yesterday morning's church time was...well, we're the church. No matter how it "goes", we belong to Jesus. There is something there that is much greater than anything else. so how do we measure it?
I'll tell you what. The Word came. There was a word shared by several people. It took form as they each shared their part, or asked their question. JP and Lew preached, some commented, some questioned...
I left the time together freshly amazed at the God who has chosen us for His dwelling on the sole basis of his pleasure: he is pleased to have us! That from Ps.132:13-14
We stood amazed as God clothed Jeshua the high priest in Zech. 3
...marveled at Jesus calling us his friends in John 15:15
...rejoiced in Romans 5's good news that God has loved us while we were still His enemies, how much more now that our hearts yearn to love Him back?
Colossians 2:12-14 spoke of the "death warrant" being cancelled--God is now longer angry at us!
Micah 7:8-9 spoke of how Jesus has plead our legal case before the Father. We are fully reconciled.
All of this bundles with words from Zech 3 and Isaiah 6 that show that, as Jesus said, we did not choose Him. He has chosen us.
Please, read through these scriptures this week and think on the very GOODNESS of the news in Christ! No matter how you may have failed Him, He is on your side. Just turn to him in your heart, trust His atonement on the cross for your sins, and start fresh WITH HIM, TODAY.
String together a bunch of TODAYs and we'll catch up on the other side...
and happy new year.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Saturday, December 29, 2007
A Quote for you...
got this quote off another blog. interesting and good for us... it is from G.K. Chesterton, whose work I haven't read.
‘The man who lives in a small community lives in a much larger world … The reason is obvious. In a large community we can choose our companions. In a small community our companions are chosen for us.’ Community has been insightfully defined as the place where the person you least want to live with always lives! Responding to this Philip Yancey says: ‘we often surround ourselves with the people we most want to live with, thus forming a club or clique, not a community. Anyone can form a club; it takes grace, shared vision, and hard work to form a community.’ We might also add that it takes a miracle that only God himself can perform. But it is in such a community that disciples are made. To be a community of light from which the light of Christ will emanate we need to be intentional in our relationships: to love the unlovely, forgive the unforgivable, embrace the repulsive, include the awkward, accept the weird. It is in contexts such as this that sinners are transformed into disciples who obey everything King Jesus has commanded.'
‘The man who lives in a small community lives in a much larger world … The reason is obvious. In a large community we can choose our companions. In a small community our companions are chosen for us.’ Community has been insightfully defined as the place where the person you least want to live with always lives! Responding to this Philip Yancey says: ‘we often surround ourselves with the people we most want to live with, thus forming a club or clique, not a community. Anyone can form a club; it takes grace, shared vision, and hard work to form a community.’ We might also add that it takes a miracle that only God himself can perform. But it is in such a community that disciples are made. To be a community of light from which the light of Christ will emanate we need to be intentional in our relationships: to love the unlovely, forgive the unforgivable, embrace the repulsive, include the awkward, accept the weird. It is in contexts such as this that sinners are transformed into disciples who obey everything King Jesus has commanded.'
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Quick Morning update.
Its hard for me to believe it has been six days since I published to the blog... We've had a LOT going on around us. Seth has been sick, but got better. I got a little sick and had a sleepless night. We got new carpet in the downstairs guest quarters and third floor community quarters...
We've had Sam around for a while now, and we're seeing a great potential for a small community of men on the third floor. We're talking 3 to six men. Living together and walking a daily walk of Christian community and intentional mission among the church and our neighbors, here...
The roof is leaking because it is raining. I've been promising Judy to go up there, every day, but I'm actually kind of scared to. It is just soooo steep and 36 feet off the ground. cleaning a gutter at that hight is really daunting. Getting a ladder up there alone is a huge task for a... for a lew...
The leaks are coming through the guttering, onto the sill of a window, and down a wall in the house.
I got some inquiries aobut the boiler situation. Mostly about what is going on, not offers of help. Some kind folks have offered us used boilers and forced-air units, but whether or not they fit is in question, and a forced air unit will require us to rework our whole house with ductwork. A new boiler in the basement is what we're really praying for, here.
Thanks to all of you who lift us up in prayer. Our NEEDS are hard to discern, since each little trial we face drives us to fresh dependence on God. I suspect that He is working in each difficulty to bring us into faith, love and thereby holiness. We are filled with hope...
Just pray that we won't get swamped in the "daily", fretting about how to pull off this life together.
Someone got shot and killed on the street the other night.
Last night all the emergency vehicles were around the corner.
The City has required us to do some external repairs.
A number of the people who have come to our meetings over the years have wandered from the faith. Not the community itself, but visitors who were challenged and gave the faith "a try".
We're plotting to remove a lot of stuff from our basement this Saturday. We're on a push to de-clutter and refresh the inner workings of the house.
We would welcome your visits, all you church who speak well of us but haven't spent time here to feel what its like. We love you and need your prayers for all of us over here...
We've had Sam around for a while now, and we're seeing a great potential for a small community of men on the third floor. We're talking 3 to six men. Living together and walking a daily walk of Christian community and intentional mission among the church and our neighbors, here...
The roof is leaking because it is raining. I've been promising Judy to go up there, every day, but I'm actually kind of scared to. It is just soooo steep and 36 feet off the ground. cleaning a gutter at that hight is really daunting. Getting a ladder up there alone is a huge task for a... for a lew...
The leaks are coming through the guttering, onto the sill of a window, and down a wall in the house.
I got some inquiries aobut the boiler situation. Mostly about what is going on, not offers of help. Some kind folks have offered us used boilers and forced-air units, but whether or not they fit is in question, and a forced air unit will require us to rework our whole house with ductwork. A new boiler in the basement is what we're really praying for, here.
Thanks to all of you who lift us up in prayer. Our NEEDS are hard to discern, since each little trial we face drives us to fresh dependence on God. I suspect that He is working in each difficulty to bring us into faith, love and thereby holiness. We are filled with hope...
Just pray that we won't get swamped in the "daily", fretting about how to pull off this life together.
Someone got shot and killed on the street the other night.
Last night all the emergency vehicles were around the corner.
The City has required us to do some external repairs.
A number of the people who have come to our meetings over the years have wandered from the faith. Not the community itself, but visitors who were challenged and gave the faith "a try".
We're plotting to remove a lot of stuff from our basement this Saturday. We're on a push to de-clutter and refresh the inner workings of the house.
We would welcome your visits, all you church who speak well of us but haven't spent time here to feel what its like. We love you and need your prayers for all of us over here...
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Emailing Tom Jewell in prison
Click the title, or click HERE to find out how to send emails to our dear incarcerated brother, Tom (clicking "Tom" will give you all the posts on him, up to this point).
His inmate number is 174893. He is in the Roederer Correctional Complex. That's all you'll need, outside a credit card, to do this thing...
love.
His inmate number is 174893. He is in the Roederer Correctional Complex. That's all you'll need, outside a credit card, to do this thing...
love.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Sam and Lew to Lexington
Sam and I went to Lexington and read 17 Psalms with the church there. The church there was crammed into Aaron Mansfield's house for a great spaghetti dinner. The kids watched Nacho Libre and plaaaaayed. I put a lot of "A's" in that because they had a lot of fun with each other, just one room over from us as we were reading the Psalms...
17 psalms. finised book IV of Psalms, there... Tonight they're doing Psalm 119! This group is really, really blessed. They love the Lord, love the Word, love each other. Their testimonies just flow out, over dinner, encouraging us to simply live with Jesus and let His Spirit birth in us the love that will bear fruit that lasts...
Mansfield is a cool guy. 38 years old. Salt and Pepper. Two cool kids... Hosting the Church at his house like that obviously brings life to them... to them the church is a people who love. People who love Jesus. People who love the Mansfields because Jesus loves...
Mansfield is also a Methodist Pastor. The Methodist Meeting-Building (MMB)(I hate to call such a thing a "church") is a Huge brick thing in downtown Lex, in a kinda rough neighborhood... Historically the largest MMB in KY, as some past time I think... I don't know... there're like 300 saints assembled in that building...
But this church building is sweetened by 3 congregations of Christians meeting in it! Every week, the thing gets chocked full of grace and love in three different languages: french african, Spanish, and English! Since I speak all of these languages, myself, I'm pretty stoked about these guys...
what we found in this methodist widower singledadman's house was the SAME thing we find in ours. Same exact. No kidding: the KINGDOM of JESUS established in hearts of everyday people who are simpling down into Him... i hope you just get it...
there's something very very powerful about returnign to the the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ (2 Cor. 11:3). Something so good about admitting it: that we're a people. We're not a corporate organization. We're not a political lobby. We're not a LOT of things. we ARE just a people...
We are a people whose distinctive is... SIMPLY BELONGING TO JESUS. Subjects of the King, servants of the Master...
We have been loved, and chosen by the Father. The Lord JEsus was crucified, dying an ignominious death for us on the cross, and we are called to fellowship with Him. Our dials are set to "the cross".
We preach Jesus, crucified. Come follow in the steps of the guy with holes. Not for the faint of heart, unless by that term you're referring to desperation's gasp for a savior.
There, in that little house, packed with actual people, I sensed that desperation. It was Aaron's 38th birthday. He just lost his wife to cancer this year. One dude there was celebrating his 33rd month off booze. After 30 years of HEAVY drinking. His wife, an awesome saint of God, works with troubled preschoolers (and i mean troubled). Some of the folk were seminarians, and you could feel hunger in them for something real, after their hours spent in ivory towers... They're more than ready to sink their teeth into real meat...
Stories flowed. Stories about loving people. Stories about prostitutes and pro wrestling and loss and love...
I hope and pray for peace upon this PEOPLE, in Lexington. They all live right there, near the church. They are almost all new to grace, if not church. They are amazed by Jesus and hungry for his touch.
In an institution like the Methodist church, there are influential folks having reservations about this influential influx of rough, Galilean fishermen. This Methodist church has been a bastion of Institutional History, and a fundamental shift in it's constituency could lead to a loss of prestige, especially if it fills up with whores and drunks whose only boast is that Jesus has loved them, crucified. Oh yeah, and Africans and Latinos to boot... and if those people become committee chairs and guiding voices from the Holy Spirit... What will become of us?
I have seen this tension rise and fall many times over the last two decades. Since 1991, I have been involved personally in several rounds of "what happens when Jesus comes to church". With a Crucified Savior as our main focus of attention, and example of life, what do we expect? He has paved the way. He has shown the way. He, Himself is the Way.
If I had been raised in a cushy experience of church, without the presence of the Smelly... If I had driven to church all my life, past "their" houses, I might feel a shock if "they" came in. "They" tend to RUIN a proper meeting. There's the smelliness, noisiness, out of order-ness, neediness, brokenness, failure, rebelliousness, and overall rowdiness of a crowd of folks pressing in to Jesus for their healings... It can be, admittedly, chaotic. And all that in the sanctuary of the church (or the foyer or the fellowship hall, or that most important place of all: the intangible idea of the church as an amalgam of fuzzy memories and historical pride).
Carpets get stained. Holes get punched in walls. stuff gets broken... there is loss. there is use, and using things up...
Yet, aversion to that chaos can be just as toxic as the alcohol and illegitimacy that the neighbors are going cold turkey from... for the congregations of such churches it may be time for a detox...
and a return to that darned simplicity...
Jesus is he Word.
Jesus is the Way.
jesus is the light and the life and the truth and the bread...
Jesus has called us to fellowship in his suffering. From where do we get any language of dominance and superiority, comfort and complacency? Jesus has invited us to become the scum of the earth, and gain a Kingdom and Priesthood for eternity.
That's Jesus, we're talking about... The one who was crucified. The guy surrounded with the sea-scum foam of human desperation...
this stuff is a no-brainer to the humble, broken on the rock...
this stuff is nonsense to those upon whom that rock will fall...(Luke 8:6)
17 psalms. finised book IV of Psalms, there... Tonight they're doing Psalm 119! This group is really, really blessed. They love the Lord, love the Word, love each other. Their testimonies just flow out, over dinner, encouraging us to simply live with Jesus and let His Spirit birth in us the love that will bear fruit that lasts...
Mansfield is a cool guy. 38 years old. Salt and Pepper. Two cool kids... Hosting the Church at his house like that obviously brings life to them... to them the church is a people who love. People who love Jesus. People who love the Mansfields because Jesus loves...
Mansfield is also a Methodist Pastor. The Methodist Meeting-Building (MMB)(I hate to call such a thing a "church") is a Huge brick thing in downtown Lex, in a kinda rough neighborhood... Historically the largest MMB in KY, as some past time I think... I don't know... there're like 300 saints assembled in that building...
But this church building is sweetened by 3 congregations of Christians meeting in it! Every week, the thing gets chocked full of grace and love in three different languages: french african, Spanish, and English! Since I speak all of these languages, myself, I'm pretty stoked about these guys...
what we found in this methodist widower singledadman's house was the SAME thing we find in ours. Same exact. No kidding: the KINGDOM of JESUS established in hearts of everyday people who are simpling down into Him... i hope you just get it...
there's something very very powerful about returnign to the the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ (2 Cor. 11:3). Something so good about admitting it: that we're a people. We're not a corporate organization. We're not a political lobby. We're not a LOT of things. we ARE just a people...
We are a people whose distinctive is... SIMPLY BELONGING TO JESUS. Subjects of the King, servants of the Master...
We have been loved, and chosen by the Father. The Lord JEsus was crucified, dying an ignominious death for us on the cross, and we are called to fellowship with Him. Our dials are set to "the cross".
We preach Jesus, crucified. Come follow in the steps of the guy with holes. Not for the faint of heart, unless by that term you're referring to desperation's gasp for a savior.
There, in that little house, packed with actual people, I sensed that desperation. It was Aaron's 38th birthday. He just lost his wife to cancer this year. One dude there was celebrating his 33rd month off booze. After 30 years of HEAVY drinking. His wife, an awesome saint of God, works with troubled preschoolers (and i mean troubled). Some of the folk were seminarians, and you could feel hunger in them for something real, after their hours spent in ivory towers... They're more than ready to sink their teeth into real meat...
Stories flowed. Stories about loving people. Stories about prostitutes and pro wrestling and loss and love...
I hope and pray for peace upon this PEOPLE, in Lexington. They all live right there, near the church. They are almost all new to grace, if not church. They are amazed by Jesus and hungry for his touch.
In an institution like the Methodist church, there are influential folks having reservations about this influential influx of rough, Galilean fishermen. This Methodist church has been a bastion of Institutional History, and a fundamental shift in it's constituency could lead to a loss of prestige, especially if it fills up with whores and drunks whose only boast is that Jesus has loved them, crucified. Oh yeah, and Africans and Latinos to boot... and if those people become committee chairs and guiding voices from the Holy Spirit... What will become of us?
I have seen this tension rise and fall many times over the last two decades. Since 1991, I have been involved personally in several rounds of "what happens when Jesus comes to church". With a Crucified Savior as our main focus of attention, and example of life, what do we expect? He has paved the way. He has shown the way. He, Himself is the Way.
If I had been raised in a cushy experience of church, without the presence of the Smelly... If I had driven to church all my life, past "their" houses, I might feel a shock if "they" came in. "They" tend to RUIN a proper meeting. There's the smelliness, noisiness, out of order-ness, neediness, brokenness, failure, rebelliousness, and overall rowdiness of a crowd of folks pressing in to Jesus for their healings... It can be, admittedly, chaotic. And all that in the sanctuary of the church (or the foyer or the fellowship hall, or that most important place of all: the intangible idea of the church as an amalgam of fuzzy memories and historical pride).
Carpets get stained. Holes get punched in walls. stuff gets broken... there is loss. there is use, and using things up...
Yet, aversion to that chaos can be just as toxic as the alcohol and illegitimacy that the neighbors are going cold turkey from... for the congregations of such churches it may be time for a detox...
and a return to that darned simplicity...
Jesus is he Word.
Jesus is the Way.
jesus is the light and the life and the truth and the bread...
Jesus has called us to fellowship in his suffering. From where do we get any language of dominance and superiority, comfort and complacency? Jesus has invited us to become the scum of the earth, and gain a Kingdom and Priesthood for eternity.
That's Jesus, we're talking about... The one who was crucified. The guy surrounded with the sea-scum foam of human desperation...
this stuff is a no-brainer to the humble, broken on the rock...
this stuff is nonsense to those upon whom that rock will fall...(Luke 8:6)
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Abe and the Covenant Crew
this morning, I want to spend a bit of time introducing you to another group of Jesus' People... Covenant Nazarene, down on Blue Rock. Abe and Joni (pronounced "johnny") Brandyberry are pastoring a congregation in a converted bar, down there right next to the corner where Chris Challis got shot. Remember that?
Right next to the Northside Mart, a very HOT spot for crime and trouble, they're in the belly of the beast, there. Abe and Joni are really after the heart of God in this thing... They are moving like-minded folks into the neighborhood, offering an opportunity to Bible College students to live out their faith in the "normal radical" of Jesus.
Do you get what I mean by "'normal Radical' of Jesus"? The Way of Jesus is within us--an interior disconnect from this world's way. That same Way manifests in the world as love...
now don't get me wrong, i'm not talking about whitened piety. I'm talking about love. I'm not talking about behavioral perfectionism. I'm talking about that love that JEsus has made possible through the mighty work of the Cross and the powerful working of the Holy Spirit...
I'm talking about UNION with JEsus, overflowing in LOVE, in the world, as it actually is, as we actually are, from where we actually stand.
Do you know the definition of the word "actually"? I don't think I do, but I know that in french, the word "actuel" means NOW. Same as Spanish (actual). And since I know that, I INFER that the word "actually" in English means "Now-ly"--in the Now.
Actually loving means living NOW, with JESUS. A minute ago is not NOW. That was then. This is now. and so is this. and this, too. get it?
So, living NOW with Jesus is as simple as Looking UP! Thinking up... allowing the fingers of your heart to run over the keys of the gospel, hearing afresh the call of Jesus in Matthew 11:28
All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
In Luke 21, when Jesus is talking about how difficult it'll get before the end, he concludes with "LOOK UP!"
Check out the wicked, filthy, cheating, traitorous sell-out in this passage! He looks down! And still looks up! Sometimes looking down is looking up!
So, I hope you look up today, even if, like me, you might have to look down, too... ANd please think about Abe and Joni! Pray for them. Lift them up. Ask Father to work with them and with their denomidudes to embody the LOVE the the cross has baptised us in... that the Holy Spirit baptises us in...
Right next to the Northside Mart, a very HOT spot for crime and trouble, they're in the belly of the beast, there. Abe and Joni are really after the heart of God in this thing... They are moving like-minded folks into the neighborhood, offering an opportunity to Bible College students to live out their faith in the "normal radical" of Jesus.
Do you get what I mean by "'normal Radical' of Jesus"? The Way of Jesus is within us--an interior disconnect from this world's way. That same Way manifests in the world as love...
now don't get me wrong, i'm not talking about whitened piety. I'm talking about love. I'm not talking about behavioral perfectionism. I'm talking about that love that JEsus has made possible through the mighty work of the Cross and the powerful working of the Holy Spirit...
I'm talking about UNION with JEsus, overflowing in LOVE, in the world, as it actually is, as we actually are, from where we actually stand.
Do you know the definition of the word "actually"? I don't think I do, but I know that in french, the word "actuel" means NOW. Same as Spanish (actual). And since I know that, I INFER that the word "actually" in English means "Now-ly"--in the Now.
Actually loving means living NOW, with JESUS. A minute ago is not NOW. That was then. This is now. and so is this. and this, too. get it?
So, living NOW with Jesus is as simple as Looking UP! Thinking up... allowing the fingers of your heart to run over the keys of the gospel, hearing afresh the call of Jesus in Matthew 11:28
All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
In Luke 21, when Jesus is talking about how difficult it'll get before the end, he concludes with "LOOK UP!"
Check out the wicked, filthy, cheating, traitorous sell-out in this passage! He looks down! And still looks up! Sometimes looking down is looking up!
So, I hope you look up today, even if, like me, you might have to look down, too... ANd please think about Abe and Joni! Pray for them. Lift them up. Ask Father to work with them and with their denomidudes to embody the LOVE the the cross has baptised us in... that the Holy Spirit baptises us in...
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
End november 2007 update
Good morning. I'm here at the Sidewinder, again, thinking back on the weekend...gratefully. I don't know what time will be at the bottom of this post, but it's almost 9am right now.
There are a few things going on right now that are worth sharing with the world...
First, Thanksgiving was a wonderful time. We had a Wednesday and a Thursday meal. This has been a time for us to draw closer together within the Northside community. Last year, out table packed out with relatives and passing strangers--like 25 people or more, during that long weekend. This year, it was two meals with our local church people... That's just the way it worked out, and that was great. There was enough stretch in the day for me and Danielmattt to spend turkeyday morning filming me skate on wet leaves and puddles...
Our Sunday Morning was an intimate breakfast and worship time. Many have traveled, and the Trues are still sequestered with baby isaac. Imagine that. One of our couples just had their baby this week, then Thanksgiving with all kinds of gentle blessing, and then Sunday Morning Breakfast among just a few of us...
Now, on Sunday Night, Chris Deering and I went up to INdianapolis to share musically with a youth ministry. I did some free-flow worship music, and accompanied Chris on a couple of his acoustic versions of his excellent hip-hop music... I personally preferred his full-on hip-hop versions, with back-up tracks... Chris is actually very good. No kidding.
In a generation where everyone's a "rapper", its nice to be around Chris' developing talent and clear message.
While Chris and I were gone, the "Jesus Meeting" on Sunday Night--that is our open meeting, for all comers--the Jesus meeting was great. I love it when, in my absence, the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the Body displays the reality that the church is led by JEsus, not by men. There was a lot of sharing on Peace, and we had Angie in town.
Angie is our dear friend of about 18 years. She lives in Kentucky and works at the Galilean home. She helps people, every day. She is like... she's kind of like a mother theresa kind of sister. she'd laugh or cringe to hear that, but she's a single woman who has devoted herself to Jesus, iin service of the disadvantaged... She's a heck of a lot younger than Momma T, but she's on the same track: Jesus. Her wisdom, and authentic christian religion are a true help to us, every time she comes... I'm sorry I missed her, and our new friends who came to visit with Jesus that night.
When you have families, with kids, and four new marriages, 2 kids born in a few months, another born just over a year ago... When the church is like this, the emphasis shifts, naturally and supernaturally, to the establishment of these families in godliness and love... the emphasis of our community finds expression in equipping HOMES of LOVE, starting with Self, Marriage, Family, and bleeding out into the neighborhood and workplace...
As a pastor-guy, this is pretty wonderful to experience... I am often "put right", restored, by this life together... And another wonderful thing is the neighbors, who are also house-church-ers. Wow. We love you guys. Peace to you.
praying for unity. walking in peace...
There are a few things going on right now that are worth sharing with the world...
First, Thanksgiving was a wonderful time. We had a Wednesday and a Thursday meal. This has been a time for us to draw closer together within the Northside community. Last year, out table packed out with relatives and passing strangers--like 25 people or more, during that long weekend. This year, it was two meals with our local church people... That's just the way it worked out, and that was great. There was enough stretch in the day for me and Danielmattt to spend turkeyday morning filming me skate on wet leaves and puddles...
Our Sunday Morning was an intimate breakfast and worship time. Many have traveled, and the Trues are still sequestered with baby isaac. Imagine that. One of our couples just had their baby this week, then Thanksgiving with all kinds of gentle blessing, and then Sunday Morning Breakfast among just a few of us...
Now, on Sunday Night, Chris Deering and I went up to INdianapolis to share musically with a youth ministry. I did some free-flow worship music, and accompanied Chris on a couple of his acoustic versions of his excellent hip-hop music... I personally preferred his full-on hip-hop versions, with back-up tracks... Chris is actually very good. No kidding.
In a generation where everyone's a "rapper", its nice to be around Chris' developing talent and clear message.
While Chris and I were gone, the "Jesus Meeting" on Sunday Night--that is our open meeting, for all comers--the Jesus meeting was great. I love it when, in my absence, the ministry of the Holy Spirit through the Body displays the reality that the church is led by JEsus, not by men. There was a lot of sharing on Peace, and we had Angie in town.
Angie is our dear friend of about 18 years. She lives in Kentucky and works at the Galilean home. She helps people, every day. She is like... she's kind of like a mother theresa kind of sister. she'd laugh or cringe to hear that, but she's a single woman who has devoted herself to Jesus, iin service of the disadvantaged... She's a heck of a lot younger than Momma T, but she's on the same track: Jesus. Her wisdom, and authentic christian religion are a true help to us, every time she comes... I'm sorry I missed her, and our new friends who came to visit with Jesus that night.
When you have families, with kids, and four new marriages, 2 kids born in a few months, another born just over a year ago... When the church is like this, the emphasis shifts, naturally and supernaturally, to the establishment of these families in godliness and love... the emphasis of our community finds expression in equipping HOMES of LOVE, starting with Self, Marriage, Family, and bleeding out into the neighborhood and workplace...
As a pastor-guy, this is pretty wonderful to experience... I am often "put right", restored, by this life together... And another wonderful thing is the neighbors, who are also house-church-ers. Wow. We love you guys. Peace to you.
praying for unity. walking in peace...
Friday, November 23, 2007
Fifty Stories: Chris Deering's Music
Chris has lived here for years... sheesh, he was an intern with City Cure in 04, and moved here in 05, I think... he got assaulted that year, remember. What a story that is. Definitely in the top 50.
Well, chris has put out some seriously good hip hop music, and you can listen and download from the title link here... He wrote this stuff on breaks at ComAir, and in between runs to Chipotle... Sheena is due in March, btw. They live across the street from Lew and Judy's house.
God is so Kind.
Well, chris has put out some seriously good hip hop music, and you can listen and download from the title link here... He wrote this stuff on breaks at ComAir, and in between runs to Chipotle... Sheena is due in March, btw. They live across the street from Lew and Judy's house.
God is so Kind.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
David Isaac True
Please enjoy these photos of our newest litttle brother! David Isaac True (Isaac) arrived yesterday at 11:47am, weighing 9pounds 12 ounces (maybe 13?) and measuring 19 inches long (but we all think he's longer). Healthy and surprisingly happy, he was born and lives among us, now.
Thank you, Lord! So now, just around the corner, up Chambers, the True house has another wonderful soul under the roof. Sheena and Chris are next, across the street in March! We're all praying for that.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Here's a Jesus Person for ya!
This little dude here is Kai Shryock. Dude's cute, eh? 'bout 14 months old or so, son of Danielmatt and Christine (xtine) Shryock from up the street. They are in the other half of The True's house--big duplex around the corner. David and sarah and Kadin true (kay din) moved in last summer and have been cookiing up another baby for us! And today they went to the hospital to have him! Yes, that's right! Another Grubbykupp Christian Jesus person to add to the mix...
Remember! Chris and sheena are due in March, too. So there's a lot of Baby stuff shaking around there, lately. I'll keep you posted on the arrivals and all. Just so grateful for such days as these.
Think about how many children the Lord has blessed us with! Aaron (13), Seth (6), Kadin (10 I think), Kai (1)... and Now Baby Isaac (David Isaac True)!!!! Soon to see the little praiser in Sheena's belly, too! What rich blessings on earth! THink about our arrival in the Kingdom of Jesus at the end of the age. How good that will be.
Monday, November 19, 2007
not about model.
i don't know how many of you know that I was once put out of a "house church network" because, among other things, I didn't believe that "model" (specifically house-church) was the key to my ecclesiology. my understanding of what the church is.
i recently posted that I'd love to help to start home meetings all over the city and the tri-state. I didn't realize that I've been being equipped to equip, with such an extensive resume, but I have been. Jesus snuck it in, as we have simply lived, trying to obey, daily.
so now here i am, and i'm ready and willing to help, if i can, to encourage christians to grow in Christ--as disciples who OBEY the gospel and all He has commanded us... to encourage christians to open their homes to each other and to trust in and participate in the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Body.
I am ready and willing to help. Not to hurt. not to hinder. No matter what a church's tradition, structure, polity... model. the Kingdom call is the same: Jesus has commanded us to be obedient to Him. Jesus has commissioned us to make disciples. disciples who OBEY Him.
jesus distinctly did NOT mention model issues. But if your church's tradition, polity, structure, or practice compromise basic obedience to christ, you've gone off the path in pursuit of the wold's comfort. Repent and refresh!
Example: Methodists:
examine the teachings and journals of Brother Wesley! How many of your pastors are preaching what he preached? How many would be raised atop the same mobs he was if they did?
Example: presbyterians:
of your preachers and congregations, how many are hungering for a ministry of the word like that of Jonathan Edwards?
these are just two examples, and good ones, of the slide that comes with time. These brethren were only endeavoring to connect us with Jesus, the Christ, the only son of God, who alone can save us from eternal hell and the second death! Jesus came to rescue us from the kingdom of Satan adn deliver us to the light from the dark. to life from death!
these good men would be laughed or thrown out of most churches! And think of what the Apostle Paul would endure at the hands of most church boards! Staff position? He'd never get one, much less keep one.
So no matter what your model may be, I hope that all who are Christians open their homes to each other, adn admonish each other daily to follow Christ without grumbling, murmuring, dissention, envy, factions... to follow christ and work out their salvation with fear and trembling.
no matter what "model" you're in, LOVE. nOt in word, but in DEEDs, daily. Practise hospitality. let the word dwell richly in you and SING. Communities/congregations like this will shine.
if you're a church leader, watch out. Jesus is looking to see that we accomplish the equipping of such. if you struggle with envy, jealousy, and control issues driven by fear and lust for the world... watch out.
well, i hope i can indeed help someone someday somehow by the grace of God. I hope that somehow, by a miracle of grace, that these writings can encourage and sharpen your mind's understanding that Jesus is the only way, and that is good news. period.
you don't need me. you need to obey Jesus.
i recently posted that I'd love to help to start home meetings all over the city and the tri-state. I didn't realize that I've been being equipped to equip, with such an extensive resume, but I have been. Jesus snuck it in, as we have simply lived, trying to obey, daily.
so now here i am, and i'm ready and willing to help, if i can, to encourage christians to grow in Christ--as disciples who OBEY the gospel and all He has commanded us... to encourage christians to open their homes to each other and to trust in and participate in the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Body.
I am ready and willing to help. Not to hurt. not to hinder. No matter what a church's tradition, structure, polity... model. the Kingdom call is the same: Jesus has commanded us to be obedient to Him. Jesus has commissioned us to make disciples. disciples who OBEY Him.
jesus distinctly did NOT mention model issues. But if your church's tradition, polity, structure, or practice compromise basic obedience to christ, you've gone off the path in pursuit of the wold's comfort. Repent and refresh!
Example: Methodists:
examine the teachings and journals of Brother Wesley! How many of your pastors are preaching what he preached? How many would be raised atop the same mobs he was if they did?
Example: presbyterians:
of your preachers and congregations, how many are hungering for a ministry of the word like that of Jonathan Edwards?
these are just two examples, and good ones, of the slide that comes with time. These brethren were only endeavoring to connect us with Jesus, the Christ, the only son of God, who alone can save us from eternal hell and the second death! Jesus came to rescue us from the kingdom of Satan adn deliver us to the light from the dark. to life from death!
these good men would be laughed or thrown out of most churches! And think of what the Apostle Paul would endure at the hands of most church boards! Staff position? He'd never get one, much less keep one.
So no matter what your model may be, I hope that all who are Christians open their homes to each other, adn admonish each other daily to follow Christ without grumbling, murmuring, dissention, envy, factions... to follow christ and work out their salvation with fear and trembling.
no matter what "model" you're in, LOVE. nOt in word, but in DEEDs, daily. Practise hospitality. let the word dwell richly in you and SING. Communities/congregations like this will shine.
if you're a church leader, watch out. Jesus is looking to see that we accomplish the equipping of such. if you struggle with envy, jealousy, and control issues driven by fear and lust for the world... watch out.
well, i hope i can indeed help someone someday somehow by the grace of God. I hope that somehow, by a miracle of grace, that these writings can encourage and sharpen your mind's understanding that Jesus is the only way, and that is good news. period.
you don't need me. you need to obey Jesus.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
just couldn't wait
i just couldn't wait to blog this out. I'm sitting in the meeting room after a time in worship. Five others are here, there's a silence over us all. God is on the move. There was an INCREDIBLE time in the word-over an hour, together, being equipped by the Holy Spirit's voice through the Scriptures. Together, listening and sharing from Jesus among us.
Jesus.
Himself.
He is the Word, among us.
These open Jesus meetings are... indescribable.
Jesus.
Himself.
He is the Word, among us.
These open Jesus meetings are... indescribable.
Everyone and Anybody!
If you were in a Sunday Service, and the preacher/expert brother (or sister) was communicating up there, and their message was muddying the waters of the truth for the Body, what would you do?
Send an email?
Stand up and shout from the back?
Write a letter?
Start a blog?
Start your own church?
In a lot of places on Sunday mornings and other times during the week, the truth and encouragements that God wants to speak to us are put on the line. Saints all over the place cry out to God to please please please use their pastor or preacher to bring a word of instruction or encouragement to the body. Wow. that's true, and that's sad. Many of those people are constantly disappointed.
Pastors across the country are too isolated, with their degrees and "expertise" elevating them to an unrealistic higher plane. They are expected to the modern-day Moses. But in Numbers 11, Moses bewailed the reality that not everyone was a prophet, yearning for the day when the Spirit of God would be poured out on the whole community of God.
As I've seen it, housechurch, or "family model" ministry produces a profoundly effective sense of ACCOUNTABILITY in terms of teaching and the Word. What I mean is that in a big church that puts an unrealistic trust in the credentials of the minister, you get this inability to challenge, or complete thoughts and ideas that they're teaching. In house/family church, you can raise your hand and ask or add! Everyone is trusting the Holy Spirit to speak through Anybody. The entire gathered community is recognized as a vessel for the Lord to minister through.
There are leaders, and there is authority, but leadership and authority are turned toward equipping others to minister and serve... during preaching, there's a sense of the teacher "drawing" the Word out of the people listening... it is common for someone to be identified as "Loaded" with a word, Bible open on their lap, eyes bright. They are asked to share, and almost always have a clarifying addition that brings the message more fully home...
That's how it commonly fleshes out in our community, and I can't wait to help other house groups to mature in the boldness of recognition that the Holy Spirit, our teacher, is working through "anyone", as we gather in the Name of Jesus.
Now sure, there'll be flakes and fakers. But at least they'll be clearly evident to all, as they share in the vulnerability of intimacy in a small family-style meeting. They are easily identified by rank and file christians who read the word and live in obedience to God. In bigger church settings, these folks can embed in the community for years, without being challenged or helped out of their deceptions.
Beloveds let's get cracking on getting the saints equipped to minister house to house in the tri-state. This will equip them to serve in their neighborhoods in radical, ordinary faithfulness unto Christ. That will do the trick. Joy ensues.
Anyone want encouragement to start a home meeting? I'd love to help.
Send an email?
Stand up and shout from the back?
Write a letter?
Start a blog?
Start your own church?
In a lot of places on Sunday mornings and other times during the week, the truth and encouragements that God wants to speak to us are put on the line. Saints all over the place cry out to God to please please please use their pastor or preacher to bring a word of instruction or encouragement to the body. Wow. that's true, and that's sad. Many of those people are constantly disappointed.
Pastors across the country are too isolated, with their degrees and "expertise" elevating them to an unrealistic higher plane. They are expected to the modern-day Moses. But in Numbers 11, Moses bewailed the reality that not everyone was a prophet, yearning for the day when the Spirit of God would be poured out on the whole community of God.
As I've seen it, housechurch, or "family model" ministry produces a profoundly effective sense of ACCOUNTABILITY in terms of teaching and the Word. What I mean is that in a big church that puts an unrealistic trust in the credentials of the minister, you get this inability to challenge, or complete thoughts and ideas that they're teaching. In house/family church, you can raise your hand and ask or add! Everyone is trusting the Holy Spirit to speak through Anybody. The entire gathered community is recognized as a vessel for the Lord to minister through.
There are leaders, and there is authority, but leadership and authority are turned toward equipping others to minister and serve... during preaching, there's a sense of the teacher "drawing" the Word out of the people listening... it is common for someone to be identified as "Loaded" with a word, Bible open on their lap, eyes bright. They are asked to share, and almost always have a clarifying addition that brings the message more fully home...
That's how it commonly fleshes out in our community, and I can't wait to help other house groups to mature in the boldness of recognition that the Holy Spirit, our teacher, is working through "anyone", as we gather in the Name of Jesus.
Now sure, there'll be flakes and fakers. But at least they'll be clearly evident to all, as they share in the vulnerability of intimacy in a small family-style meeting. They are easily identified by rank and file christians who read the word and live in obedience to God. In bigger church settings, these folks can embed in the community for years, without being challenged or helped out of their deceptions.
Beloveds let's get cracking on getting the saints equipped to minister house to house in the tri-state. This will equip them to serve in their neighborhoods in radical, ordinary faithfulness unto Christ. That will do the trick. Joy ensues.
Anyone want encouragement to start a home meeting? I'd love to help.
Sunday Mornign Sidewalk
Just skated down to the Sidewinder and back for a quick coffee... an afternoon coffee... this morning's meeting was GOOOOOOD. We had Dan and Cheryl (sp?) in, from up north in Amish Country. Sugarcreek. Danielmatt's dad.
Dan had a stroke three months back. He's almost fully recovered, PTL. We've had the pleasure of knowing Dan for years now. Like 4 years I believe, since Dan and Cheryl first came to meeting at the Chase House. Their visits have always been sweet. They were both initially discipled in the '70's in home Jesus meetings. They see what we are doing as a "blast from the past". They are very encouraging and sweet to us all, sharing from lives lived in longing for the closeness, intimacy and truth of the "family-style" ministry of house churching and daily living together.
This morning, they took an opportunity to encourage us to keep this up. Thanks, dan and cheryl. we are praying for you and yours up North and in Athens.
We had a wonderful breakfast of a casserole that Judy prepared with me and Sam, in the Chase House kitchen, last night. We sang songs with the kids, let them go play, and got to the meeting and teaching, and praying over babies on the way and healings. We prayed for a good friend with cancer. Please lift her eup. she's been battling it for 17 years and looks like it's over. carol. lift up carol and her family.
I'm looking forward to you being able to listen to our times of meeting and sharing online. We've been recording the teaching and singing for some time, now. Just looking into what it takes to host it all... then you can hear for yourself some of the beautiful, basic, gentle Word that is coming to and through the Body, here...
After meeting, I had a conversation with one of us about starting up more adn more house church meetings across Cincinnati. This is so EASY. Just meet and press into prayer and the Word, together. Then live the day obediently and love one another deeply. loneliness disappears.
yes, we get exposed, but only to be healed.
another thing. As I've seen it, housechurch, or "family model" ministry produces a profoundly effective sense of ACCOUNTABILITY in terms of teaching and the Word. What I mean is that in a big church that puts an unrealistic trust in the credentials of the minister, you get this inability to challenge, or complete thoughts and ideas that they're teaching. In house/family church, you can raise your hand and ask or add! Everyone is trusting the Holy Spirit to speak through Anybody.
Dan had a stroke three months back. He's almost fully recovered, PTL. We've had the pleasure of knowing Dan for years now. Like 4 years I believe, since Dan and Cheryl first came to meeting at the Chase House. Their visits have always been sweet. They were both initially discipled in the '70's in home Jesus meetings. They see what we are doing as a "blast from the past". They are very encouraging and sweet to us all, sharing from lives lived in longing for the closeness, intimacy and truth of the "family-style" ministry of house churching and daily living together.
This morning, they took an opportunity to encourage us to keep this up. Thanks, dan and cheryl. we are praying for you and yours up North and in Athens.
We had a wonderful breakfast of a casserole that Judy prepared with me and Sam, in the Chase House kitchen, last night. We sang songs with the kids, let them go play, and got to the meeting and teaching, and praying over babies on the way and healings. We prayed for a good friend with cancer. Please lift her eup. she's been battling it for 17 years and looks like it's over. carol. lift up carol and her family.
I'm looking forward to you being able to listen to our times of meeting and sharing online. We've been recording the teaching and singing for some time, now. Just looking into what it takes to host it all... then you can hear for yourself some of the beautiful, basic, gentle Word that is coming to and through the Body, here...
After meeting, I had a conversation with one of us about starting up more adn more house church meetings across Cincinnati. This is so EASY. Just meet and press into prayer and the Word, together. Then live the day obediently and love one another deeply. loneliness disappears.
yes, we get exposed, but only to be healed.
another thing. As I've seen it, housechurch, or "family model" ministry produces a profoundly effective sense of ACCOUNTABILITY in terms of teaching and the Word. What I mean is that in a big church that puts an unrealistic trust in the credentials of the minister, you get this inability to challenge, or complete thoughts and ideas that they're teaching. In house/family church, you can raise your hand and ask or add! Everyone is trusting the Holy Spirit to speak through Anybody.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Sam Drinks out of a Mason Jar...
sam is a salt of the earth guy. really great to have him at the house. Last night we all had pizza before judy's and my date night. really fun to have a family dinner... and there's sam, drinking milk out of a mason jar... i find drinking out of mason jars particularly funny. why? I don't know. I just do. it speaks of simpler times, i guess...
Friday, November 16, 2007
Another Great Thursday Night
last night, thursday, we had our second "men's table" time at the Chase House... Sam, Chris and I got into the word on topics ranging from wisdom, honesty, integrity, HELL, the existence of the spiritual realm, and a testimony of a resurrection from the dead in Myanmar (Burma).
There are fewer memories sweeter to me, in my sojourn among Jesus' People, than sitting around a table with a few disciples, together, learning at the feet of the Master.
One interesting thing that got said was:
If you put me into a press and pushed me hard, I'd probably answer your questions about the Scriptures to the tune of a fundamentalist. I believe that the Scripture has been preserved in translation through the ages... I believe all manner of things because I believe Scripture...all manner of things that folks might find "bizarre" or even terrible...
Why do I believe in these things? Because its easy for me. I'm a believer. I believe in Him. I believe Scripture. Why am I a believer? I'll blog about that on Lewminator, now.
There are fewer memories sweeter to me, in my sojourn among Jesus' People, than sitting around a table with a few disciples, together, learning at the feet of the Master.
One interesting thing that got said was:
If you put me into a press and pushed me hard, I'd probably answer your questions about the Scriptures to the tune of a fundamentalist. I believe that the Scripture has been preserved in translation through the ages... I believe all manner of things because I believe Scripture...all manner of things that folks might find "bizarre" or even terrible...
Why do I believe in these things? Because its easy for me. I'm a believer. I believe in Him. I believe Scripture. Why am I a believer? I'll blog about that on Lewminator, now.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Welcome Sam
I'll try to put a pic of sam into this post later, but Welcome to Sam, our newest resident at the Chase House (1320 Chase)... aaw, who'm I kidding. It's Lew and Judy's house... not a program, but a family house...
the mission of Jesus is completely couched in terms of FAMILY. Approaching "mission" outside of a family model is bosh. bosh, I say. Sooooooooo many pastors today are bemoaning the lack of "family" in their church structures, as the structures of their churches work against the reality of the Kingdom of God:
Jesus has made us a family.
So we welcome Sam to our home. He was family even before we met him, and we're glad to have him on the 3rd floor. Since he's come, we've had more Bible at the table, more uplifting conversations, more of Jesus around the house.
We're messy, and sometimes sorry for it. We're busy, and often pulled in many directions, as Judy continues to travel frequently which makes Lew the "single-dad pastor of a family-model church". And sam looks like he's doing well with it...
Love.
Development: Boiler/cincinnati Enquirer
For the last two years, we've known our boiler in the Chase House is on its last legs. When the fire comes on, rivulets of water trickle down through cracks in the big cast-iron thingy-thing.
the plates on the front that seal off the deadly gas's way into the house fell off all the time. I fashioned holders out of coat-hangers and slathered them down with boiler cement to hold them on. so far so good...
Well, a local church pastor with some pull among the Cincinnati connected has managed to get our ministry's name on a list. the "Cincinnati Wish List". This is a list of charities that the cincinnat Enquirer (our local paper) supports with a one-time gift, around christmastime. Thank you, brother pastor. Thank you, all the well-meaning church workers. May you all be blessed richly in the knowledge and peace of Christ.
So there we are. I've had two companies in, this week. There'll be a reporter tomorrow morning to interview me, and next wee there'll be a photographer to catch the "skateboarding pastor" in action. no kidding. hilarious.
Please pray for my heart to hear, my mouth to speak, and my house to get neater, or not, as God wills.
The reality of our messiness is a testimony to the grace of God. The fact that i'm writing this, with the scriptures open on the table, having already had opps to share Jesus with neighbors, is worth the infrequency of vacuuming... inability to do all the repairs and upkeep...
I'd trade the niceness of a well-groomed lawn for a redemptive conversation with a neighbor addicted to drugs, anyday. Would you? If you would, maybe you'd consider moving into a missionary lifestyle and loving Jesus, who is builiding His church in People, outside the camp.
the plates on the front that seal off the deadly gas's way into the house fell off all the time. I fashioned holders out of coat-hangers and slathered them down with boiler cement to hold them on. so far so good...
Well, a local church pastor with some pull among the Cincinnati connected has managed to get our ministry's name on a list. the "Cincinnati Wish List". This is a list of charities that the cincinnat Enquirer (our local paper) supports with a one-time gift, around christmastime. Thank you, brother pastor. Thank you, all the well-meaning church workers. May you all be blessed richly in the knowledge and peace of Christ.
So there we are. I've had two companies in, this week. There'll be a reporter tomorrow morning to interview me, and next wee there'll be a photographer to catch the "skateboarding pastor" in action. no kidding. hilarious.
Please pray for my heart to hear, my mouth to speak, and my house to get neater, or not, as God wills.
The reality of our messiness is a testimony to the grace of God. The fact that i'm writing this, with the scriptures open on the table, having already had opps to share Jesus with neighbors, is worth the infrequency of vacuuming... inability to do all the repairs and upkeep...
I'd trade the niceness of a well-groomed lawn for a redemptive conversation with a neighbor addicted to drugs, anyday. Would you? If you would, maybe you'd consider moving into a missionary lifestyle and loving Jesus, who is builiding His church in People, outside the camp.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Daily Proverbs
Here
is a BibleStudy i just threw down on a portion of Prov. 6. Today's the sixth. so there...
is a BibleStudy i just threw down on a portion of Prov. 6. Today's the sixth. so there...
Leveling: post frequency and NEws
I'm going to level with you. I post to this blog too infrequently. We would all be served better if I were posting twice a week, in a continuous flow of stories and thoughts from the "field", here.
But I don't. I struggle to remain on for a weekly post.
Well, that's the way it is.
But its nice to hear from Germany that I should post more. Its nice to hear from Arkansas and Georgia... yep. So thanks to all you guys who call and email me to let me know you're looking on. Got a call from Texas yesterday, mentioning reading my blog...
so here we are: the Jesus People in Cincinnati.
News:
a local coalition of churches has nominated us to the Cincinnati Enquirer's Christmas Wishlist--for the replacement of our aging and ailing boiler with an energy efficient model. Hopefully, our nomination will be successful and we'll be heating safely and efficiently.
We have switched out community/family meeting time to an actual Sunday Mornign thing. So much easier for all the babies we have among us...
At this point the kid count is:
14
13
10
6
1.5
due this week
due march
Last weekend, we had a visit by Dr. Eric, a "founding member" of our congregation. He was there through the tumultuous days of coffeeshop Biblestudy and kitchen table discipleship... soooo much tea has been drunk over 1 Peter, between us. 5 months in 1 peter, one time...
Now we're 5 years down that road, having been friends since 2002. God has seen us through so much. And things are "sweetening" around us. That's what happens in the wineskin. aging brings the sugars out. breaks them down to a form that makes us happy.
Eric had his two beautiful children with him. How incredibly good it was. Thank you, Eric, for putting us on your itinerary. Eric and his wife Amy reside in Virginia Beach, where Eric serves the Lord as a doctor. Their little ones are
Paul 2 years
Sarah 14 months.
That's a bit of news from us. Some thoughts on Scripture and Kingdom life to follow.
But I don't. I struggle to remain on for a weekly post.
Well, that's the way it is.
But its nice to hear from Germany that I should post more. Its nice to hear from Arkansas and Georgia... yep. So thanks to all you guys who call and email me to let me know you're looking on. Got a call from Texas yesterday, mentioning reading my blog...
so here we are: the Jesus People in Cincinnati.
News:
a local coalition of churches has nominated us to the Cincinnati Enquirer's Christmas Wishlist--for the replacement of our aging and ailing boiler with an energy efficient model. Hopefully, our nomination will be successful and we'll be heating safely and efficiently.
We have switched out community/family meeting time to an actual Sunday Mornign thing. So much easier for all the babies we have among us...
At this point the kid count is:
14
13
10
6
1.5
due this week
due march
Last weekend, we had a visit by Dr. Eric, a "founding member" of our congregation. He was there through the tumultuous days of coffeeshop Biblestudy and kitchen table discipleship... soooo much tea has been drunk over 1 Peter, between us. 5 months in 1 peter, one time...
Now we're 5 years down that road, having been friends since 2002. God has seen us through so much. And things are "sweetening" around us. That's what happens in the wineskin. aging brings the sugars out. breaks them down to a form that makes us happy.
Eric had his two beautiful children with him. How incredibly good it was. Thank you, Eric, for putting us on your itinerary. Eric and his wife Amy reside in Virginia Beach, where Eric serves the Lord as a doctor. Their little ones are
Paul 2 years
Sarah 14 months.
That's a bit of news from us. Some thoughts on Scripture and Kingdom life to follow.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Daily Greeting...
I've posted to Jeremiah every day. You should check it out and comment. seriously. if you read this blog, it would be great for you to drop a quick thought there. having an online resource to share a community Bible study with the whole world is a dazzling thought...
...and do you all know that Lew(I) is (am) in the Sidewinder for about 2 hours a day from about 830 till about 11? It's a time of study and being present to my neighbors. That's where I post the studies and blog entries... that's where I talk about Jesus and life with neighbors...
...so that's a good place and time to look for me...
Recent times with saints from abroad are cronicled in my blog (lewminator). Are any of you blogging? Let me know...
...and do you all know that Lew(I) is (am) in the Sidewinder for about 2 hours a day from about 830 till about 11? It's a time of study and being present to my neighbors. That's where I post the studies and blog entries... that's where I talk about Jesus and life with neighbors...
...so that's a good place and time to look for me...
Recent times with saints from abroad are cronicled in my blog (lewminator). Are any of you blogging? Let me know...
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Season of changes
We've had some changes this season, besides the weather. Our main community meeting has moved to Sunday mornings, over breakfast. With 2 babies on the way, and a one-year-old among us, evening meetings were becoming a thing of the past... On top of that, there're the 14-yr. old, 13-yr., 9-yr. and 5yr. olds... Wow! We've gone from a gritty troupe of misfit christians to being a mob of young married with children misfit christians...
Think of the babies! WHat fun we'll have with these little dudes crawling around as we pray and sing. First of the two newbies is due in November... the next in March...
Would you please join us in prayer? As usual, all this is happening in the midst of an intense level of spiritual warfare and gritty daily life, with actual, real daily problems and frictions... we need the grace of God to really flow, here...
Some of us need job changes.
The Chase house needs a sink plumbed in on the first floor...
There's a sense of dryness in regard to the things of the Spirit...
By the way, there was a notable physical healing among us last week!
And won't some of you readers out there come and visit? There are some folks we'd love to share a table with, outt there...
peace...
Think of the babies! WHat fun we'll have with these little dudes crawling around as we pray and sing. First of the two newbies is due in November... the next in March...
Would you please join us in prayer? As usual, all this is happening in the midst of an intense level of spiritual warfare and gritty daily life, with actual, real daily problems and frictions... we need the grace of God to really flow, here...
Some of us need job changes.
The Chase house needs a sink plumbed in on the first floor...
There's a sense of dryness in regard to the things of the Spirit...
By the way, there was a notable physical healing among us last week!
And won't some of you readers out there come and visit? There are some folks we'd love to share a table with, outt there...
peace...
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Psalm 119: "Gimel"
Verses 17-24 make up the third part of this acrostic psalm.
hey all, just take a look at the LANGUAGE of this psalmist!
unashamed in asking for blessing (17)
admitting blindness and craving the wonders of God's Law (18)
divorced from the world (19)
broken-souled (20)
Then check out his words on the proud--Cursed.
v.22-24
holding to integrity, having kept God's word, in the face of rulers and princes false judgments. Meditating on the word, delighting in God's counsel...
Throw down some observations, all...
hey all, just take a look at the LANGUAGE of this psalmist!
unashamed in asking for blessing (17)
admitting blindness and craving the wonders of God's Law (18)
divorced from the world (19)
broken-souled (20)
Then check out his words on the proud--Cursed.
v.22-24
holding to integrity, having kept God's word, in the face of rulers and princes false judgments. Meditating on the word, delighting in God's counsel...
Throw down some observations, all...
Monday, October 1, 2007
Yahoo! Poll
Hey all, click the link for the yahoo! group and take the new poll! Thanks to Sarah True for creating it.
Monday Check-In
Yesterday was Sunday,and what a joy it was to listen to the recordings of teaching and sharing in our meetings. I listened to them as I went to sleep.
Everybody, you can get copies of this stuff from me. I keep them on a flash drive, and you can get that and have the meetings' stuff for yourself...
Missing a meeting can be a drag. Its nice to be able to catch the worship and teaching.
It is my intent to edit out a lot of the stuff and leave the major prophecies and teaching and musical worship in a file, so you don't have a lot of "throw away" stuff... makes for a smaller file, too.
But I haven't got a good system worked out for that, so for now, we're sticking to the raw file size we have.
The guiding principle of our meetings is 1 Cor. 14:26.
"What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church."
These are recordings of meetings where everything done is for the strengthening of the Church. That's the purpose. jesus as leader, we are His people, and he is speaking through the body, and receiving our worship.
The love is almost tangible in the laughter and joy of our meetings.
that's something I noticed: laughter and joking and joy all around, without losing the gravity of the Truth engaging us...
I look up and look forward to the Lord breaking forth among us in more and more incredible ways, only let us love one another deeply b/c love is really the whole thing. I am sure that seasons of worship, and powerful miracles lie ahead of us. In order to steward that kind of power, let's LOVE deeply, adn without hypocrisy.
also, love one another.
and... love.
most important of all: He loves us.
Everybody, you can get copies of this stuff from me. I keep them on a flash drive, and you can get that and have the meetings' stuff for yourself...
Missing a meeting can be a drag. Its nice to be able to catch the worship and teaching.
It is my intent to edit out a lot of the stuff and leave the major prophecies and teaching and musical worship in a file, so you don't have a lot of "throw away" stuff... makes for a smaller file, too.
But I haven't got a good system worked out for that, so for now, we're sticking to the raw file size we have.
The guiding principle of our meetings is 1 Cor. 14:26.
"What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church."
These are recordings of meetings where everything done is for the strengthening of the Church. That's the purpose. jesus as leader, we are His people, and he is speaking through the body, and receiving our worship.
The love is almost tangible in the laughter and joy of our meetings.
that's something I noticed: laughter and joking and joy all around, without losing the gravity of the Truth engaging us...
I look up and look forward to the Lord breaking forth among us in more and more incredible ways, only let us love one another deeply b/c love is really the whole thing. I am sure that seasons of worship, and powerful miracles lie ahead of us. In order to steward that kind of power, let's LOVE deeply, adn without hypocrisy.
also, love one another.
and... love.
most important of all: He loves us.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Today's Psalm Passage
Besides a constant read through Proverbs, we could also be drinking regularly from the incredible engagement with God that is the Psalms. There we will find, not "theology" in the Western sense, but a real-life interaction between saint and savior.
Todays for me was, of all things, psalm 119. it's way too big for me to just read through one time one day, so I'm going to take it in it's own acrostic division. (acrostic means that each section's first lines start with a letter of the alphabet, in order)
Today's acrostic section was the first one, Aleph. (bet is the next one aleph-bet/alphabet)
In it I had v. 6 jump out.
"6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands."
there's a presupposition here--a pre-existing condition: SHAME, when the saint considers the commands of God.
Does shame grab you when you read the Word? Do you steer clear of the Law or the old testament because you"don't understand them"? does "don't understand them" really mean that you don't like the feelings you have when you read them because they make you feel fear and shame?
and that confuses you?
that has confused me, too.
In this Psalm, we get permission to let the shame abide with you for a bit. The saint here is ashamed, and he's powering into the Word anyway. That shame is an honest shame, not a condemnation, but a humility before God.
He feels shame when he reads the commandment of God. In Romans it says that the Law is our tutor to bring us deep into Christ. Elswhere, it says that the word the Law, or the sayings of the wise, ar elike "goads".
"goads" are things that poke the oxen when they're attached to a cart, to keep them from kicking, or backing up on you, or getting out of line. Shamgar, one of the judges, used an ox goad (like a sharp stick--not attached to the cart) to kill a bunch of dudes...
If you feel "goaded" (we all do from time to time), don't pull away. push through. there's good news on the other side of that shame.
Those goads will keep you on the Path (who is Jesus), in the Way (who is Jesus).
So consider the Ancient Path, spoken of in today's Jeremiah passage on the Jeremiah study site (ch. 18).
Check out Jeremiah 6:16
Prov. 12:28
and that song, as well.
Todays for me was, of all things, psalm 119. it's way too big for me to just read through one time one day, so I'm going to take it in it's own acrostic division. (acrostic means that each section's first lines start with a letter of the alphabet, in order)
Today's acrostic section was the first one, Aleph. (bet is the next one aleph-bet/alphabet)
In it I had v. 6 jump out.
"6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands."
there's a presupposition here--a pre-existing condition: SHAME, when the saint considers the commands of God.
Does shame grab you when you read the Word? Do you steer clear of the Law or the old testament because you"don't understand them"? does "don't understand them" really mean that you don't like the feelings you have when you read them because they make you feel fear and shame?
and that confuses you?
that has confused me, too.
In this Psalm, we get permission to let the shame abide with you for a bit. The saint here is ashamed, and he's powering into the Word anyway. That shame is an honest shame, not a condemnation, but a humility before God.
He feels shame when he reads the commandment of God. In Romans it says that the Law is our tutor to bring us deep into Christ. Elswhere, it says that the word the Law, or the sayings of the wise, ar elike "goads".
"goads" are things that poke the oxen when they're attached to a cart, to keep them from kicking, or backing up on you, or getting out of line. Shamgar, one of the judges, used an ox goad (like a sharp stick--not attached to the cart) to kill a bunch of dudes...
If you feel "goaded" (we all do from time to time), don't pull away. push through. there's good news on the other side of that shame.
Those goads will keep you on the Path (who is Jesus), in the Way (who is Jesus).
So consider the Ancient Path, spoken of in today's Jeremiah passage on the Jeremiah study site (ch. 18).
Check out Jeremiah 6:16
Prov. 12:28
and that song, as well.
One thing I want
One thing I want, as Lew--the so-called "Leader" among the saints of Just some Jesus People here in Northside (i'm just your brother: a servant)--is to have a lot of jesus' people in the scripture, regularly, together.
One simple way I want to equip that is to commend everyone to the Proverbs, daily. These are the sayings and riddles of the wise, inspired by the Holy Spirit. There are 31 Chapters, so you only need to follow the enumeration of the calendar to all be together.
Today is the 28th, and among today's proverbs I found v.25.
"He who is of a proud heart
stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the LORD
will be prospered.
I thought, "Hey, if you have strife and interpersonal tension surrounding you all the time, as many of us experience in our lives, maybe this proverb contains a secret for you." Did you ever wonder why, during some seasons of our earthly sojourn, we are met with strife at every turn? Sometimes it's the fruit of our own heart and lips. We are proud, sometimes, and during those seasons we reap that fruit in strife.
Do I have a proud heart that is stirring up strife around me? Very interesting. I know that this question has been helpful to me today. I pray it will build you as well.
And I'm challenged at the balance of the proverb--that trusting in the LORD will bring a prosperity. I can see so many places in my heart where I haven't trusted the Lord. I need to. So do you. It will smooth the way, as people push us and poke us, stab at us...
...as circumstances that terrify our inner child rise up, and we trust the LORD, we'll have peace and our gentleness will be evident to all.
Gentleness replaces defensiveness. It takes trust in the LORD. The solution to the strife that surrounds us isn't in resolving the relationship with that person, sometimes. (usually) The solution is in deepening our surrender to Trust Jesus.
...and that's good news.
One simple way I want to equip that is to commend everyone to the Proverbs, daily. These are the sayings and riddles of the wise, inspired by the Holy Spirit. There are 31 Chapters, so you only need to follow the enumeration of the calendar to all be together.
Today is the 28th, and among today's proverbs I found v.25.
"He who is of a proud heart
stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the LORD
will be prospered.
I thought, "Hey, if you have strife and interpersonal tension surrounding you all the time, as many of us experience in our lives, maybe this proverb contains a secret for you." Did you ever wonder why, during some seasons of our earthly sojourn, we are met with strife at every turn? Sometimes it's the fruit of our own heart and lips. We are proud, sometimes, and during those seasons we reap that fruit in strife.
Do I have a proud heart that is stirring up strife around me? Very interesting. I know that this question has been helpful to me today. I pray it will build you as well.
And I'm challenged at the balance of the proverb--that trusting in the LORD will bring a prosperity. I can see so many places in my heart where I haven't trusted the Lord. I need to. So do you. It will smooth the way, as people push us and poke us, stab at us...
...as circumstances that terrify our inner child rise up, and we trust the LORD, we'll have peace and our gentleness will be evident to all.
Gentleness replaces defensiveness. It takes trust in the LORD. The solution to the strife that surrounds us isn't in resolving the relationship with that person, sometimes. (usually) The solution is in deepening our surrender to Trust Jesus.
...and that's good news.
The View Cohost on Evolution and "Is the world flat?"
click the title to see something kind of sad. People all over the world are mocking the lady who didn't care about the shape of the world, and has no love for the high-minded science community's push for dominance...
There's something funny, something sad, something beautiful to this lady's moment in this spotlight. Turn it, like a diamond, and catch the sparkles. Then pray for a lady whose life in the spotlight could well kill her.
Pray for Brittney, Nicole, and Paris, too, eh? Shoot. Three generations o f hollywood have proven the repeated experiment: American Fame Kills. Destroys and poisons.
But there is an answer! Turn to Jesus and He will show you the real Life that can live inside to outside. Holiness born of knowing the incomprehensible love of Father God for you.
Set the struggles about evolution, the crusades, "the god delusion", "the davinci code" and all that aside. You know that's just people trippin.
Look at Jesus.
Read the gospels and look at Jesus.
listen to jesus.
He is altogether wonderful.
There's something funny, something sad, something beautiful to this lady's moment in this spotlight. Turn it, like a diamond, and catch the sparkles. Then pray for a lady whose life in the spotlight could well kill her.
Pray for Brittney, Nicole, and Paris, too, eh? Shoot. Three generations o f hollywood have proven the repeated experiment: American Fame Kills. Destroys and poisons.
But there is an answer! Turn to Jesus and He will show you the real Life that can live inside to outside. Holiness born of knowing the incomprehensible love of Father God for you.
Set the struggles about evolution, the crusades, "the god delusion", "the davinci code" and all that aside. You know that's just people trippin.
Look at Jesus.
Read the gospels and look at Jesus.
listen to jesus.
He is altogether wonderful.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Here's some Good Reading
Brother Sam's dishing up the good stuff at "heartsburning". download the pdf of that thing. I'm reading it as I type... kinda...
Forbearance (click me)
Last night, during weekly prayer, a word emerged to our little community:
clean out all our unforgiveness and join into Jesus' forgiveness for each other and everyone in our lives...
it was a call of good news to live in the lightness and joy of forgiveness.
We saw that the standard of the Word, who is Jesus, is to forgive and love as Christ has loved and forgiven us. Not just to love as we love ourselves. So we're forgetting about ourselves, and looking intently at Jesus, to learn anew how to live this...
action points emerged:
1. Confession of bitterness/unforgiveness\
2. Willingness to forgive applied
3. perseverance in prayer, intently, for offending persons
4. Doing good, led by the Spirit, to those who have done us wrong.
5. BLESSING those who have cursed us...
When Jesus talked about us being Perfect, He was talking about us loving our enemies! This is the culmination of likeness to Him. Think on these things...
clean out all our unforgiveness and join into Jesus' forgiveness for each other and everyone in our lives...
it was a call of good news to live in the lightness and joy of forgiveness.
We saw that the standard of the Word, who is Jesus, is to forgive and love as Christ has loved and forgiven us. Not just to love as we love ourselves. So we're forgetting about ourselves, and looking intently at Jesus, to learn anew how to live this...
action points emerged:
1. Confession of bitterness/unforgiveness\
2. Willingness to forgive applied
3. perseverance in prayer, intently, for offending persons
4. Doing good, led by the Spirit, to those who have done us wrong.
5. BLESSING those who have cursed us...
When Jesus talked about us being Perfect, He was talking about us loving our enemies! This is the culmination of likeness to Him. Think on these things...
Monday, September 24, 2007
New Meeting Times
With the new season of Fall comes a change in our meeting style, here among Jesus People: Northside... that's not an official title. We're still essentially nameless outside the Name above all Names.
SUN. NIGHTS 6PM:
Our Sunday Night meetings will follow a more open format, with a greater emphasis on whatever the Holy Spirit is doing, but without the meal. All are welcome but be warned, this is a Holy spirit hot spot. "The Stuff" happens here. you may well be found in the "hot seat" or knocked down by God.
SUN. MORNINGS 10AM:
For resident community and committed disciples, we have a Sunday Breakfast and short meeting. If you are committed to Jesus, and you feel drawn to the common mission of our community, this is a good time to share. It is a time focused on the local, committed community--the jesus people who live as family in Northside...
WED. PM 8:30PM:
Our local family/mission has prayer on Wednesday nights at 4200 Chambers (the True House) at 8:30 pm.
check out our Yahoo group and get signed up to get messages and ask questions.
SUN. NIGHTS 6PM:
Our Sunday Night meetings will follow a more open format, with a greater emphasis on whatever the Holy Spirit is doing, but without the meal. All are welcome but be warned, this is a Holy spirit hot spot. "The Stuff" happens here. you may well be found in the "hot seat" or knocked down by God.
SUN. MORNINGS 10AM:
For resident community and committed disciples, we have a Sunday Breakfast and short meeting. If you are committed to Jesus, and you feel drawn to the common mission of our community, this is a good time to share. It is a time focused on the local, committed community--the jesus people who live as family in Northside...
WED. PM 8:30PM:
Our local family/mission has prayer on Wednesday nights at 4200 Chambers (the True House) at 8:30 pm.
check out our Yahoo group and get signed up to get messages and ask questions.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
too much to lose?
One time Bob Dylan got interviewed by Time Magazihttp://www2.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifne. I saw vid of that interview . One of the things Dylly said stuck with me:
"They've got too much to lose by printing the truth..."
in criticism of Time, and explanation of his opinion that it wasn't a source of true knowledge of what's happening in the world.
he thought a pic of a tramp vomiting into the sewer next to a pic of mr. rockefeller would do better at communicating to the world what's really hapening in the world.
What about us, the Church?
In America, we have much too much the same problem.
Credibility? To whom? Whose credibility have we lost?
Bob's.
God's.
Look at our buildings.
Look at our romance with power.
Look at our disconnection and distance from Jesus, in all his guises.
Look at our meetings and member swapping...
I think some of us have a LOT to lose by speaking the truth. Pastors, brothers and sisters, do you fear that loss?
My brother Brian's church is selling their building. They can't justify the inability to do the basics of Christian generosity for the sake of a brick and mortar identifier... niiiiiice. solid.
think on it...
"They've got too much to lose by printing the truth..."
in criticism of Time, and explanation of his opinion that it wasn't a source of true knowledge of what's happening in the world.
he thought a pic of a tramp vomiting into the sewer next to a pic of mr. rockefeller would do better at communicating to the world what's really hapening in the world.
What about us, the Church?
In America, we have much too much the same problem.
Credibility? To whom? Whose credibility have we lost?
Bob's.
God's.
Look at our buildings.
Look at our romance with power.
Look at our disconnection and distance from Jesus, in all his guises.
Look at our meetings and member swapping...
I think some of us have a LOT to lose by speaking the truth. Pastors, brothers and sisters, do you fear that loss?
My brother Brian's church is selling their building. They can't justify the inability to do the basics of Christian generosity for the sake of a brick and mortar identifier... niiiiiice. solid.
think on it...
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Crime and Darkness
In this neighborhood (check out Lewminator for the news link) we've been having a LOT of crime for the last 20 years. Lately there's been a push from the city and some well-monied groups (glbtq) to nice-ify our area...
The tension on the streets is thick. When I walk with my family down the sidewalks I hear the loud comments about white people forcing out the black people. Cinci is a terribly divided city. What's new on planet earth?
Well, for one thing, Jesus has come. He has brought light to this dark world. When I walk these streets, my imagination strays to the reality that I walk among angels, both good and evil...
...that one day I will stand in judgment of angels and nations...
...that any time He could return...
...that hard times are coming on the churches that love the world...
...that great joy lies before the saints who persevere...
all our bikes got stolen, again (like 3rd time)
a neighbor kid now lives as a son in my house (check lewminator)
five households now call Northside their home as Mission...
we live for His pleasure...
being a candle is precious in such a dark world. this little light of mine...
Since
Since that last post, I've done four months with the Company, resigned to fulfil my work as a pastor in the Body, met other likeminded folks in the church, and seen God moving to get out little band unified and mature, in the 'hood. Check my Lewminator link to see what is up in my head. I'll be dropping more stuff about the hood here...
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Verse of Day
Hey all... this morning, after yesterday's Grand Opening of the Delhi Skatepark, I got up, met with Abe B, pastor of a new church plant in our 'hood, plotted musical stuff for their Grand Opening...
Grand Openings are kind of the theme of our life here. There are all these new marriages, Chris and Sheena just moved into a GREAT place (grand?) right across the street in, of all places 1325 Chase--the house we were trying to buy a while ago...
Today's Biblegateway verse was Romans 1:20.
I spent yesterday with people whom I respect, love, and work with. These are excellent people to me. They are new friends, and I prefer their company to that of many. They are not like me. They don't have a Jesus Fixation. I like them. I don't need them to affirm me, or my Fixation. My Fixation causes me to like them better and deeper the more I know them.
In fact, the very Fixation of Jesus makes me so happy to be with my friends, and to work all the more for them...
This verse says that those outside Fixation will not be able to criticize the justice of God on the day of Judgment. I say "yeah." But what excuse do we who claim Fixation say to excuse our lack of genuine affection for one another and those outside our self-affirming clubs?
"Sinners" flocked to Jesus. Why?
His reputation was mud. May mine be, too.
Sinners flocked to jesus. Jesus was drawn to them, too.
we are indeed without excuse, before God. None of us really wants to fight that fight. We know we're wrong and He's right.
But the Great News is that there has been a Grand Opening of God's heart of love to us. He is saying he wants a Grand Opening of our hearts, too.
I'm loving my Grand Openings. I need them.
Love.
Grand Openings are kind of the theme of our life here. There are all these new marriages, Chris and Sheena just moved into a GREAT place (grand?) right across the street in, of all places 1325 Chase--the house we were trying to buy a while ago...
Today's Biblegateway verse was Romans 1:20.
I spent yesterday with people whom I respect, love, and work with. These are excellent people to me. They are new friends, and I prefer their company to that of many. They are not like me. They don't have a Jesus Fixation. I like them. I don't need them to affirm me, or my Fixation. My Fixation causes me to like them better and deeper the more I know them.
In fact, the very Fixation of Jesus makes me so happy to be with my friends, and to work all the more for them...
This verse says that those outside Fixation will not be able to criticize the justice of God on the day of Judgment. I say "yeah." But what excuse do we who claim Fixation say to excuse our lack of genuine affection for one another and those outside our self-affirming clubs?
"Sinners" flocked to Jesus. Why?
His reputation was mud. May mine be, too.
Sinners flocked to jesus. Jesus was drawn to them, too.
we are indeed without excuse, before God. None of us really wants to fight that fight. We know we're wrong and He's right.
But the Great News is that there has been a Grand Opening of God's heart of love to us. He is saying he wants a Grand Opening of our hearts, too.
I'm loving my Grand Openings. I need them.
Love.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Peter
Peter from St. Paul:
intriguing comments. Thank you so much.
shoot me an email and we can talk some about stuff. I'd love it. Thanks for the encouragement...
intriguing comments. Thank you so much.
shoot me an email and we can talk some about stuff. I'd love it. Thanks for the encouragement...
Monday, April 16, 2007
What Lew is always freaking out about...
When the Christian life becomes a life-
style and no longer a relationship with a Per-
son—
rather than growing in the grace and
knowledge of the Savior, we will develop in
the art of refining, polishing, and perfecting
the flesh.
Then we can have the programs
and activities, methods and formulas, strate-
gies and procedures, systems and theologies,
political involvement and community ser-
vice
...religious causes...
“how-to” seminars
and self-help books...
and even outstanding
character qualities—
all without Christ as
our sufficiency!
Our flesh is very creative
and knows how to make itself appear and
act spiritual. But it is still the flesh, and it is
rotten to the core!
Jerry Benjamin, Simply Singular: Is
Christ Prominent or Preeminent?, 22-23
style and no longer a relationship with a Per-
son—
rather than growing in the grace and
knowledge of the Savior, we will develop in
the art of refining, polishing, and perfecting
the flesh.
Then we can have the programs
and activities, methods and formulas, strate-
gies and procedures, systems and theologies,
political involvement and community ser-
vice
...religious causes...
“how-to” seminars
and self-help books...
and even outstanding
character qualities—
all without Christ as
our sufficiency!
Our flesh is very creative
and knows how to make itself appear and
act spiritual. But it is still the flesh, and it is
rotten to the core!
Jerry Benjamin, Simply Singular: Is
Christ Prominent or Preeminent?, 22-23
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Lew, are you losing it?
I'm going to have trouble articulating some of my reactions over the next few months.
A lot of you know that, over the last 5 years, I have toured around local church-meetings on Sunday mornings while hosting the Church for dinner, songs, scriptures, prophetic words, and spiritual ministry. During this time I have not enjoyed much of what I've experienced, frankly stated.
I've been waiting, open minded, for the Real Jesus of the Bible, who is all radical, to really "show up" in these settings.
He doesn't.
Now, you may be a pastor, or a church leader. You may be one of the dedicated, devoted, busy people who feel pain when I say that. I have felt your pain. You have felt your pain. But is it so inconcievable that we (american churchgoers) have really messed this thing up? That we've settled for much less? That we, as church-culturers, have sold out? sellouts.
We have. You have. and this is good news--that will cost a lot.
read this
and let's weep.
talktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalk
A lot of you know that, over the last 5 years, I have toured around local church-meetings on Sunday mornings while hosting the Church for dinner, songs, scriptures, prophetic words, and spiritual ministry. During this time I have not enjoyed much of what I've experienced, frankly stated.
I've been waiting, open minded, for the Real Jesus of the Bible, who is all radical, to really "show up" in these settings.
He doesn't.
Now, you may be a pastor, or a church leader. You may be one of the dedicated, devoted, busy people who feel pain when I say that. I have felt your pain. You have felt your pain. But is it so inconcievable that we (american churchgoers) have really messed this thing up? That we've settled for much less? That we, as church-culturers, have sold out? sellouts.
We have. You have. and this is good news--that will cost a lot.
read this
and let's weep.
talktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalktalk
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Loving versus "Reaching"
Every time I hear Christians talk about "Reaching" the "lost" I get a little bit of throw up in the back of my mouth. Why?
You know, I'm around a whole lot of people in a week, lately. My two professions: Renegade Jesus People pastoral brutha, and Unpaid Rep for Effort Skateboards, land me in diverse groups. And one thing I'm getting is--INTOLERANT.
I'm getting intolerant of the condesceding way that well-intentioned, Christianized people talk about people who aren't Christianized... I see more Jesus in a day skating and repping to shops than I see in a week of the sunday schools I used to be supposed to organize.
I see people hanging in there.
I see people holding on for hope.
I see people living their dreams.
I see people sacrificing so others can have more.
I see people who suffer and don't complain.
I see people whose stories contain more danger and sorrow than mine...
and I see Jesus--the One from the Bible--scandalizing well-intentioned (we'll talk about how well, later) genteel folks by totally not judging the profanity and obscenity, depravity and despair, materialism and sensuality, of these people.
he isn't telling them what they already know.
he isn't reaching them with some package of truths...
He is LOVING them.
that means he takes care of them.
he shares with them.
he gives them what they need.
he doesn't "i told you so" them.
he doesn't cold shoulder them if they're gay, or lesbian, or on drugs, or smell bad, or have mental problems...
he also doesn't invite them to some meeting where their life is supposed to change.
so, so many of the people I know already have no problem believing in Jesus, outside the fact that the man just plain never shows up. He is repped by a church system that embodies the very things that Jesus railed on.
what a wierd planet.
So i hate the language of "reaching", when I am experiencing the Jesus of Scripture so much more powerfully among the "unreached" than I have among the "reached". Isn't this language evidence of a mentality? and this mentality... does it embody the Scripture in Matt. 9:12-13?
Jesus said it isn't the insiders that he came for, but the outsiders. In adopting the language of "reaching", and equating success with meeting attendance, haven't we become the very ones for whom jesus did NOT come?
In being "outside" i find: Myself. there. that's where I am.
I'm continually refreshed in my amazement at forgiveness.
I'm refreshed in my appreciation of the Biblical teachings on grace.
I'm broken by the story of the cross...
and the Spirit fills my life, and my mind...
less and less tolerant...
o how the fallen have become mighty.
You know, I'm around a whole lot of people in a week, lately. My two professions: Renegade Jesus People pastoral brutha, and Unpaid Rep for Effort Skateboards, land me in diverse groups. And one thing I'm getting is--INTOLERANT.
I'm getting intolerant of the condesceding way that well-intentioned, Christianized people talk about people who aren't Christianized... I see more Jesus in a day skating and repping to shops than I see in a week of the sunday schools I used to be supposed to organize.
I see people hanging in there.
I see people holding on for hope.
I see people living their dreams.
I see people sacrificing so others can have more.
I see people who suffer and don't complain.
I see people whose stories contain more danger and sorrow than mine...
and I see Jesus--the One from the Bible--scandalizing well-intentioned (we'll talk about how well, later) genteel folks by totally not judging the profanity and obscenity, depravity and despair, materialism and sensuality, of these people.
he isn't telling them what they already know.
he isn't reaching them with some package of truths...
He is LOVING them.
that means he takes care of them.
he shares with them.
he gives them what they need.
he doesn't "i told you so" them.
he doesn't cold shoulder them if they're gay, or lesbian, or on drugs, or smell bad, or have mental problems...
he also doesn't invite them to some meeting where their life is supposed to change.
so, so many of the people I know already have no problem believing in Jesus, outside the fact that the man just plain never shows up. He is repped by a church system that embodies the very things that Jesus railed on.
what a wierd planet.
So i hate the language of "reaching", when I am experiencing the Jesus of Scripture so much more powerfully among the "unreached" than I have among the "reached". Isn't this language evidence of a mentality? and this mentality... does it embody the Scripture in Matt. 9:12-13?
Jesus said it isn't the insiders that he came for, but the outsiders. In adopting the language of "reaching", and equating success with meeting attendance, haven't we become the very ones for whom jesus did NOT come?
In being "outside" i find: Myself. there. that's where I am.
I'm continually refreshed in my amazement at forgiveness.
I'm refreshed in my appreciation of the Biblical teachings on grace.
I'm broken by the story of the cross...
and the Spirit fills my life, and my mind...
less and less tolerant...
o how the fallen have become mighty.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Unused names of Jesus
Isaiah 49:7
"Thus says the LORD,
The Redeemer of Israel,
their Holy One,
To Him whom man
despises,
To Him whom the nation
abhors,
To the Servant of rulers:
"Kings shall see and arise,
Princes also shall
worship,
Because of the LORD who
is faithful,
The Holy One of Israel;
And He has chosen You."
This is one of those prophecies of Jesus that has God Speaking to Jesus, about the days when people will wake up and say, "Hey, Jesus is worth worshipping (divine)." If you think he may be referring to the nation of Israel here, read the whole chapter and you'll see why its basic math that this is Jesus.
If you're not used to passages like this then here is one that's similar, to stretch your mind...
But look at the names:
"...Him whom man despises..."
"...Him whom the nation abhors..."
"...the Servant of rulers..."
Are these some of the names of Jesus that don't make it onto the Zondervan roster? Along with "Friend of Sinners", "Glutton", "Drunkard", "Demoniac", "Worker of the power of Beelzebub"...
How about His description in Is. 52:14-15
There, he is called "Marred" in face and body more than anyone else! He sprinkles the nations with his blood, and kings are in awe of Him...
Jesus was a friend of sinners.
He came to love the outsiders
and fling wide the gates to God for them.
But the insiders didn't get it.
and they flung him out.
but that's how he accomplished His goal.
so now,we don't have to worry about being
flung out
by "insiders", do we?
...and I don't know exactly what I feel about the neglect of these names of Jesus. They bring me a lot of encouragement and comfort. I really like them.
...and I wonder what dark thing could cause the people who call themselves His followers to not only neglect these names of Jesus, but to lacquer Him over in such a muck of ungrace and religious form that he's hidden to the honestly hungry soul...
"Thus says the LORD,
The Redeemer of Israel,
their Holy One,
To Him whom man
despises,
To Him whom the nation
abhors,
To the Servant of rulers:
"Kings shall see and arise,
Princes also shall
worship,
Because of the LORD who
is faithful,
The Holy One of Israel;
And He has chosen You."
This is one of those prophecies of Jesus that has God Speaking to Jesus, about the days when people will wake up and say, "Hey, Jesus is worth worshipping (divine)." If you think he may be referring to the nation of Israel here, read the whole chapter and you'll see why its basic math that this is Jesus.
If you're not used to passages like this then here is one that's similar, to stretch your mind...
But look at the names:
"...Him whom man despises..."
"...Him whom the nation abhors..."
"...the Servant of rulers..."
Are these some of the names of Jesus that don't make it onto the Zondervan roster? Along with "Friend of Sinners", "Glutton", "Drunkard", "Demoniac", "Worker of the power of Beelzebub"...
How about His description in Is. 52:14-15
There, he is called "Marred" in face and body more than anyone else! He sprinkles the nations with his blood, and kings are in awe of Him...
Jesus was a friend of sinners.
He came to love the outsiders
and fling wide the gates to God for them.
But the insiders didn't get it.
and they flung him out.
but that's how he accomplished His goal.
so now,we don't have to worry about being
flung out
by "insiders", do we?
...and I don't know exactly what I feel about the neglect of these names of Jesus. They bring me a lot of encouragement and comfort. I really like them.
...and I wonder what dark thing could cause the people who call themselves His followers to not only neglect these names of Jesus, but to lacquer Him over in such a muck of ungrace and religious form that he's hidden to the honestly hungry soul...
Monday, March 19, 2007
Jim Wallis Speech re: War in Iraq
you all know I'm not a news hog, but Read Jim Wallis' speech. Don't skip it. Definitely important. We are poised, brothers and sisters. Poised.
CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE
Thoughts about Lists
Sometimes I perceive the need to say:
"There is no list of things we've done that we can prepare in this life and bring to the throne of God. We don't present credentials, there."
Matt. 7
...and...
"There is a list of things we've done that awaits us there."
Daniel 7
Rev. 20
...and...
"Though we can't bring a dossier/portfolio, what went around does really come around..."
Rev. 14
...and...
"G.I.G.O."
1 Cor.3 Trial by Fire
"There is no list of things we've done that we can prepare in this life and bring to the throne of God. We don't present credentials, there."
Matt. 7
...and...
"There is a list of things we've done that awaits us there."
Daniel 7
Rev. 20
...and...
"Though we can't bring a dossier/portfolio, what went around does really come around..."
Rev. 14
...and...
"G.I.G.O."
1 Cor.3 Trial by Fire
Sunday, March 18, 2007
One hour at the Park
Down the street two blocks is the Northside Children's Park. Seth and I go there now and then to play.
Yesterday we were there for an hour.
I played tag.
Pushed kids on swings.
Re-
connected with kids who've known us all this time.
They haven't been out much
since the cold set in...
When We'd been there for a few minutes,
a little guy, probably in the 5th grade, produced a 4 or 5 inch knife. I approached him and told him to hand it over. He passed it to his buddy. They passed it back and forth. Finally they listened to reason.
I dropped it in the sewer.
I made sure to tag that kid and include him in the games, showering blessing and fun on him. It warmed him up just fine.
Then, about 30 minutes in, we were all getting our hats stolen and chasing each other and one kid got mad, grabbed a crutch from a little girl whose leg was injured, and proceeded to pursue and menace the kid with his hat... or was it a shoe?
I don't remember, but I do remember that when he was swinging it around I grabbed it and told him to cut it out or leave the park. I was a grown-up. It takes a village.
Was that little guy going to pull a gun?
Were his family bangers who'd cap me on the way home?
I can't care about that.
I have to add a drop of Father to this 'hood while I live.
That boy left and returned with a big piece of lumber, which he menaced with. I took it again, and sent him off. He left uttering terrible threats about killing and shooting and what his cousins would do...
So that's how we played yesterday. Not a single parent around. Not a single supervising adult, outside the dope-boys on the corner.
Hey, if you're a pastor, or a church person, and you read this:
We need actual help.
The roof leaks.
Our people live skinny, without money enough to take the time to work the fields of the Lord without suffering loss in their family income.
These fields are ripe.
Why don't you help support the work in the field, so we can be more available to minister to our neighbors?
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Tom Jewel News!
Our beloved Tom has been re-classified in the KY Correctional System. He has been downgraded from Medium to Minimum Security. This means he'll move outside the big fence, and have a lot more freedoms. His visiting hours and times will change, as well as some other stuff.
He continues to serve the Lord as the Chaplain's Assistant. Keep him in prayer.
Check out this LINK to his prison.
He continues to serve the Lord as the Chaplain's Assistant. Keep him in prayer.
Check out this LINK to his prison.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
In a conversation about the political goings on of the NEA, and how my life and ministry skirt the margins of such things, I received this comment: Let them fight for the power. Interesting, and not my version of good Christians. I'm grateful you aren't joining them. You are focused on the real work of a Christian: taking care of others and spreading the word.
This from someone who has known me for decades, from a close perspective. What an age we live in. Its confusing, with the most public and obvious forms of religion called Christian so utterly subverted in what they've called a "Culture War" for "the heart and soul of our Nation".
that kind of language is utter crap.
I do recall some nationalism surrounding the purpose of Jesus. Caiaphas was the one who coined that phrase. That was the idea of those nationalistic Pharisees and Saducees who schemed up the cross. Little did they know how that cross would fulfill the Blessing on Abraham . Here I stand, grafted into the nation that they would have kept me out of. They would have voted me off the island because I was cut on the 2nd and not the 8th day, and my parents didn't wring the heads off a couple turtledoves. Amaaing.
And I marvel at the Spiritual Kingdom of Jesus--one of Many Nations, Tribes and Tongues
I marvel that this Spiritual Kingdom breaks into the physical realm, affecting the world in obvious and historical ways... yet we belong to another place...
Worthy is the Lamb Who Was Slain to receive highest Honor and Glory and Power and Praise!
As I watch that nationalistic, self-interested thing parade by--that thing that calls itself "church"--that golden fortress...that political machine... I think of how God has proclaimed that He will frustrate this world's wisdom with the folly of His wisdom.
Take a moment to consider the first 3 chapters of 1st Corinthians. Soon enough, there won't be a lot of affluence to distract us from these greater things.
This from someone who has known me for decades, from a close perspective. What an age we live in. Its confusing, with the most public and obvious forms of religion called Christian so utterly subverted in what they've called a "Culture War" for "the heart and soul of our Nation".
that kind of language is utter crap.
I do recall some nationalism surrounding the purpose of Jesus. Caiaphas was the one who coined that phrase. That was the idea of those nationalistic Pharisees and Saducees who schemed up the cross. Little did they know how that cross would fulfill the Blessing on Abraham . Here I stand, grafted into the nation that they would have kept me out of. They would have voted me off the island because I was cut on the 2nd and not the 8th day, and my parents didn't wring the heads off a couple turtledoves. Amaaing.
And I marvel at the Spiritual Kingdom of Jesus--one of Many Nations, Tribes and Tongues
I marvel that this Spiritual Kingdom breaks into the physical realm, affecting the world in obvious and historical ways... yet we belong to another place...
Worthy is the Lamb Who Was Slain to receive highest Honor and Glory and Power and Praise!
As I watch that nationalistic, self-interested thing parade by--that thing that calls itself "church"--that golden fortress...that political machine... I think of how God has proclaimed that He will frustrate this world's wisdom with the folly of His wisdom.
Take a moment to consider the first 3 chapters of 1st Corinthians. Soon enough, there won't be a lot of affluence to distract us from these greater things.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Thinness
Today I had the joy of spending minutes with Erwin, my friend pastor at North Pres., around the corner...
During the course of our conversation, he mentioned the concept of "Thinness", from Celtic Spirituality... I was fascinated by this simple concept.
The idea is that there are places in the earth where the Spiritual Realm and the Physical Realm are "closer". That is, the separation, or veil, between them is Thinner. It is very like the thinness of a veil, such as the one that separated us from the Holy of Holies, in the temple and tabernacle, before the New Covenant...
In these thin places, it is easier to percieve and participate in the Spiritual Realm. This idea isn't distinctly Christian, but has its roots (to the Celt) in pre-Xian religions... and in this case, there is a possibility that those religions are in response to an actual phenomenon.
In my view of this "Thinness", which is not a Celtic view, nor a view which is formed by my past life before Christ...
...my understanding of a "Thinness" is not formed by Celtic origins, nor by any other historical origin. My Understanding isn't formed by my past, nor that of any other person. My understanding of this and many other things is not formed by the road behind, but by the City and the King which lie ahead.
When Jeremiah tells us to look to "Ancient Paths" I look way back, past the Celts, past the Patriarch. I remember that Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I AM." In looking for this most ancient path, I find the One who says to us today, "I am the Way". Jesus, Himself. Present, now. Here...
And this place where I sit, and this air I breathe, and this earth I tread...
...become thinner. I become a conduit of the very miracle power--the very Grace of Jesus. My prayers--bowls of incense--are presented to His throne. As I am shown this by the Spirit, in the Scriptures, and as I surrender my eyes of flesh for eyes of faith, I am humbled. Whether by my sickness, or healing, weakness, or strength, persecution, or vindication, I am His fragrance.
Suddenly, every moment burgeons with immeasurable possibility. Suddenly, I can hear the wings of angels (more like a 747 going overhead than any kind of fluttering-what were the renaissance painters THINKING?)).
Thinness is upon me. And the things of this world... their value... their hold on me... it grows weaker. Like water in soup, the flavor of earthly comforts and the accoutrements of human traffic grow weaker... thinner.
I don't know about a "Celtic Way". Sounds like fun reading. Sounds like good marketing. Sounds a bit trendy, what with the whole Braveheart thing. But I do know about the One who is the Way. As I meditate on Him, His word, His Kingdom, my faith grows.
Yes, its a good thing to be a person who gets thinned. Let's get thinned.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
The Fever--for more than Cow Bell
venice beach is a bean salad, man. Over there, I'm full at ease. In LA, there is no contoversy to a guy who wants to follow Jesus... a guy who calls others to live among the poorer Americans... a guy who calls out the obvious hypocrisy in our "big house of power" way of discipleship...
Over there... well, I could do what I do and find a lot of christian folks unsurprised, and a lot of pagan folks who would be refreshed...
Here, where our city lies in a kind of "Americana Christian Culture Religious Right" political death grip, people are very very galvanized to the message of Jesus. They've been, a Billy Graham said, "innoculated" against the real message of Jesus.
Are you familiar with what Billy said about that?
Do you know what an "innoculation" or "vaccination" or "immunization" are made of? Click the links to read the Wikipedia links for those terms.
So are you familiar with that idea? It is the introduction of a weakened or dead version of the real thing in order to familiarize the immune system with the threat. This prepares the defenses to fend off the affects of the introduction of the "Real Thing".
I know it might not be nice sounding, but faith in our Lord Jesus is a lot like a virus. It is Caught long before it is Taught. It spreads through communicability. People see the hope, the joy, the righteousness, the LOVE of a true disciple. This might mean that there are fewer true disciples than we may wish. This may mean we ourselves are less true than we may have wanted to accept. Yet it is a solid analogy, that faith is like a virus... It is caught and communicated. It spreads and brings changes.
It's like a virus in reverse. Whereas a virus spreads destruction to the individual cells of a body, leading to sickness and death, the Faith I speak of spreads life to an already sick church and a dead world. An "infection" of a dead cell-=the soul of a person who is dead in sins (Eph.2)--results in an awakening to life in the Spirit. This is the whole "Born-again" thing. This is basic Bible.
So the dynamic of immunization is at work in the earth. Satan and the world he controls are in conspiracy with the godless leanings of our flesh to shake us free of the Voice of God that convicts us of sin. If we listen to the voice of God, we'll fall at His feet in worship and repentance, relying totally on the Grace given in Christ. If we keep that up, we'll be so filled with the holy spirit and the joy of our hope that others will catch the "cold". Or shall I say the "fever"?
and no amount of cow bell can touch this fever, my friends.
yet with the prevalence of weakened and dead versions of the Kingdom of God, many people are immune to the strong, true form of the Gospel of Christ... We have received a weakened version of the Gospel that doesn't touch the heart of our lives, displacing our concerns over our wealth and poverty, status and security, nationalism and materialism...
The churches of this city and this nation are often guilty of preaching "another Jesus", made up of the sayings and teachings of Jesus. Few are the times when a Sunday morning will have a "vertical" orientation, with the actual Person of Jesus centered in our worship.
We talk about him, but not to Him.
We sing about him, even about singing to him--listen to the words! It's almost unbelievable to find myself gathered with hundreds of people, every week, for months, and singing about singing to him.
Meanwhile, there aren't healings and movement of power. There's a lack of holiness and conviction of sin. There's little contrition adn repentance, since the message that bring them is not conducive to a successful 10 million dollare building project...
Do you feel me?
Isn't this starkly SUB-Christian?
Starkly so.
Yet this is the prevalent form.
How many sundays have seen the congregation LOST IN PRAYER and WORSHIP before the throne of God? How many messages of pastors on Sundays have NECESSITATED action and repentance? How many teaachers are taking up the prophetic edge and commanding the people to OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST?
a weakened gospel.
turning from it may cost us, but the benefit is JOY, LoVe, Power of the Holy Spirit...
truly a return to revolution...
Spirit-filled life...
fundamentally spiritual
bleeding grace in the world.
testifying to the resurrection and empty tomb of Jesus
laid out at his feet...
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Speckled Bird
As many of you know, there is another band of Jesus People in Northside, on our side of N-side. They are our brethren and closest neighbors. Travis, Jesse, Pete, Ben, Kelley, Fio, Jenny, and a lot of other folks--The Speckled Bird. They have chosen the name (been chosen by the Name) "Speckled Bird". So, between our neighbors the "Speckled bird", adn us "GrubbyKupp", our N-hood is overflowing with oddly named jesus people communities!
As for the name "Speckled Bird" it comes from Jer. 12:9 in the older translations. Click the Reference to see that verse in an online Bible.
and there's a famous hymn: The Great Speckled Bird, too. Click that title to see the song lyrics.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
What the House Church Movement has to say to the Institutional Church:
"YOU CAN DO IT"
models don't matter
love is the key
The Spirit gives us the power...
success robed in failure is the trademark of Jesus
God means it for good when things go "wrong".
weakness is our badge...
sorrow our door...
obscurity our bridge...
people are people...
if you ditch yours now, to have it easier somewhere else, you're going to find the exact same stuff or worse waiting for you. Otherwise, you'll have it easy and never get what jesus was trying to give you NOW and HERE...
when you hang in there and stay,
repenting and pressing into God...
sometimes its your job to lose your job
Fighting the good fight can take you through a few fields
George Washington 3:6 record
that's right. GW only won 3 of his 9 battles.
forged in the fires of failure...
valley forge. no kidding.
the truth is out there
joining Jesus, outside the camp
this is why a lot of the small group and house ministry is so small. Joining with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart can pare down the guest list...
it shouldn't be small because we "sell" small.
A sad thing is that there are people who see the Church of Jesus as divided by Models.
They are listening to "House Church". "House Church" thanks you for your attention, yet desires to point you in the direction of the Source. You know? Lisetening to the Spirit and receiving prophetic, anointed revelation...
I would be happy to see the conferences shut down, if pastors were locking themselves away, daily, seeking in prayer and fervent pursuit of God's FACE...
if the deepest and truest desire of pastors around this nation wer to see the Lord's face, we'd face a great, unified outbreak of the Holy Spirit... Spiritual Christianity that would be relevant to JEsus. He'd understand our liturgy so much better if our lives and homes were places of obedience to him...
there would be an incredible, universal unity in the Church. We'd all be about the same business. We'd all be about the same Saviour's business. We'd all be about the same message...
the same Spirit would be at work among our people, the whole time...
What would I share from "My Movement"?
That we should all consider the Ancient Paths.
that we should all 'set our hearts on Pilgrimage (ps. 84)
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
"...are the ways of them." is often translated, "who has set his heart on pilgrimage..."
My movement?
Not house church
that's simply one of many disposable methods. presently, it is just as false and farsical as anything else, when it is done in pride and without love.
My Movement is ancient and present. It is eternal and not of this world.
...talkin' some smack from the 'hood with Jesus.
models don't matter
love is the key
The Spirit gives us the power...
success robed in failure is the trademark of Jesus
God means it for good when things go "wrong".
weakness is our badge...
sorrow our door...
obscurity our bridge...
people are people...
if you ditch yours now, to have it easier somewhere else, you're going to find the exact same stuff or worse waiting for you. Otherwise, you'll have it easy and never get what jesus was trying to give you NOW and HERE...
when you hang in there and stay,
repenting and pressing into God...
sometimes its your job to lose your job
Fighting the good fight can take you through a few fields
George Washington 3:6 record
that's right. GW only won 3 of his 9 battles.
forged in the fires of failure...
valley forge. no kidding.
the truth is out there
joining Jesus, outside the camp
this is why a lot of the small group and house ministry is so small. Joining with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart can pare down the guest list...
it shouldn't be small because we "sell" small.
A sad thing is that there are people who see the Church of Jesus as divided by Models.
They are listening to "House Church". "House Church" thanks you for your attention, yet desires to point you in the direction of the Source. You know? Lisetening to the Spirit and receiving prophetic, anointed revelation...
I would be happy to see the conferences shut down, if pastors were locking themselves away, daily, seeking in prayer and fervent pursuit of God's FACE...
if the deepest and truest desire of pastors around this nation wer to see the Lord's face, we'd face a great, unified outbreak of the Holy Spirit... Spiritual Christianity that would be relevant to JEsus. He'd understand our liturgy so much better if our lives and homes were places of obedience to him...
there would be an incredible, universal unity in the Church. We'd all be about the same business. We'd all be about the same Saviour's business. We'd all be about the same message...
the same Spirit would be at work among our people, the whole time...
What would I share from "My Movement"?
That we should all consider the Ancient Paths.
that we should all 'set our hearts on Pilgrimage (ps. 84)
Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.
Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.
They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.
O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.
Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed.
For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
"...are the ways of them." is often translated, "who has set his heart on pilgrimage..."
My movement?
Not house church
that's simply one of many disposable methods. presently, it is just as false and farsical as anything else, when it is done in pride and without love.
My Movement is ancient and present. It is eternal and not of this world.
...talkin' some smack from the 'hood with Jesus.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
How one of the most devout young men I know is finding Jesus, again.
Read the linked post by clicking on this: POST
This was written by Jesse. Read back in his blog and you'll see he's harder core than you, than me, than our local mega church... and look at how he despises that. He considers it nothing, compared to JESUS.
He lost Jesus: his focus. His center... He was myopic. He was blind...
prayerless
loveless
full of evil...
this describes me
and this describes our times.
and the only way out is to do what Jesse is doing: GET OUT.
Look at him. he did what Jesus said: sell all, give away, come, follow...
look at that.
there's a guy who actually TRIED it.
who's next?
Who'll be the next person to join the throng of those who cast it all down to follow, to wallow, to worship at the feet of Jesus?
honestly, all our religion is so disingenuous to the world's eyes. We deny christ in our constant affluence.
we deny him by letting each other be poor.
if, just in the church, we started to do what Jesus said-just to our brothers and sisters...
like Zach's blog has posted a couple times: Let's agree to just not kill one another--let the christians of the world just stop killing each other... just that...
or let's stop picking our neighborhood by its safety and schools. Lets pick it by the probability that loving our neighbor will destroy darkness.
Who is moving to Mississippi this year?
who is moving to Louisiana this yera?
Who is going to go to kolkata? that's where the americans go to get deloused, spiritually. Mama T's ghost roams the dorms there, speaking her sweet history of abandonment to Jesus into the ears of sleeping CEO's.
If you're going to LIVE for Jesus, please let me know. It gets lonely hearing and speaking like this. It gets lonely knowing this. It gets lonely seeing people smile and nod, glazing over when the "rhetoric" gets too deep for them.
Who is moving to a troubled neighborhood?
who is going to neighbor up with Rick and Jackie? Lord knows they're too overwhelmed working in the church for peanuts (a crime-for shame to be that way) that they can hardly make it 3 hoods over to us for prayer adn fellowship.
they need the church to come to them.
how much of this whole thing is just jockeying for comfort and self-affirmation?
to worship in song, get in our lexus, drive home to a 200 thousand dollar mortgage and a 1000 dollar lawnmower... on a street of a hundred such lives... completely unconnected in any true way...
is this somehow acceptable?
where's the mourning over this?
there's barely a soft questioning of it.
what about Jesus?
didn't we have to push Him aside a long time ago to wind up here?
Let's be honest and get on our faces and beg him back into the house.
This was written by Jesse. Read back in his blog and you'll see he's harder core than you, than me, than our local mega church... and look at how he despises that. He considers it nothing, compared to JESUS.
He lost Jesus: his focus. His center... He was myopic. He was blind...
prayerless
loveless
full of evil...
this describes me
and this describes our times.
and the only way out is to do what Jesse is doing: GET OUT.
Look at him. he did what Jesus said: sell all, give away, come, follow...
look at that.
there's a guy who actually TRIED it.
who's next?
Who'll be the next person to join the throng of those who cast it all down to follow, to wallow, to worship at the feet of Jesus?
honestly, all our religion is so disingenuous to the world's eyes. We deny christ in our constant affluence.
we deny him by letting each other be poor.
if, just in the church, we started to do what Jesus said-just to our brothers and sisters...
like Zach's blog has posted a couple times: Let's agree to just not kill one another--let the christians of the world just stop killing each other... just that...
or let's stop picking our neighborhood by its safety and schools. Lets pick it by the probability that loving our neighbor will destroy darkness.
Who is moving to Mississippi this year?
who is moving to Louisiana this yera?
Who is going to go to kolkata? that's where the americans go to get deloused, spiritually. Mama T's ghost roams the dorms there, speaking her sweet history of abandonment to Jesus into the ears of sleeping CEO's.
If you're going to LIVE for Jesus, please let me know. It gets lonely hearing and speaking like this. It gets lonely knowing this. It gets lonely seeing people smile and nod, glazing over when the "rhetoric" gets too deep for them.
Who is moving to a troubled neighborhood?
who is going to neighbor up with Rick and Jackie? Lord knows they're too overwhelmed working in the church for peanuts (a crime-for shame to be that way) that they can hardly make it 3 hoods over to us for prayer adn fellowship.
they need the church to come to them.
how much of this whole thing is just jockeying for comfort and self-affirmation?
to worship in song, get in our lexus, drive home to a 200 thousand dollar mortgage and a 1000 dollar lawnmower... on a street of a hundred such lives... completely unconnected in any true way...
is this somehow acceptable?
where's the mourning over this?
there's barely a soft questioning of it.
what about Jesus?
didn't we have to push Him aside a long time ago to wind up here?
Let's be honest and get on our faces and beg him back into the house.
Half-Life Gospel
You know how Jesus taught us?
In Matthew 28:19-20?
actually didn't teach. The commissioned us--gave us our mission:
"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Go therefore and make disciples
of all the nations,
baptizing them
in the name of the Father
and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe
all things that I have commanded you;
and lo,
I am with you always,
even to the end of the age."
Let's talk about a Half-life Gospel.
A half life is when some material that's radioactive--like nuclear waste--is, how do you say it? It's dying off.
Its becoming normal
--no longer dangerous--
no longer causing damage or change by its radiation.
We measure the material's half life by the amount of time it takes it to be half as "radioactive" as it was at full strength. The idea is that the material will be somewhat radioactive forever, but someday, in miniscule amounts.
When you want the material to be weaker--to not cause change or damage--a half-life is an important measure for safety.
So we have all kinds of stuff like that. You get it...
Well, the Gospel of Jesus is like Nuclear stuff, too. It "radiates" and "mutates" people, when they believe it. In Galatians it says (Gal.3"1-9) that when we believe the gospel, it opens the door to the Holy Spirit and Miracles.
...don't see much Holy Spirit and Miracle stuff around here, lately.
Come to think of it, I hear about it in China and Africa, a lot. I have people in some of those places. They're really excited. The dead are raised, even...
Why isn't that stuff more prevalent?
Could it be that we don't believe?
no, people are working their butts off on believing... Let's pass over that one...
maybe something has happened to our Gospel.
I think so.
I think we've neutered the Message.
We've cut it back a few half-lives over the last few generations, and contemporary efforts to re-contextualize and re-focus it have cut it back a bunch more... People believe what they're hearing--that's how we built the big Worship Warehouses in this city... Shee-ooot! There's another 10 million dollar travesty going up in Springdale. Ironically, its devoted to prayer and miracle healings (the kind that stopped happening sometime after the Luke 4 series got ignored and undone so thoroughly).
Here are 2 ways we have cut the life out of the Gospel. Pulled it's teeth. Declawed it. Neutered it... Half-lived it...
MADE DISCIPLES
TAUGHT TO OBSERVE
Seriously. Good stuff stillhappens, but there's not the intensity. We take the residual goodness and credit it as a sign of our obedience, justifying our activity and whatnot...
but boy o boy if you put your nose in that Book and take a look at what the Discipline of a Disciple is--the cross--and what it costs to follow Jesus...
...you'll reconsider your life. Are you really a Christian?
oh, you're offended that I question that? Bare knuckle challenge, brother/sister! Are you really a Christian? Have you got Biblical Religion? Do you walk inthe Spirit, or in your best understanding and Ideas?
Yes, the discipline of the disciple is INTENSE...
And if that's been presented to you every sunday morning from a flaming pulpit of "willingness-to suffer-and-forget-the-donation-levels-we-got-a-King-to-serve"
Yep, the church does need to work:
work on clarifying mission
discipline and the cost of discipleship
and the necessity of obedience...
It is half-life to teach "what Jesus said", again and again, every week, without a visit from the Master, Himself... Our gatherings are re-hash upon re-hash of "what Jesus said". We have the opportunity to learn what He said, every day.
Our gathering is a time to kiss Him in worship and prayer. So few churches even have a minute of silence, and almost none have any culture of crying out in prayer nad repentance... Preachers waste their bullets on Knowledge. The Spirit doesn't move. it's not dead, but its not alive.
its half-life.
constantly learning, never understanding...
having a form of godliness, but denying it's power!
Look at 2 peter 2
Look at Jude
Look at 1 Tim. 3
and pick your church
and your preacher carefully...
Looking at 2 peter 2, I'm shocked to see the description fitting to a "T" one of America's largest and most influential churches! Colorado? Ted? My dear friend Ted? who is loved, and may be rescued if he'll get honest with his perverted self and stop with the lying to himself? O how Jesus loves Ted, and his chances at the Kingdom are way up, as long as he gets honest about the whole thing... He was wrong. When he preached a Half-life Gospel. He should have been rebuking power, but was in bed with it in the end...
his greatest perversion has nothing to do with sex. it's about neutering the gospel adn shutting Jesus out of the Building, and worshipping personality and power.
2 Pet.2:excerpts
"But there were also false prophete among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed..."
In Matthew 28:19-20?
actually didn't teach. The commissioned us--gave us our mission:
"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Go therefore and make disciples
of all the nations,
baptizing them
in the name of the Father
and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe
all things that I have commanded you;
and lo,
I am with you always,
even to the end of the age."
Let's talk about a Half-life Gospel.
A half life is when some material that's radioactive--like nuclear waste--is, how do you say it? It's dying off.
Its becoming normal
--no longer dangerous--
no longer causing damage or change by its radiation.
We measure the material's half life by the amount of time it takes it to be half as "radioactive" as it was at full strength. The idea is that the material will be somewhat radioactive forever, but someday, in miniscule amounts.
When you want the material to be weaker--to not cause change or damage--a half-life is an important measure for safety.
So we have all kinds of stuff like that. You get it...
Well, the Gospel of Jesus is like Nuclear stuff, too. It "radiates" and "mutates" people, when they believe it. In Galatians it says (Gal.3"1-9) that when we believe the gospel, it opens the door to the Holy Spirit and Miracles.
...don't see much Holy Spirit and Miracle stuff around here, lately.
Come to think of it, I hear about it in China and Africa, a lot. I have people in some of those places. They're really excited. The dead are raised, even...
Why isn't that stuff more prevalent?
Could it be that we don't believe?
no, people are working their butts off on believing... Let's pass over that one...
maybe something has happened to our Gospel.
I think so.
I think we've neutered the Message.
We've cut it back a few half-lives over the last few generations, and contemporary efforts to re-contextualize and re-focus it have cut it back a bunch more... People believe what they're hearing--that's how we built the big Worship Warehouses in this city... Shee-ooot! There's another 10 million dollar travesty going up in Springdale. Ironically, its devoted to prayer and miracle healings (the kind that stopped happening sometime after the Luke 4 series got ignored and undone so thoroughly).
Here are 2 ways we have cut the life out of the Gospel. Pulled it's teeth. Declawed it. Neutered it... Half-lived it...
MADE DISCIPLES
TAUGHT TO OBSERVE
Seriously. Good stuff stillhappens, but there's not the intensity. We take the residual goodness and credit it as a sign of our obedience, justifying our activity and whatnot...
but boy o boy if you put your nose in that Book and take a look at what the Discipline of a Disciple is--the cross--and what it costs to follow Jesus...
...you'll reconsider your life. Are you really a Christian?
oh, you're offended that I question that? Bare knuckle challenge, brother/sister! Are you really a Christian? Have you got Biblical Religion? Do you walk inthe Spirit, or in your best understanding and Ideas?
Yes, the discipline of the disciple is INTENSE...
And if that's been presented to you every sunday morning from a flaming pulpit of "willingness-to suffer-and-forget-the-donation-levels-we-got-a-King-to-serve"
Yep, the church does need to work:
work on clarifying mission
discipline and the cost of discipleship
and the necessity of obedience...
It is half-life to teach "what Jesus said", again and again, every week, without a visit from the Master, Himself... Our gatherings are re-hash upon re-hash of "what Jesus said". We have the opportunity to learn what He said, every day.
Our gathering is a time to kiss Him in worship and prayer. So few churches even have a minute of silence, and almost none have any culture of crying out in prayer nad repentance... Preachers waste their bullets on Knowledge. The Spirit doesn't move. it's not dead, but its not alive.
its half-life.
constantly learning, never understanding...
having a form of godliness, but denying it's power!
Look at 2 peter 2
Look at Jude
Look at 1 Tim. 3
and pick your church
and your preacher carefully...
Looking at 2 peter 2, I'm shocked to see the description fitting to a "T" one of America's largest and most influential churches! Colorado? Ted? My dear friend Ted? who is loved, and may be rescued if he'll get honest with his perverted self and stop with the lying to himself? O how Jesus loves Ted, and his chances at the Kingdom are way up, as long as he gets honest about the whole thing... He was wrong. When he preached a Half-life Gospel. He should have been rebuking power, but was in bed with it in the end...
his greatest perversion has nothing to do with sex. it's about neutering the gospel adn shutting Jesus out of the Building, and worshipping personality and power.
2 Pet.2:excerpts
"But there were also false prophete among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.
And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed..."
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