the thing is, there's all this stuff in the Bible that Jesus says that totally ruins american-style christianity.
just ruins it.
ruins it.
so, when we live in a country, among a church that is so largely and deeply false... how do we live out our MEMBERSHIP with the church in our land?
Look at how nehemiah prayed,
and daniel...
Thursday, May 29, 2008
checking ourselves...
there's this idea that i find operative in a lot of my conversation with church folks: the idea that self-doubt is BAD.
but there's a capacity to which it is necessary and good.
2 Cor.13:5
Jeremiah 17:5-14
In Philippians, we are given the "fear" line, too.
...and in Matt. 10
thoughts?
but there's a capacity to which it is necessary and good.
2 Cor.13:5
Jeremiah 17:5-14
In Philippians, we are given the "fear" line, too.
...and in Matt. 10
thoughts?
Friday, May 23, 2008
Paul Washer did good.
compare this with the crossroads video i posted last week.
wanna put these two dudes in a room together? i do.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Sunday
church was intense on sunday.
we looked at how much of the bible talks about false teachers.
how many of the NT books...
how much of the prophets (jeremiah 23)
and how appropriate it is for us to discuss the reality that there are many false doctrines out there to "tame" the Jesus whom Scripture describes into something they can use to build movement and preserve attendance and giving.
Tonight, I was asked what I do "during a day". I told the dude (you are a very cool dude, btw) that today i dug footers for a deck, but on a normal day I am the pastor of a "Jesus People Church" (which is how I say that).
He looked intrigued. I don't know what he was thinking, exactly, but this tends to be one of those "moments of truth", so I laid it out:
We are a bunch of folks who've gotten tangled up in the Jesus that the Bible describes, who tends to be a whole lot more incredible and untame than the "Jesus that american churches dictate"... or something like that.
I don't know, but lights seemed to go on.
The definitely did for me, because upon returning home I realized, "That was the gospel". The good news.
The good news for today is that the Jesus whom the Scriptures describe is the way out Way Out. He is the best! He is Wonderful! Counselor! Everlasting Father! Prince of Peace... of His Kingdom there's no end... and we're actually waiting for Him to return... Life begins to feel like the snowdays we used to have in NY, where I was all dressed up and ready for (hell on earth) school and the radio said I could stay home. I had TIME. And freedom.
And with the Jesus that the Bible describes, you can get with him and STOP. You can turn from your ways and turn to HIM right Here and Now! No need for a uniform. No need for a pedigree! Anyone who wants OUT can have it. Just turn to Jesus and follow, leaving the old life behind...
That isn't confusing when you're in the market for salvation. In the market for comfy cozy, selfish religion? you don't know what to do with the Bible Jesus. Shopping for a self-realization? forget it, Dude'll never make sense to ya! He's answering your questions with questions...
but when you're on your face, gripping the edge of his robe, about to get killed with rocks for being an adulterous idiot--the Bible Jesus is the dude. He's not all, "it's okay, we all struggle..." He's like, MERCY: "...neither do i condemn you." and TRUTH: "Go and sin no more." Forgiveness and Holiness...
that's the Jesus!
There are just too many jesuses around! Don't settle for just any jesus, please (many will. they'll read this and go on ahead and pick a jesus--or create a new one--that suits their shopper-holics)...but please, don't settle for just any jesus. Pick out the One in Scripture... Join with others who have searched Him out.
Accept no substitutes! even if that means you have to have coffee in a living room over scripture, rather than enjoy vid-screens and pop-presentations.
Try not to die with regrets.
we looked at how much of the bible talks about false teachers.
how many of the NT books...
how much of the prophets (jeremiah 23)
and how appropriate it is for us to discuss the reality that there are many false doctrines out there to "tame" the Jesus whom Scripture describes into something they can use to build movement and preserve attendance and giving.
Tonight, I was asked what I do "during a day". I told the dude (you are a very cool dude, btw) that today i dug footers for a deck, but on a normal day I am the pastor of a "Jesus People Church" (which is how I say that).
He looked intrigued. I don't know what he was thinking, exactly, but this tends to be one of those "moments of truth", so I laid it out:
We are a bunch of folks who've gotten tangled up in the Jesus that the Bible describes, who tends to be a whole lot more incredible and untame than the "Jesus that american churches dictate"... or something like that.
I don't know, but lights seemed to go on.
The definitely did for me, because upon returning home I realized, "That was the gospel". The good news.
The good news for today is that the Jesus whom the Scriptures describe is the way out Way Out. He is the best! He is Wonderful! Counselor! Everlasting Father! Prince of Peace... of His Kingdom there's no end... and we're actually waiting for Him to return... Life begins to feel like the snowdays we used to have in NY, where I was all dressed up and ready for (hell on earth) school and the radio said I could stay home. I had TIME. And freedom.
And with the Jesus that the Bible describes, you can get with him and STOP. You can turn from your ways and turn to HIM right Here and Now! No need for a uniform. No need for a pedigree! Anyone who wants OUT can have it. Just turn to Jesus and follow, leaving the old life behind...
That isn't confusing when you're in the market for salvation. In the market for comfy cozy, selfish religion? you don't know what to do with the Bible Jesus. Shopping for a self-realization? forget it, Dude'll never make sense to ya! He's answering your questions with questions...
but when you're on your face, gripping the edge of his robe, about to get killed with rocks for being an adulterous idiot--the Bible Jesus is the dude. He's not all, "it's okay, we all struggle..." He's like, MERCY: "...neither do i condemn you." and TRUTH: "Go and sin no more." Forgiveness and Holiness...
that's the Jesus!
There are just too many jesuses around! Don't settle for just any jesus, please (many will. they'll read this and go on ahead and pick a jesus--or create a new one--that suits their shopper-holics)...but please, don't settle for just any jesus. Pick out the One in Scripture... Join with others who have searched Him out.
Accept no substitutes! even if that means you have to have coffee in a living room over scripture, rather than enjoy vid-screens and pop-presentations.
Try not to die with regrets.
Friday, May 16, 2008
being a radical
the other day my good friend whom i love dearly in Christ said i was a radical and he wasn't. He's a denominational minister who sees me like someone more "radical" than he is.
I responded, "What's not radical about someone who believes in the stuff of the Apostle's Creed?"
indeed, it must be said. I may have a beard and wear jeans and skate a lot. I may seem "radical". But if you are joined with Christ you are radical. Jesus is coming back! Jesus is coming soon! Jesus is King and Lord! Jesus is Judge of the living and the Dead! Jesus will reign!
These are BASICS to us! Root-level. That's what "radical" means. Like a Radish--just a root.
from root to fruit, we're just christians.
that is, unless you 've let someone cut in on you with gobbledygook that messes up the power of connection to the Crucified One. If you've lost the simplicity and purity of devotion to Jesus (2cor11:3), you need to repent and tear down your idols and sell all and follow Him.
even if it means loss of position and influence and all the "good" you could do, it is far better to serve Him in the clear, passionate preaching of the word, without compromise or fear whose toes you step on...
boy i love you... all of you readers. I hope in the depth of my heart that you continue to dive deep into the simple love that Jesus holds for you. That you become wise and sophisticated in applying the simple wisdom of that love to your daily steps in this world. that you not be blown about by the winds of men's trickery and false teaching, but that you grow into maturity in the real Jesus of Scripture--the one the Scriptures describe...
that you not just read about him, but that you would LIVE with him, NOW and forever... and me too.
I responded, "What's not radical about someone who believes in the stuff of the Apostle's Creed?"
indeed, it must be said. I may have a beard and wear jeans and skate a lot. I may seem "radical". But if you are joined with Christ you are radical. Jesus is coming back! Jesus is coming soon! Jesus is King and Lord! Jesus is Judge of the living and the Dead! Jesus will reign!
These are BASICS to us! Root-level. That's what "radical" means. Like a Radish--just a root.
from root to fruit, we're just christians.
that is, unless you 've let someone cut in on you with gobbledygook that messes up the power of connection to the Crucified One. If you've lost the simplicity and purity of devotion to Jesus (2cor11:3), you need to repent and tear down your idols and sell all and follow Him.
even if it means loss of position and influence and all the "good" you could do, it is far better to serve Him in the clear, passionate preaching of the word, without compromise or fear whose toes you step on...
boy i love you... all of you readers. I hope in the depth of my heart that you continue to dive deep into the simple love that Jesus holds for you. That you become wise and sophisticated in applying the simple wisdom of that love to your daily steps in this world. that you not be blown about by the winds of men's trickery and false teaching, but that you grow into maturity in the real Jesus of Scripture--the one the Scriptures describe...
that you not just read about him, but that you would LIVE with him, NOW and forever... and me too.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
how we got to Northside
I got up really really early today because i have a cough that only works sideways.
and i posted on www.lewminator.com about Dad Weiss' sickness and Mom Weiss' passing.
and i reflect again on the fact that we don't live here because of a specific calling to "urban ministry", or inner-city hoo-ha. We moved here because a dear friend, sister, mother...was dying and we needed a house with a ramp and enough room to do the stuff.
This funeral home was the open door, perhaps the "bait", to get us into this neighborhood. We looked at many homes, but this was the only one in over 2 years of searching that had the right combination.
-Handicap access
-first floor bathroom just off a bedroom
-proximity to hospitals
all that and we ended up CLOSER to the majority of our church people, with room to meet and practise hospitality. to be honest, city living is the life for me, so far. Being a longtime skateboarder, living on concrete suits me well, with a coffee shop and internet just down the road.
our neighbors! Oh the blessing of living among noisy, chaotic, needy, ignorant, foolish, godless, drug-addicted neighbors. (sorry for not mentioning the smart, motivated, artistic, intelligent, rich and poor, idealistic, debauched, drunken, amazing, depressing people, too) you can just step outside and relate to Jesus, who had compassion on the multitudes, even though he was exhausted, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.
(if you mind that last paragraph, i kind of do, too. I don't want anyone to not have their shepherd. if I had created the universe, we wouldn't need shepherding, but it wasn't me. it was God. Oh yeah, and if i created the universe you'd all be my slaves, too, so count your blessings.)
yes, over the years I hear a drum beating louder and louder, ominously threatening judgment on unfaithful religion in the land... lukewarm christianity and money-worship will fall.
...but here, i see the hand of Jesus reaching out in compassion and patience to the violent, lost sinners who don't know Him. ...here, loving your neighbor and turning the other cheek really show up in your behavior. every day is a day to love, in actual ways--you know, reality of action, NOW.
I can skate down the street and end up talking gospel with serious hardcore criminals, punkers, atheists, Mayan Calendar people... I mean it's astounding. This is even the "gay" neighborhood! Where better? (I don't believe in gay people)
And it is here in Northside...no, it is here in the pierced palm of Jesus' hand...that I have come to find my final denomination--i am one of the Jesus people. like when the pharisees adn sadduccees and the teachers of the law and the scribes were like, "These guys were with Jesus."
That's all I want to be. That is all we're supposed to be. The whole John the Baptist thing with the "I must decrease and he must increase" thing... the whole 2 corinthians 4-5 clay pots (grubbykupps) and "...put off this earthly tent..." thing...
So on my other blog I storied out on how our family got here...
and here I'm touching on how being here has been...growing us...
blessings. richest blessings on you, dear readers.
and i posted on www.lewminator.com about Dad Weiss' sickness and Mom Weiss' passing.
and i reflect again on the fact that we don't live here because of a specific calling to "urban ministry", or inner-city hoo-ha. We moved here because a dear friend, sister, mother...was dying and we needed a house with a ramp and enough room to do the stuff.
This funeral home was the open door, perhaps the "bait", to get us into this neighborhood. We looked at many homes, but this was the only one in over 2 years of searching that had the right combination.
-Handicap access
-first floor bathroom just off a bedroom
-proximity to hospitals
all that and we ended up CLOSER to the majority of our church people, with room to meet and practise hospitality. to be honest, city living is the life for me, so far. Being a longtime skateboarder, living on concrete suits me well, with a coffee shop and internet just down the road.
our neighbors! Oh the blessing of living among noisy, chaotic, needy, ignorant, foolish, godless, drug-addicted neighbors. (sorry for not mentioning the smart, motivated, artistic, intelligent, rich and poor, idealistic, debauched, drunken, amazing, depressing people, too) you can just step outside and relate to Jesus, who had compassion on the multitudes, even though he was exhausted, because they were like sheep without a shepherd.
(if you mind that last paragraph, i kind of do, too. I don't want anyone to not have their shepherd. if I had created the universe, we wouldn't need shepherding, but it wasn't me. it was God. Oh yeah, and if i created the universe you'd all be my slaves, too, so count your blessings.)
yes, over the years I hear a drum beating louder and louder, ominously threatening judgment on unfaithful religion in the land... lukewarm christianity and money-worship will fall.
...but here, i see the hand of Jesus reaching out in compassion and patience to the violent, lost sinners who don't know Him. ...here, loving your neighbor and turning the other cheek really show up in your behavior. every day is a day to love, in actual ways--you know, reality of action, NOW.
I can skate down the street and end up talking gospel with serious hardcore criminals, punkers, atheists, Mayan Calendar people... I mean it's astounding. This is even the "gay" neighborhood! Where better? (I don't believe in gay people)
And it is here in Northside...no, it is here in the pierced palm of Jesus' hand...that I have come to find my final denomination--i am one of the Jesus people. like when the pharisees adn sadduccees and the teachers of the law and the scribes were like, "These guys were with Jesus."
That's all I want to be. That is all we're supposed to be. The whole John the Baptist thing with the "I must decrease and he must increase" thing... the whole 2 corinthians 4-5 clay pots (grubbykupps) and "...put off this earthly tent..." thing...
So on my other blog I storied out on how our family got here...
and here I'm touching on how being here has been...growing us...
blessings. richest blessings on you, dear readers.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
web developments
well, now you can find lew at www.lewminator.com, instead of all the .blogspot stuff.
and you can find a budding website at www.grubbykupp.com
it's just the mock-up, but we'll be making that a hub for our community's web-presence.
thanks to Sam Weber for his multi-talented servanthood in that stuff...
Lew
and you can find a budding website at www.grubbykupp.com
it's just the mock-up, but we'll be making that a hub for our community's web-presence.
thanks to Sam Weber for his multi-talented servanthood in that stuff...
Lew
The Name of the Game
Discernment of Truth from Error and Deception, people.
Nowadays in the church there is a ton of verbal and written material masquerading as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Entire communities are being built on this stuff and wind up as a masquerade of the Church of Jesus Christ.
I'm talkin counterfeits, folks. Good old Matthew 7, stinky-fruited, counterfeits. Aplenty.
I'm talkin Galatian super-apostles with greed-friendly pseudo-gospels... I'm talking the leaven of the pharisees and the sadduccees. I'm talking the leaven of herod...
these three leavens are important keys:
pharisees: religious zeal worked out in the flesh. Look at Romans 10.
sadduccees: using religion to build a cushion around yourself. milking it for the benefits, while not believing...
Herodians: using religion to build up a political power machine. We all ought to be ashamed for how this has gone unconfronted in the church! Flags next to the cross! for shame.
and herod was a despot! I'll finish this up later...
Nowadays in the church there is a ton of verbal and written material masquerading as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Entire communities are being built on this stuff and wind up as a masquerade of the Church of Jesus Christ.
I'm talkin counterfeits, folks. Good old Matthew 7, stinky-fruited, counterfeits. Aplenty.
I'm talkin Galatian super-apostles with greed-friendly pseudo-gospels... I'm talking the leaven of the pharisees and the sadduccees. I'm talking the leaven of herod...
these three leavens are important keys:
pharisees: religious zeal worked out in the flesh. Look at Romans 10.
sadduccees: using religion to build a cushion around yourself. milking it for the benefits, while not believing...
Herodians: using religion to build up a political power machine. We all ought to be ashamed for how this has gone unconfronted in the church! Flags next to the cross! for shame.
and herod was a despot! I'll finish this up later...
Friday, May 9, 2008
Thursday Nights
you can read back about thursday nights in our community. about 5 years back, Judy started meeting with Christine and maybe prari, and that morphed into a regular thursday night women's time of study, prayer and sharing...
the men hit the word on thursdays... with ol lew jammin it down their throats. We're going to be posting audio clips that you'll be able to listen to, soon... we have them going back 2 years or so...
and last night the women joined the men, and Lew started a study on Elijah.
hey, it was overwhelming to lew.
my head was spinning. i couldn't believe the hunger for the Word of God in the room. I felt like we needed to seriously commit to studying the history of Israel, starting with 1 Cor. 10, where it tells us why we even have the history of Israel in our bibles.
gogogogogogogo!!!!!
the men hit the word on thursdays... with ol lew jammin it down their throats. We're going to be posting audio clips that you'll be able to listen to, soon... we have them going back 2 years or so...
and last night the women joined the men, and Lew started a study on Elijah.
hey, it was overwhelming to lew.
my head was spinning. i couldn't believe the hunger for the Word of God in the room. I felt like we needed to seriously commit to studying the history of Israel, starting with 1 Cor. 10, where it tells us why we even have the history of Israel in our bibles.
gogogogogogogo!!!!!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Just another...
just another minute or two with you, my readers, to attempt to press home one idea:
this idea is that JESUS, HIMSELF, is whom we are to please.
right now
right here
today
Jesus is the focus of our thoughts, life, everything...
Jesus is the one we live to please, and this isn't burdensome, in light of the great love with which he has loved us and the great price at which he won us back from sin, ourselves, the claim of the devil, the power of entropy...the suction of this swirling world...
Jesus. All the angels worship Him. ...in whom all the fullness of Deity dwells... whom Thomas calls "My Lord and My God"
Everlasting Father
Mighty God
Wonderful
Counsellor...
Jesus.
Name above all names at which every knee shall bow.
Nothing matters but what He thinks.
How does this shape your worship? How does this shape your outworking of faith? Do you think God put you here to serve your neighbor? your community? Do you think that serving men is what God commissioned you to do? No.
you are commissioned to make disciples for Jesus, preaching the gospel He preached and the Good news that He has come and that He is the One. We are commanded to love each other and to love Him with all we have, and our neighbor as ourself.
We are committed to endure shame with Him, bearing the stigma of the cross in a swirling world...
just another shot to focus us...
there's just nothing better around than Jesus Himself, of whom the Scriptures testify.
this idea is that JESUS, HIMSELF, is whom we are to please.
right now
right here
today
Jesus is the focus of our thoughts, life, everything...
Jesus is the one we live to please, and this isn't burdensome, in light of the great love with which he has loved us and the great price at which he won us back from sin, ourselves, the claim of the devil, the power of entropy...the suction of this swirling world...
Jesus. All the angels worship Him. ...in whom all the fullness of Deity dwells... whom Thomas calls "My Lord and My God"
Everlasting Father
Mighty God
Wonderful
Counsellor...
Jesus.
Name above all names at which every knee shall bow.
Nothing matters but what He thinks.
How does this shape your worship? How does this shape your outworking of faith? Do you think God put you here to serve your neighbor? your community? Do you think that serving men is what God commissioned you to do? No.
you are commissioned to make disciples for Jesus, preaching the gospel He preached and the Good news that He has come and that He is the One. We are commanded to love each other and to love Him with all we have, and our neighbor as ourself.
We are committed to endure shame with Him, bearing the stigma of the cross in a swirling world...
just another shot to focus us...
there's just nothing better around than Jesus Himself, of whom the Scriptures testify.
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