church. This can be compared to the Tangible Kingdom of Communion, Mission and Community. Then again it can be applied to Rick Warren's 5 purposes of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism. Not matter what scale you're at these purposes are at the individual to the corporate. But it starts with the individual first.

what a weekend.

2009-09-07T22:34:00.000-07:00

So i'm not sure the exact location of this place but i would have to say that this has been one of the most interesting weekends in quite some time. Interesting from the sorts of company. we're (scott, nikki and myself) hanging out with a dude named rick. he's been with us at our small group for the past few months. we're at his grandparents trailer by some lake in north webster, in. All i know is that we're east from valpo. Along the way we stopped by the blueberry festival in plymouth, in and i didn't see one blueberry.
Thinking we're going to a lake house, by no means am i demeaning where we're at, but this not exactly what we had in mind. Rick is a very interesting character. he's a married man with a 7 year old and was looking forward to this weekend for quite some time. Looking to "get away from it all" with us. Now i'm thinking, "why in the world would he want to get away with us?"
I can tell he's looking for his "roots" but has quite some opposition. By inviting us out to his "lake house" he's looking to us for his spiritual life. His wife has been calling nonstop and is pretty dang crazy when he drinks. I love him to death but it's been challenging for me.
Just like i've noticed the comfortability from being in the ministry (maybe another conversation) it seems thats where we are now. Being away from drama and all the things that make life comfortable, this is quite the opposite. The only way that we're able to be out here with rick is because his wife vouched for us as being "bible humpers." lol. No joke.
So we've been out here for a day, we've fished, napped and watched family guy and had some great conversation and still, what we had in mind is beyond what we had in mind.
I am definately glad that we came out. I believe this is exactly what God has in store for us in the future. What i had in mind when we came out here was comfortability. When it comes to partnering with God in restoring all things back to Him it shouldn't or doesn't necessarily mean that things are going to be comfortable. It goes against everything God had in mind in the beginning of time.
So, for the point of this not being exactly the way i thought things would be, i'm glad we are here. And now for some more family guy.rick is awesome

Missio Dei

2009-08-14T00:35:00.000-07:00

From: Josh Epperson <joshua.leeland@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, August 14, 2009 2:29 AM
To: go@blogger.com
Subject: Missio Dei

Being sent into the world just as Jesus was sent. God is already there no matter where you go. Partnering with God in restoring everything back to work Him. When entering new environment and culture we should look to see what God is already doing or see who the oppressed are that are crying out to Him.

time to slow.

2009-07-30T11:26:00.000-07:00

so i've been packing my schedule quite tight for the past few months and it's time to slow down. more than likely i think God is or has been all this time trying to get my attention. as though the sound has finally caught up to me and the words coming screaming by halting me to walk. just like a safety patrolman.

actually it came about due to achilles tendonitis. (thanks webmd) somehow i just either didn't stretch enough or just ran on it wrong playing softball on tuesday. i was also training to run the chicago marathon. that didn't last long. i got up to 10 miles though and kris' leg started hurting.

maybe there are more ways that God was tryin to slow me down. it almost sounds negative. especially in our culture today. but i think i'm missin quite more by zoomin on.

it's been this way for the past 6 years with life bridge. not that the fast paced progression hasn't had any positive effect, cause it has, but it's been too constant. particularly in all the roles i've played here. children's. students. families. communities. developing programs. tweeking programs. people coming and going. equipping leaders. just going everywhere oh so quickly.

slow.

sssssssssssssssssssssssloooooooooooooooooooooow.

discovering and escaping liturgy. by Dan Kimball

2009-04-03T10:01:00.000-07:00

For years I served on the staff of a megachurch with a very contemporary style of worship. We had a state-of-the-art sound system, large video projection screens, pop-rock music, and a sophisticated lighting system. The worship services were programmed to the minute: predetermined transitions, upbeat intro songs, announcements backed with PowerPoint slides, sermons crafted with felt-need application points, and abundant video clips.

The church was growing as several thousand people connected with the presentations each week. But at the same time the church was thriving with one generation, I began to notice that younger adults were not engaging as well as their parents. So I began listening to these young people to discover why they were not resonating with this way of doing church.

I repeatedly heard that they were longing for something less "programmed." At the same time, I began hearing questions about "liturgy," a word I'd never heard before. I was not raised in the church, and my only church experiences at the time had been at an organ-led Baptist church and the megachurch where I was on staff. Even in seminary, I had never been taught about liturgy (literally, the "work of the people") or ancient forms of worship. And ministry conferences I attended only seemed concerned with the newest, cutting-edge trends.

my apologies.

2009-03-31T09:43:00.001-07:00

So last night what I was trying to communicate about what Jesus was doing through the miracles found in Mark was totally wrong. I just wanted to clarify that so you can know that it was I that messed and not the Bible.

And how much more beautiful does it show through the book of John. Especially when he starts his book with the same words from Genesis that the Jews have been hearing for quite some time... "In the beginning..." And the rhythm begins. The beauty of it all starts there for all to join in the song. Not only would they recognize familiarity from of being naked and unashamed but they would also remember what they have been called to do since Abraham... to be a blessing to all nations. As John talks about Jesus and the miracles he's done, it continues the song but you can tell that it's building up. The song is coming to a point where all feelings and emotions will be moved, not just to listen but to get up, move your legs around and dance. The missio dei is to restore all things back to Him. This is what God wants and does this through the sending of Jesus Christ. This is also our mandate from Jesus himself. As Jesus was sent, so are we. And the song continues...

missional community @ life bridge... it's a start.

2009-03-27T14:08:00.000-07:00

we are called to empower one more to walk together with God. this is ultimately a calling from Jesus himself. not only is it the mission of Jesus but from the Father. joining God in His redemptive story of rescuing His people. the pinnacle of this was the incarnation of Jesus. the life of Jesus (not only death and resurrection) is at the core of the incarnation. God taught how to live here and now on earth as it is in heaven. this is the life we're empowered to walk in. since the Father gave this mandate to His Son, this is also out mandate. we see this as the transformative agenda Jesus lived his life. just as Jesus was sent, so are we.

Mission takes place where the church, in its total involvement with the world, bears its testimony in the form of a servant, with reference to unbelief, exploitation, discrimination and violence, but also with reference to salvation, healing, liberation, reconciliation and righteousness... Looked at from this perspective mission is, quite simply, the participation of Christians in the liberating mission of Jesus, wagering on a future that verifiable experience seems to belie. It is the good news of God's love, incarnated in the witness of a community, for the sake of the world.

David Bosch - Transforming Mission, 519

dot dot dot...

2009-03-20T11:17:00.001-07:00

As we recognize the diversity in Valparaiso we also nee to recognize who it is we're being sent to. We are to do this by engaging our culture (in the world) without being absorbed by the culture (of the world.) This means we need to tear down our private fences and open up opportunities to know and love our neighbors.

Our missional villages exist for that purpose: to engage our culture with the image of the invisible God building relationships that transform lives. Each village is unique as is the diversity Valpo has to offer. But at her core are the Word of God and a nurturing village building each other up...

revelation.

2009-03-18T10:58:00.001-07:00

it's all about Jesus.

leadership.

2009-03-03T07:40:00.001-08:00

so i've been reading for the past couple weeks the book Organic Leadership by Neil Cole. Creating a church movement that spreads like a virus, creating an epidemic that reveals the Kingdom of God. Becoming an organism that is alive and moves fluidly whichever direction it naturally flows. There are three things that never change which is it's DNA.

Divine Truth. Nurtering Relationships. Apostolic Mission.

Organizational leadership is designed for one person to make decisions for all and delegate mission to those under the authority. Christ is always the head of the church. This is where all the functions and authority come from.

So I was thinking about what this would look like. I was thinking about the other people who have decided to become "full time" ministers. Those of us who get paid either to teach God's Word or some who put programs together to help the church function. (just some light cynicism, nothing to be concerned about.) In the church, those who attend services or are part of the body look to the title or positions held as authority. Mostly the people will follow the leaders even if they don't know the person or aren't even passionate themselves about where their going.

So what if the goal was to get rid of paid positions and titles in the church? What would that look like? The head would be Christ totally and all decisions would be made solely to bring God's Kingdom here on Earth. The body, with all different parts, becomes passionate about doing things that suit their purpose. All programs that exist are ran by people who have the same passions. The church wouldn't come together to vote, but come together to be and exist and move and bring light to a dark world.

truly incarnational.

2009-01-27T13:11:00.000-08:00

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. 2 Corinthians 4:10-11

As we remember Christ, just as through the eucharist, we remember that we become Christ. Rob Bell says in Jesus wants to Save Christians that the "given over" is important here. Paul is speaking of the healing in the world and how when we identify with the suffering of our neighbor and we commit ourselves to doing something about it, it will cost us something.

So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you. 2 Corinthians 4:12

That's how the eucharist works. For someone to receive, someone has to give... the church is the living eucharist.

church marketing.

2009-01-20T07:23:00.000-08:00

i at first liked the idea of marketing. coming up with creative ideas to sell your product. i think i just liked the creative part. i am just not comfortable trying to "push" the church or Jesus on someone. i was trying to think of any organizations or business' that don't advertise or spend any money trying to get people to buy their product. there aren't many.

does the church try to "push" itself into people's lives because the product is not that good? what happens when you sell and it doesn't live up to the standards that you had to offer? what if we spent our time living it out instead of hyping it up?

weezer - pork and beans.

2008-12-09T08:02:00.001-08:00

if you're a dork like me you'll recognize the references to the viral videos.

new christ-mas.

2008-11-17T12:25:00.000-08:00

i'd love to see where we go this year. in the past all i believe we have gone is to ourselves. the only thing we've done, and not to downplay it, was last year we cleaned out our closets and gave our coats. We were able to collect over 40 coats which was awesome. I know it takes time to think if you have an extra coat and maybe a little more to actually look and then bring it to church but what if this year we moved.

We're looking to collect 50 coats and blankets this year for a couple homeless shelters. That's nice. no, truly, it's a beautiful thing. But we also have the hope that we can make a difference in the lives of two people who work with Scott at OE. If everyone in the student and college ministry gave a present to each of these guys, that would be an awesome Christ-mas. With the love feast and the party for these guys from OE, it's gonna be awesome.

inadequate.

2008-11-11T10:46:00.000-08:00

the more i come to know the call and will of G-d, the more and more i feel inadequate. especially since i have come into a position where Jesus instructs Peter to "feed my sheep," there the call resonates in my ears as well. are we to create an environment where the yoke is hard work and the burden is heavy or dwell in the freedom that comes through Christ?

so where does my inadequacy lead into the role i am in today? it dwells in my conscience. being the body of Christ - just what the eucharist is meant to be - we're called to be the hands and feet, the sacrifice, the temple to a world in darkness.

my heart cries out for those who miss it. many christians miss it. they miss the freedom that's to come because of Christ's blood. (ephesians 2:12-13) they miss the calling that we have in the Kingdom.

how are we to live in a Kingdom that burdens the sheep? how are we to be the ones creating the burdens because the sheep listen to us? where is the freedom that comes from that? it's almost as though we're just helping them hop from slave ship to another slave ship, just covering the name on the boat that makes them think they are free.

i do not have a clear conscience. at this moment i am inadequate.

Thy Kingdome Come

2008-10-24T14:37:00.001-07:00

Thy Kingdome Come

Posted using ShareThis

new church.

2008-10-23T09:00:00.000-07:00

so it seems that church is changing, which is a good thing, with the culture. someone once told me that the church today is more healthy than it has ever been, even the first church seen in Acts. It made me think. I know that we miss the point today but did they a couple thousand years ago? You can read in the Peters and elsewhere the Christians fleeing to exile for fear of persecution and maybe to get away from the Empires at hand. The thing that I see today is that the Christians have become comfortable with the empire at hand. Well at least in America anyway. What makes America any different from the Babylon portrayed in Revelations who is a dirty whore? Enough bashing the bride. The church is the temple in which God dwells. We are to live in His Spirit which are His fruits. With love, justice and mercy. Forgiving and retaining sins. And following where the Spirit leads we need to humbly live among the whore and be a light in this dark world.

remember that...

2008-10-23T08:53:00.000-07:00

...one time when Christians followed Jesus?

today.

2008-10-14T12:48:00.000-07:00

so i watched the nooma video "today" last night with the college community group. rob bell's point was that we need to focus on today and let the past be the past. not to continue to grieve or live in the past, but move on. i would have to say that if i was to put myself in the camp of living in the past it would be the nostalgia of the past. i do look into the past quite a bit. i remember how life was when my parents were together. i remember the summers of my youth. i remember how life was when i didn't have a job. i remember laughing with my friends. I remember places, smells, colors, people, songs and so on. they're both beautiful yet not there anymore. I agree with rob, that we need to move on. but we would not be who we are if we did not have those past experiences. they define us. they help us be who are. the good and the bad. but moving on is the fruit from which those experiences have generated from within. move on indeed.

sweet video from eric wareheim.

2008-10-10T12:04:00.000-07:00

sweet video from the eric of Tim and Eric's awesome show - great job!

truly beautiful.

2008-10-09T11:31:00.000-07:00

And I’m trying to make you sing
From inside where you believe
Like it’s something that you need
Like it means everything

And I’m trying to make you feel that
This is for real, that life is happening
That it means everything
I’m just trying to make you sing.

"The Lark Ascending Or (Perhaps More Acurately, I'm Trying to Make You Sing"

David Crowder

hmm...

2008-10-08T11:56:00.001-07:00

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

we do, we don't.

2008-10-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...

we suck. period.

but now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. there is no difference...

...and are justified freely by his grace though the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

we used to suck. period.

sucking sucks us down, losing the hope for a life.

desire for hope.

2008-09-11T12:15:00.000-07:00

the picture of allowing the Kingdom of God to be living and active sets a hope within me that we can truly be as Israel was for the world in bringing people out of exile and back to God. Jesus reigning as King sets the tone in the way we should live, not as ones raising our swords, or turning to government or tucking our tails in between our legs and running back to exile but of love and mercy and justice. Though this is not the end to which our hope is set upon because He has already risen. He reigns as King in Heaven and soon will restore Earth as it is there.

Peter says that we shouldn't be surprised when we face the trials that will come our way. This desire is not one that many agree with as they are blinded by that which they are blinded by. Just as the desire to be loved... "Do we reach for nothing in life because our reaching opens us up to tragedy? Because of it's vulnerable nature, desire begins to feel like our worst enemy." (from the Journey of Desire) I do believe we choose our own battles. Do we always choose the battles that we will always win? What makes the ones we choose to fight, even though the odds are against, worth fighting? Is it all in vain, knowing that we will fail?

When Jesus said "repent and believe" it was not as we think of today. N.T. Wright says that Jesus wasn't necessarily challenging people to give up sinning and have a religious conversion experience. He was telling his hearers to give up their agendas and to trust him for his way of being Israel, his way of bringing the kingdom, his kingdom-agenda. Jesus wants our whole life. He wants us to align our importance to what's most important. Is it worth it? If we truly listen to and follow where the Spirit is leading, does it mean we should be scared of tragedy? Does this sway our desire to being not as challenging or simple enough that it becomes comfortable.

This extends itself.

Choosing love will open spaces of immense beauty and joy for you, but you will be hurt. You already know this. You have retreated from love countless times in your life because of it. We all have. We have been and will be hurt by the loss of loved ones, by what they have done to us and we to them. Even in the bliss of love there is a certain exquisite pain: the pain of too much beauty, of overwhelming magnificence. Further, no matter how perfect a love may be, it is nevere really satisfied... In both joy and pain, love is boundless. (The Awakened Heart)

Will our desire leave us empty or disappointed?

Do our desires set us up for failure?

Even in the pursuit of "God's Will," are we led to complacency?

tangible kingdom. thank you.

2008-09-05T09:43:00.000-07:00

i want to thank everyone who participated in reading the tangible kingdom with me. it was an interesting adventure especially with all the events that were going on at the same time, nonetheless it was great. knowing now how hard it is to get soo many people reading and reviewing a book... let's do it again!

any suggestions for reading...

tangible kingdom. week four.

2008-08-18T14:38:00.000-07:00

the tangible kingdom. chapters 10-12.

Attractional Approach

Unbeliever is invited to church

Unbeliever confesses belief

Unbeliever repeats a prayer (baptism)

Believer joins church

Cognitive discipleship

Focus: Counting confessions

Believing enables belonging

Incarnational Approach

Sojourner is invited to belong

Sojourner confesses interest

Sojourner experiences the good news

Sojourner participates in community

Experiential apprenticeship

Focus: Transformation

Belonging enables believing

hmm...

as i said before about my dad, he believes but does not follow. i would have to say the same with my mom. one of the biggest reasons why i love the incarnational approach is that i see my mom and dad being who they are in this setting. What i get from them is that if they go to church they feel better about themselves, well my mom anyway. It's like she's back on God's side and not only from my mom do i see this but i see it from many other people. Just because she sacrificed a Sunday of sleeping in or from being with the thousands of animals she loves at home so she can go to church, it's redemption. But not lasting. She'll soon feel guilty about not going and then hit it up a month or so later. She's missing out. The pain and guilt that she bears has been a burden she carries herself. It's hard to see them view the church like this.

tangible kingdom. week three.

2008-08-08T09:38:00.001-07:00

there is very good discussion going on. this past week was the week that i wanted to push some conversation going but some other things got in the way. Had no power at my house for a few days and the church got flooded.

Continue on with the next 3 chapters and hopefully I'll be able to throw in some questions here and there. These next chapters were very intriguing and helped see our culture in a different light!

PREESH!

tangible kingdom. week two.

2008-07-31T13:06:00.000-07:00

thoughts. opinions. ah-hah's. things you know already or agree with...

Chapter 4. U-Haul

What both excites you and scares you about the potential of a new spiritual road trip?

If Jesus were to trim down your Christian experience to his essentials, what would he remove? what would be left?

Chapter 5. Moving Violations

As you think about the church engaging the world with more than just tweaks, what expectations do you need to change, delete, or embrace?

Chapter 6. Posture

How are you willing to advocate for people while they live lives that are in opposition to the way of Christ?

If you you no longer use words to communicate the gospel, what would you do?

not to be biased about some great stuff but i believe "Posture" has the potential for some extra discussion. Let me hear your views.

tangible kingdom. week one. take two.

2008-07-24T08:06:00.000-07:00

well i have talked with most of you and it seems as though the books don't travel quickly. so, for those of you who do have your books, i'd like to hear your thoughts. for those of you waiting we'll act as thought this is the first week and on Thursday of next week we'll go over chapters 4-6.

if you have any questions let me know.

one thing that seems to stick out in the book for me has been from the 3rd chapter. there was a guy who wrote a letter to Hugh and was telling about his struggles in the church. that he feels that an old pastor like him isn't relevant anymore and is trying to catch up with the times. Hugh's comment about the letter and many other places throughout the book is that they are all very well needed. They are the foundational pieces for the movements of change that have been happening in the church. They are the ones who have shown us Christ. They are the ones that have helped us the Kingdom.

tangible kingdom. week one.

2008-07-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

thoughts. opinions. ah-hah's. things you already know but agree or don't agree with...

as you ponder the metaphor of the sailor, the village, the wreckage, and the people, reflect on your own experience from the church. What aspects have been meaningful, and which experiences do you hope to put behind you?

describe some times in your life when you've wanted to tap out on God and the activities of the church.

describe the last time your heart broke for someone.

Matthew 5:13 - what are some ways you believe we're losing our saltiness?

what do you think the increasing disinterest of the culture toward church means for the future of the church?

do you feel tensions about your faith?

have you noticed the Jerusalem and Galilean distinctions in your own church experience? How?

purpose with passion.

2008-07-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

a few years back i picked up Blue Like Jazz and Through the Painted Deserts and Searching for God knows what by Donald Miller and was floored by the beauty of roaming the country in the journey of awakening. Not that there was any purpose behind it but a passion of the freedom that can be found in life. I fell in love with the Bohemian lifestyle. I never went to the extent to follow through with the way of living cause that would mean that i'd have to give up the luxury's i have gotten myself into. So it was a step that I never made. I do feel as though myself am on some wavelength there though.

A few months after reading the books by Don Miller I picked a book called On the Road by Jack Kerouac. If you haven't read it, you're missing out on some great entertainment. The similarities between those books are the searching and the enjoying of life. But both lead down different paths, maybe similar but the destination is not the same.

I've seen this journey also in the movie Into the Wild. The journey and experiences are the appealing part in it all. the freedom. love. people. Being a unique individual with knowing there are other people there to help you grow in and express your uniqueness. We're created for a purpose that is to express the glory and wonder of God.

There are a group of people who fit everything in together of this passion for life into a purpose that won't fade or come to an end with no fulfillment. I see this in the people who want to be apart of something big but don't want to be big themselves. I see this in people who long and hurt for one another. I see this in people who share each others burdens. Of all the prenotions these characters give in the books, they are all, for the most part hated by the world. or the american side of it that i know of.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 says this: He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

I see a journey of knowing the beauty God has revealed to us but it will take far beyond the time we have here on earth or in heaven. This is the journey i seek. The beauty of the Kingdom of Heaven.

the tangible kingdom.

2008-06-12T12:16:00.000-07:00

as i have said before, the books that i've read in the past year have been the perfect series of books that I could of ever processed. Starting with Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne I have never been challenged in such a way to change the actions of my personal life in the world. Moving into the Kingdom of God I've read This Beautiful Mess by Rick McKinley, The Secret Message of Jesus by Brian Mclaren , Sex God by Rob Bell, Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and now just finished the Tangible Kingdom by Hugh Halter and Matt Smay.

I don't think I would have finished any of them if they hadn't peeked my interest in some way. i did try to read the Kingdom of God is Within You by Leo Tolstoy but it failed in my understanding. There are still more books to read and thoughts to process but i do know i need to throw up at some point and bottle it in some way. All these views need to be organized into the heart of what God has called the church to me.

The Tangible Kingdom has been an inspiration to see the church in better light. I've seen the church in practice as to the definitions Halter and Smay bring. Such as attractional. Most of the churches in America say to anyone, follower or non-follower: come to us. The missional church says: just look. If you are truly living in the Kingdom of God, loving and caring for one another with a transparent and unashamed attitude the gospel will be lived out in your life thus showing everyone Jesus. An all inviting attitude that will show people who Jesus is and revealing to them a way in which they can come and know Jesus too.

Halter and Smay also help get a better understanding on the culture in America and the different contexts people are in with their beliefs. This is all too important because of the generations that have morphed into one another, like a homeschooler that is actually cool. is that possible? it is my friend! so, very important to see the differences. Western, Eastern, PostModern and Gospel Response.

After all this input I really don't know if I can fully puke it out in comprehension. It just doesn't make sense when I try to describe. I know it's beautiful. I know it's the Kingdom of God here on Earth. I know it's hope for all who have lost hope. All i ask is for wisdom. I have feared and revered the Lord, because I know this is way over my head. Give me wisdom.

christian Vs. disciple - what's the difference?

2008-05-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, "If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.
"But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, 'There's the person who started that building and couldn't afford to finish it!'

"Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? And if he can't, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.

"Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand! - Luke 14:25-35

RELIGION INCORPORATED

2008-04-24T09:20:00.000-07:00

market strategies
demographic studies
million dollar buildings
exclusivity
stained glass fortresses
perfect pews all in a row
filled with suits and ties
building programs
land acquisitions
flee the inner city
build in the suburbs
lock out the freaks
post ushers like guards
bow to the rich
ignore the poor
fail to penetrate society
ignore the screams
close your eyes
to the war in the streets
build thick walls
isolate yourselves
pile the salt
hide the light
don't get dirty
react too slowly
grip dry tradition
play church
while the spiritual graveyard
inches closer
to your indifference.

Kingdom come.

2008-04-22T15:01:00.000-07:00

hope...

2008-04-22T07:32:00.000-07:00

is the breath that gives faith the beat love needs.

who is she.

2008-04-16T12:39:00.000-07:00

Then I heard another voice from heaven say:

"Come out of her, my people,

so that you will not share in her sins,

so that you will not receive any of her plagues;

for her sins are piled up to heaven,

and God has remembered her crimes.

Give back to her as she has given;

pay her back double for what she has done.

Mix her a double portion from her own cup.

Give her as much torture and grief

as the glory and luxury she gave herself.

In her heart she boasts,

'I sit as queen; I am not a widow,

and I will never mourn.'

Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her:

death, mourning and famine.

She will be consumed by fire,

for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.

i thank God.

2008-04-13T22:57:00.000-07:00

for putting people in my life to cover my shortcomings. new Kingdom come.

just so i don't forget.

2008-03-14T12:33:00.000-07:00

yah so i think the next big thing that will be used as interactive entertainment will be the integration of the web and television. Being able to watch TV while you surf the web, vice versa. You might think this is already happening but it's not. As your watching TV, say a commercial comes on for Papa Johns Pizza. This commercial in some way wets your appetite for some pie and you want to indulge yourself. So while the commercial is being played you can click on the link to order your pizza, in a separate window, order, pay and have it delivered. This can be the case for all ads "selling" products. As far as the TV programs that are out there, it will be integrated throughout the show. Let's say your watching a basketball game. Throughout this game you there are numerous facts that you might want to know for the team. During the game you might want to click the teams name for general stats about them or if it comes down to the details, while the game is being played and the players are running up and down the court, click on one of the players so you can get specific stats about the player. This could be done for all sports.

Another thing that could be done throughout a TV show could be little details that the producer might want to add to make the show a little more interesting. or going back to the consumer consumption, advertising companies can add their links to the products in the shows that the cast are using.

You can do all of this without having to switch back and forth from either a desktop or laptop and the TV.

just to make life a little more simpler for the fat(used all three ways: fat as in huge, large or obese. fat as in, i've got money so i can whatever i want. fat as in, phat.) American.

so you say you want a revolution.

2008-03-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

would anyone agree with me that the Christian church is beginning to stir with an emotion of change? with more love and hope to offer to a hurting world?

have you ever questioned...

2008-03-11T21:55:00.000-07:00

...why the church has children's and student ministries? not that i don't feel supported or that i'm left all alone, but why are there separate ministries if normally the church is "family oriented."

i'd like to hear some responses if anyone actually reads this.

i know there are some churches out there that focus on family as a whole. NorthPoint in Atlanta has a big show that they put on for the family, and it's great but... it's a show. is that what the church is? entertainment for the family?

there's also a church in Portland called Imago Dei that i believe shoots for the intended purpose of a family church. i wish i knew more.

the traditional model, which has become the contemporary model, has a separate "service" for each of the age groups. this is actually what goes on at our church. being my first take with children and students, i'm only prone to go with what i know and what i've experienced before. it's okay, but i know there's more to it.

there's gotta be more. where is it?

the true Kingdom.

2008-02-21T15:42:00.000-08:00

if you want to build a ship, don't summon people to buy wood, prepare tools, distribute jobs, and organize the work, rather teach people the yearning for the wide, boundless ocean.

-Antoine de Saint-Exupery

a future not our own.

2008-02-05T13:41:00.000-08:00

it helps, now and then, to step back
and take the long view.
the kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is beyond our vision.

we accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of
the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.
nothing we do is complete,
which is another way of saying
that the kingdom always lies beyond us.

no statement says all that could be said.
no prayer fully expresses our faith.
no confession brings perfection...
no set of goals and objectives includes everything.

this is what we are about:
we plant seeds that one day will grow.
we water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.
we lay foundations that will need further development.
we provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.

we cannot do everything
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
this enables us to do something,
and to do it very well.
it may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,
an opportunity for God's grace to enter and do the rest.

we may never see the end results...
we are prophets of a future not our own.

-Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador

prayer.

2008-01-30T12:29:00.000-08:00

at times i dread it because it's time consuming. and others because of who is praying with me. i would have to say that 99% of the time my outcome is one for a change of heart. i do feel better. it's worth it. but prayer.... what is it? why do we need to talk to G-d to make us feel good about ourselves? when we pray with others, why is there judgement? is it selfish on our part when we pray? if G-d knows everything why do we even need to pray?
as i'm understanding a bit more of G-d's Kingdom, Revolution, Dream, etc. i see that prayer is an act just like baptism to show our commitment to G-d. we are not in control. but our concern for other's in G-d's Kingdom is G-d's concern. we are called to love. in our faith that we believe G-d is watching over us, there's hope. hope for a better future and love for the entire Kingdom. we make a commitment through prayer to give us hope that we're not in this alone.

church deconstruction.

2008-01-24T13:41:00.000-08:00

if we would take away everything the church is today, the good and the bad, what is left. we would go back to the beginning of it all. whether the beginning may be the early manifestos of God's Kingdom or the start of all time.

what did it look like in the beginning?

for one: it was good. but in the process of "being" it got all mucked up with sin and the things that don't matter.

another: it was what it was meant to be. simple and pristine.

so what things today make church, church? what would you take away, from what it is today and all the bitter taste it leaves on the palettes of peoples tongues, to the simplicity and originality of restoring us back to God.

take away everything, the good and the bad:

- the music - the hymns - the projector - the powerpoint - the slides - the computers - the production team - the cameras - the tv evangelist - the healing - the miracles - the building - the steeple - the chairs - the pews - the coffee bar - the sunday school - the "core" classes - the children's ministry - the youth group - the nursery - the preschool - the parents night out - the mothers of babies club - the sports teams - the prayer - the dress clothes - the mohawks - communion - offering - loving other people - giving to the poor - caring for widows and orphans - random acts of kindness - having hope - purpose - prayer - the confession of sins - baptism - cheesiness - being fake - special music - family - trust - easter lily's - the bible

so leave all the people, take away everything that has been called "church". what you have left is Jesus and people. if we started all over again, how beautiful it would be. the fruits of the Spirit. purpose. meaning. a life worth living. people who love. one's that care for all people, good and bad. being provided for when you have nothing. giving everything that you have to the ones who don't have it.

the church.

we live and move in the mystical.

2008-01-09T11:25:00.000-08:00

we started a new series last sunday speaking mainly on the kingdom but ramping up with how and why the kingdom got established. i would say that i do have a grasp on understanding G-d's Kingdom but i can't explain it.

If we look at John we see the beginning of it all.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."

John 1:1-5 NIV

One of the first "ah-hah's" was when i read that, i mean really read that for the first time. Jesus was there. He was there with G-d in the beginning. at Creation. Jesus was there. But Jesus never denied this.

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.

Matthew 16:16-17 NLT

When we look at texts like this we see that God was the one who revealed the deity of Jesus. This also shows proof for a King. One who rules this world. One that shows proof through the unexplainable.

I tried to communicate this in a way that would truly be a "BAM", in the face but i couldn't quite pull it off. At the end of John 1 we see the first instance of Jesus revealing his deity.

As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”

“How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”

Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”

John 1:47-49 NLT

So to get the "BAM," i took the words from Mark Moore in his book The Chronological Life of Christ: Volume 1 From Glory to Galilee.

"Nathanael is deeply impressed that Jesus knew him. Then Jesus says. in so many words, "Oh that was nothin', watch this: I saw you sitting under the fig tree!" This so impressed Nathanael that he confesses that Jesus is the Messiah of the God."

Through the unexplainable G-d reveals himself to us. He shows us what His kingdom looks like. We see the story unravel that includes us as characters interacting with the one in the lead role. Jesus is King!

full house.

2008-01-07T12:19:00.000-08:00

today we should be getting another roommate. that will be a total of 5 people in our house. i would have to say that this experience for the last 2 years has changed my life quite substantially. there are some things that need to be changed though. in order to be adequately living in God's Kingdom, my attitude and actions need to change. i need to be a leader.

new year.

2008-01-04T12:41:00.000-08:00

if resolutions were something we did every month or everyday, would we be better people. looking back on the previous year i can say i enjoyed it. as any previous year i have grown. i know myself more. i've gotten more wise. i've learned from my mistakes.

if we were to surround ourselves with people who make us better, would our resolutions become a reality. do we see the fruits of what true community means. i am aiming for simplicity. i have not told many people my plan and when i do i feel as though it's more about me than what the outcome is. i see that there are many hurting people in this world. many hurting people who can't see God because their not really looking. i personally don't think this is for every minister but i am looking to wean myself from getting paid by the church. something things that are lacking that the church isn't embracing is community and devotion. by living in community with a group of people who love each other really shows love for one another. i would have to say that many people who have beef with the church is the example that it sets, this could be by a number of people or by just a single person.

i want to do my best to show God's love. this is all i can come up with right now. there is more.

no good samiritan.

2007-12-31T11:49:00.000-08:00

what have we done.

hiccups.

2007-12-31T11:29:00.000-08:00

no hiccups. but there are some things that just get in the way. vices. they do seem like hiccups. every now and again the annoyance of the things i struggle with are popping up and are really annoying.

complacency. it's driving me mad. especially within the church. how can anyone get so used to religion that it kills them. it reminds me of the frog that will end up dying because the water is just too good to jump out. (well, i've just been corrected. the frog thing is a myth. hmm, it sounded too good to be true.) Sorta like cruise control. it's convenient. it's nice to have. it's easy. but you can't get around everywhere. you've got to stop. you've got to move. it's just too easy. have i become cruise control in my faith? what's my next step.

i thank God for the people he's surrounded me with. i just hope i make the most out of it.

my goodness.

2007-12-20T12:03:00.000-08:00

Rob Bell on teaching

Weekly teaching can be destructive to creativity.

I don't teach something that has not been a part of me for six months to a year. Think about it, if I asked you to talk about your wedding or something else that has changed you, would you really need notes?

What would happen if on Monday morning you sat at your computer and instead of staring at blank screen, you're already looking at ten teachings that could take place and decidiing which one was the most ready to be taught, or most needed to be taught?

The best messages are not purchased off a shelf or a website, but are grown in your own backyard.

As a teacher, you need to live with a text - allow it to ferment in you, take up residence in you - then connections begin to be made.

We have people who can sing notes, but where are the soul singers? The pulpit has been the home of technicians and analysts, but where are the prophets and poets - the wide eyed crazy people? Teaching should be a dangerous and daring art form, not a science.

The Bible is about real people in real places in real times. It's taking place in an on-going historical narrative. What we need to remember is that we are in the same historical flow. Teaching is about connecting real people in real places in real times with us, here, today. We live in the same flow of what God is doing in history.

Your job is the relentless pursuit of who God made you to be... to be about anything else is sin.

Are you teaching because you have to say something, or because you have something to say? People, especially outside of "Christianity" know when you are passionate. That kind of passion makes them say, "Maybe this stuff really did happen."

Lonely Tree

2007-12-19T13:32:00.001-08:00

i like trees!

house by the road.

2007-12-18T13:00:00.000-08:00

so this post is meant for Scott to take a look at our house. our very beautiful house that is precious and yellow.

our yellow house and brian.

i'll take you from my room down to the basement. so you can see what to expect.

my room from the doorway.

the left of my room.

looking from the window.

closet.

window and dresser.

bathroom.

stairs.

living room from the stairs. kris.

living room.

kitchen.

door to the breezeway.

door open to the breezeway.

breezeway. (your room?)

breezeway (your room?)

downstairs to the basement.

basement.

kris' room in the basement.

laundry room in the basement.

i see tree.

2007-12-13T13:31:00.001-08:00

this is beautiful!

nice.

2007-12-13T10:41:00.000-08:00

new york was great. i wish i had a camera. don't ever buy heineken for $5 a bottle and get 14 of them. macy's day parade was cool but don't know if i ever want to stand for 4 hours waiting for santa. boston rocked. sleeping in the car is not overrated, stayed in atlantic city for $5. montauk was one cool place. everywhere i went would be worth going to again with someone i love.

pretty sweet.

2007-11-15T11:23:00.000-08:00

last night i had the chance to see Shane Claiborne speak at V.U. i read his book, Irresistible Revolution, a month or so ago and has changed the way i view life. he is a good one. a very inspirational and passionate person who is "madly in love with Jesus." i would have to say everyone has a desire to be apart of something huge, bigger than themselves. the kingdom of God is desire. it seems to be the yearn that my heart is after right now. i just got through reading This Beautiful Mess by Rick McKinnley and in the process of reading the Secret Message of Jesus by Brian McLaren. Those books are also about God's Kingdom and how we can have a picture of the Kingdom now and what it looks like in everyday life.

Oh how i desire that. Kingdom come!

bothered.

2007-11-13T10:37:00.000-08:00

there are some times in the ministry when i just wish the day was over like a normal job. there are also times when i want to feel like i've reached the end of what i've been working towards. i know there is no end to the work that has been set before me but i do know that if i'm working with everything that i have, that very much so includes love, then it's worthless.

i need some rest.

toughest thing.

2007-11-09T11:37:00.000-08:00

the toughest thing that i would acknowledge, just today, is that no one has the same understanding. everyone has their own upbringings. everyone has their own world-views. everyone has their own grasp of what God looks like. everyone has their own opinion. the thing that doesn't ever change and in which everyone should agree upon is the Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God and He is the one who can grant you a new and clean life.

long time coming.

2007-11-08T09:44:00.000-08:00

it's been 4 years since i've started this "job" in the ministry. setting myself up for success has never been the key. i have actually just been rolling with what's going on. the best thing about these 4 years is the growth i've seen in myself. a great understanding of what the church is and the peeling off of layers that tradition sheds when the true body reveals itself. i love the church. i love the people it consists of. people who aren't at all trying to be perfect. people with gifts that i envy but know i don't need. people who are messed up. people who need Jesus.

i love the church.

2007-10-31T16:20:00.001-07:00

the church is a beautiful thing. but what have we made it become? i love the part in the Bible where it talks about how the believers and followers of Jesus live in community with one another. i want that.

why didn't i think of that?

2007-10-28T14:43:00.000-07:00

like i said before, i've been reading this book called This Beautiful Mess by Rick McKinley and he brings to light something, for me as a family have missed. ever since i've been the family guy at Life Bridge, trying to think of things for the family is quite the hard thing to do. for one, i have not seen it modeled beautifully anywhere. and two, the model for the Christian church does a poor job of it. BUT, at Imago Dei they have structured into their DNA things called Learning Labs. where the family learns together. rick's at the point in his book where he's talking about the Kingdom of Heaven through the eyes of a child and by their faith. when we actually look at God through the eyes of a child it may be more simplified but to some of us, including myself, it's harder to grasp from the way that i was brought up. but these Learning Labs are an opportunity to look at God's creation and teachings from a child's point of view so that we can have faith as a child.

one of things that was mentioned is digging through dirt and playing with worms and seeing how the worms make the earth more fertile so they plants get better nutrients. Another view is through media. it wasn't mentioned specifically but the thought was flittering around my head to think of the possibilities. one could be that the family star in their own video through a script that helps learn some basic biblical truths.

i don't know how i could of missed something that could change a families perspective on learning to see through a child's eyes. the obstacle to overcome are the people who can make this happen. being a church that's all about families, this should be something considered to be an basic part of the family ministry.

how it should be.

2007-10-26T09:28:00.000-07:00

i've been reading a book titled, This Beautiful Mess by Rick McKinley. the focus of the book is taking a look at the Kingdom of God and how we ARE already a part of it rather than looking at it to be something to come. to be honest i've never really thought too much on the Kingdom, nor tried to apply the presence of the Kingdom to my life. as a minister it would be something that should of been done a long time ago, but with all events leading to where i am today i would have to say it is perfect. as well as everyone else in this world, most of us are only concerned with numero uno. i would have to place that claim on everyone, that includes ministers. well... not all... and that would include ministers as well. focusing on style of teaching, to emerging, to emergent, to experiential, to traditional, it would go down to the rootworks of the person. i've or i am being transformed to have a better understanding on the Kingdom and the picture is beautiful. for everyone to see this picture would be even better and i can't wait til the day comes when self-sacrifice is something that comes without recognition.

the end of the beginning.

2007-10-25T13:11:00.001-07:00

i awoke today with the worst crick in my neck and has yet to go away. it’s a pain like this that can ruin such a wonderful day.

i decided that i wanted to start creating a blog for personal and networking use that i can use a resource for both the children’s and student ministries. i don’t know what’s to come of this but i would like to see it as a sounding board for discussion and the engineering of the thought process.

just like the crick in my neck i know that the church can be a pain that just gets in the way and can ruin such a beautiful day. it may just start one day when we wake up but more likely the pain is something that has been brewing for quite some time, or maybe not.

it feels that Life Bridge is in a category that i can’t quite place. i love the fact that we are from new beginnings. the foundational structure that grows straight from the Bible and away from tradition and the crap that flows out of it. but no matter the sweet comeuppance of fresh starts there are cricks that are brought into the picture by people from tradition.

i would have to assume that they mean no harm but at times i would have to beg to differ. when people hinder love from anyone and put the focus on themselves the crick is like a fat log in the most uncomfortable of places.

i am reading a couple of books right now that would have to be some of the most inspirational things that I have read since the Bible. if i can find out how to do it, i will put the list of books that i’m currently reading on the side and would like to hear your thoughts from them.

going back to the crick, these books that i have been reading have been very enlightening to the subject matter of people and their crap. we have crap. it gets in the way. it can really stink. not that God cleans up after our mess, He provides a way for us to get rid of the filth and live in a whole new refreshing way.

He is the end of the crap and the beginning of it all.