INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY

From 1941 to 1945, Nazi Germany and its collaborators committed the systematic murder of over six million Jews. The Holocaust, also known as the Shoah, was Nazi Germany’s “Final Solution” for eliminating all Jewish people within Nazi Germany’s grasp. By the end of this heinous act, roughly two-thirds of Europe’s Jewish population had been murdered. The United Nations General Assembly’s resolution 60/7 designated International Holocaust Remembrance Day on November 1, 2005, during the 42nd plenary session. So join us on January 27 for International Holocaust Remembrance Day when remembering the Nazi’s act of genocide so that no one else will suffer like that again.

My wife’s great-grandmother observed these atrocities firsthand. Maria Madi was a non-Jewish physician living in Budapest during World War II. In her diary, she recorded her observations of life in wartime Budapest, including the persecution of Hungarian Jews after the German invasion in March 1944. Madi was not only a witness but also a rescuer; during the war, she hid three Jews in her apartment to protect them from possible deportation.

Many times, people wonder with a circumstance this large, what can they do? Here are three suggestions:

1. Visit a Holocaust Museum

   Holocaust Museums are located throughout the world with several in the U.S. The United States Holocaust Museum is located in the National Mall in Washington D.C.

2. Donate to a Holocaust Museum

   Museums of any kind are valuable parts of any society. Supporting Holocaust Museum with donations helps ensure their important information stays available to all.

3. Help a Holocaust Survivor

   According to The Blue Card, a nonprofit organization for survivors, one third of the 100,000 survivors in the US live below the poverty line. Any survivor will be elderly and needing help. Give someone a hand and buy them some groceries or fix their fence. Show then the kindness they never knew before.

Give me a heart of compassion

This morning I was in worship and directed to read John 8:3

"The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, "Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?"

My eyes fell to that first part…"the Pharisees led in a woman." But not as a teacher did they lead. Not as shepherd. But as judge.

I considered my self righteous assessment of what I see going on around me and cringe at the similarities of my life and theirs. Perhaps that is why the sermon yesterday impacted me so much.

Ty Saltzgiver shared on Jesus in the temple and spoke to His fiery desire to remove any hinderance for those coming to encounter God and how He did everything he could to clear away the hurdles. I even thought of the finishing touch — tearing the curtain top to bottom at the point of Jesus sacrifice in the cross. No barriers. No hurdles. Nothing to keep people from encountering Jesus.

So when I see someone that may not fit my idea of tribe…political, sexual preference, age, career, and then decide they are excluded from the Kingdom of Papa I am just as proficient at segregation as those men so long ago. May it not be. May it never be.

Another point. I realized my Pharisaical actions are rooted in my own desire and pride, the point that I can do it myself thank you. I can't do anything myself.

I see someone else and their sin (or liberty) and decide they need to "get it right" before they come before the king. Not so His way. He wants us to come as we are and I place hurdles in the most ridiculous of places. The dinner table (you guys should stop eating pretzel bites because I have only had one) and other completely ridiculous statements. I prayed asking God to help me not hold others to the unattainable law that I have for them.

Oh to grace how great a debtor.

Joy—the hallmark of the children of God

For Jesus, the author of joy, lives! And his dwelling place is the hearts of those who welcome Him. For the joy set before him he endured the misery of the cross—fully aware of its pain and agony.

So what was this joy? The RE-UNION of my soul with His! The restoration of mankind with the father. The rescue and redemption of his bride to his side.

The joy of sacrifice resulting from the path of suffering outweighs the temporary pain of loss. Jesus knows this, for he walked it!

The storm is trying to win...

"It seems as I get further away from the Toth weekend the "glory" is fading. Life is screaming for attention and I am unable to quiet the storm.

Fortunately, Jesus is in the boat.

And he is awake.

And he has awakened me, too.

"Nothing to fear," he says. "Quiet" he says. And the waves have no choice but to obey. The wind must become mute.

And peace is restored as the King of peace has proclaimed who He his to this storm.

My first 5k and other ideas...

So I just ran my first 5k today. It was quite the spectacle. So many people showed up that the parking down by Monument Valley park could have been sold to the highest bidder.

This run was to help out some friends of ours. Holly Aldridge lost her husband on Dec 21, 2012 as he was jogging to work. This man who was a lover of Jesus and friend to everyone he met was simply promoted from this world to the next in a blink of an eye, doing what he loved to do.

He left a wife and 3 kids. He left a workplace that loved him. He left a whole cadre of friends that, quite frankly, are pissed that he's gone.

But I digress. Today we participated in this 5k in his honor, all proceeds going to Holly for her support. I heard that they raised over $10k to help with costs of living etc. and I could not be more pleased. I think Dave would be happy, too.

As I was walking/running with my son, I realized again how precious and short this life is. Sometimes it passes by far too quickly. Other times it drags along at a snails pace. But whether or not we have a short time on this chosen planet or a full and long life, I've concluded that with Jesus is the only true fulfillment once can receive.

Piles of money will not make you happy. A grande house will not make you happy. A bottomless checking account won't either. But time with Jesus and his love is a new thing. In Him is fullness of joy and peace. In him is the hope that only he provides.

And that is something my friend lived for. I hope to do the same!

Follow the Master

So there I was last night, sitting down after a particularly grueling day. Keeping in mind there are souls at work for the kingdom right now that would chuckle at that description of office work, I was still bushed from the work I've been doing at the office.

It was just before bedtime and I was talking with my bride. I say talking, but it was more of a complaining session.

She asked a very compelling question. Do I think God's next step for me was to change the work I was doing where I am or to send me to a new place to do something completely new? I pondered my response and stared blankly when I clearly heard this phrase in my soul, "Follow the Master."

Simple, right?

There was a time, early in my walk with Jesus, when I wanted to follow Him everywhere. My life was full of direction and, dare I say, adventure. The tasks I took on were simple, full of meaning and purpose. Not because the tasks were so great but because the Master infused every element of the task.

Then I grew old. Not only physically, but in my faith. I put my ship on autopilot and began to coast. The vigor began to dry up and the work became tedious and more complicated.

Fast forward to my conversation with my bride last evening. Once she had spoken and I had sensed the voice of the Master in my heart, I felt young again. I recalled the early days of a simple faith, those times of adventure and of fear--of not knowing the exact outcome. To borrow from the vernacular of chess, every move had been planned and endgame was reached.

So this morning I was reading in Matthew and came across this passage:

""Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace." click to read 

And I thought deeply about my response. If my life is not my own and I am truly to follow the master, the purest and best method is to be tuned into Jesus, simply allowing Hime to visit His grace on me.

Let's see where this leads...

I'm hungry

So I've recently been reading a couple of blog posts, pondering a few deep thoughts, following some very gifted thinkers in the ever expanding twitterverse and I'm beginning to see a pattern. I'm hungry.

Yeah, I know--but this is not just another post about about my daily caloric intake. It's occurred to me that I am genuinely hungry for the things of God. Golden clouds, dreams, or visions not withstanding, I am mostly seeking a deep and abiding experience with God Most High. These things I'm reading, following, or discussing are reminding me of something far too important to miss.

I recall times when I have feasted on the Lord...really focused intentionally on the Wine of the Word and drinking to the last dregs the truth of He who is the Word. I would scrape every last crumb of the Bread of Life off of the table and then, like Oliver Twist, ask for more.

My days consisted of sweet communion with the Lord and waking and spending much time with Jesus. I would go out with a song in my heart from that place of mystical union and dwell with Him the whole day long. Each moment was filled with the potential of knowing Him and His character in my life. I was full.

Then something happened. I became sleek. I think the old English word means to grow fat. I no longer sought Him as I once did. Other things began to take my attention off of Jesus--the real food and drink--and I began to consume things that were not good for me.

It has been a slow drift, and I'm keenly aware of my smallness in all this.

I compromised on the “best foods” and began to fill myself with junk. Though beautiful to see and sweet to to eat, this food holds no nutritional value. And yet, I consume so much of this I've seemingly forgotten what real food truly is.

And I've become lazy--unwilling to change my diet or do anything that would put me back on the track for spiritual health. Slowly, I've lost my appetite for things of the Spirit.

How have I so quickly moved away from that which provides such great benefits? Why have I moved so rapidly from that which promises wholeness and health? How deceived and prideful must I be before I realize the “weight” I carry around is not required?

So for the last week or so, I've consciously been “eating in.” I'm doing what I must so I can be what He desires. I'm trying to not fill my shopping cart with junk but I am genuinely soaking in the truth He has placed in His word, that He has displayed in His creation, and shared in amazing conversations with friends and colleagues.

Sometimes I begin to believe that eating-in is boring...sometimes I sneak a sweet treat and feel sick after. But always the Feast is prepared before me in the presence of my enemies.

I Guess I still have a ways to go. But I'm not discouraged. Wanna know why?

I think I'm getting hungry again.

Learning about holiness from a necklace chain

Have you ever started working on a seemingly insignificant project and had God speak to your heart about something completely different? Yeah, me too.

And so it began...

This morning I was endeavoring to untangle my daughter's necklace chain. Something simple, right? After all, how difficult can it be to undo what has happened by mere happenstance?

Plenty, if you have giant digits compared to a chain that was created by workers endowed with magical, elf-like spindles for fingers.

large fingers...small chain

So I began to think about it and recalled an ancient secret purported to have been developed by hobbits (notorious for having larger than normal fingers and toes) wherein they would gather toothpicks left by rather rude underground dwellers to use as de-tangling tools. 

OK, I actually heard it from others who have had a similar circumstance...so I took heed and gathered some toothpicks.

The tangle taunts me yet a second time.

Now I was ready to undo the damage. I began to wrestle with this tiny chain, attempting to un-knit the tangles that had been so serendipitously constructed. With each attempt, the tangle only seemed to tighten.

The knots closed in on each other with a vengeance. And my patience began to wear thin. Even with these "tools" it was challenging. I was thinking about giving up, but something pushed me forward. Then this word came into my mind. PERSEVERANCE.

The work continues

Perseverance. Interesting. But there was more and more to do so I quickly pushed that word aside and continued on my quest. I would open one section, and another would tangle. As another opened, two more knots would form. I would lift the entire mess from the table and allow gravity to help. But additional knots tightened. I could not catch a break. 

The work dragged on as I began to consider of the delicacy of the chain and the work I was attempting. I could have easily thrown in the towel and purchased a new chain, but that pesky word would not allow it. My thoughts again drifted to something above this seemingly futile exercise.

This chain didn't tangle itself, though it most certainly had been tangled. And since the tangle, it had become unusable. 

Then came this concept...SIN IS A TANGLE THAT RENDERS ME UNUSABLE. No matter how much I would like it to be otherwise,  my own "self" renders me exempt from my original purpose. The more I would loose myself, the tighter the knots become. Each attempt to free myself results in tighter bondage. And I am unable to free myself from that which renders me unusable. 

Sheesh. So now what? I've got a tangle here, people. Not a philosophical tangle, but a very real tangle!

Getting close now...

Well, I kept on going. I was not to be stopped by this chain. I kept considering these thoughts while I fiddled...God's perseverance,  His pursuit of me, the sin in my life that kept me from the purposes He had intended...

As I continued to work this chain, there would be times I gently pulled and other times it was necessary to be more "sincere" with the effort...pressing the knot and pulling harder. In this context of sin, I recall God's gentle grace for certain parts of this walk toward holiness and other times He stood in the path forcing me to face Him and the consequence of my poor behavior and choices. Both of these were for a single purpose...to get out the knot!

Success!

Now the chain was ready. I took the bead that Audrey has been wearing on this chain and returned it to its place. I fastend the clasp and held up the completed work. The project was completed. There it was, doing that for which it was created. And God had snuck up on me.

And I considered this point...the work of God in my life is ongoing. Rescued from the trash heap, untangled and restored, forgiven was the first step. The journey toward holiness is the second and longer part. All of these are set for one ultimate purpose...GOD'S GLORY.

It's His work for His purpose motivated out of His love. It's all about Jesus!

It's for Him!

Somewhere...

Here I sit, bowl of cereal and cup of coffee before me. Our family is preparing for the day as we typically do. Kids have/are eating breakfast and my wife is gathering the last few items for our trip to Seattle, and everything is good.

But somewhere there is a father greeting the day with a less than optimistic outlook. There is no cereal and coffee. The kids are quietly suffering hunger for another day. The wife is sweeping the dirt floor dreaming of the chance to travel...

I'm struck by this thought, much like cold water thrown in my face. I've been having more thoughts like this lately. And I'm being stirred. For what? That is yet to be known.

But for now, my breakfast doesn't sit well.

Reordering Worship

In chapter 2 of his book The Dangerous Act of Worship Mark Labberton writes,

“As we allow worship to do it's transformative work in our lives, we can stay where we are and yet move into the places where the heart of God dwells...We urgently need to recover a comprehensive vision of worship that recontextualizes our entire life and leads us to live out the worship God intends and desires.”

What is the worship God intends and desires? What is this illusive act that brings a smile to the heart of our creator? Scripture appears to be quite clear on this matter...

“Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don't have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.” (Isaiah 1:17 MSG)

All of these are actionable items. No superpowers are required*. It's simply choosing to move to the next step. Learn, work, help, stand up, go to bat may just be a journey of worship-a psalm of ascents if you will.

All 5 points (taken as a unit) seem vast and overwhelming...even unattainable. But when you take each point individually it becomes manageable. Let me explain.

The Order of Worship

As I look at this list I see a sequence or order. Being a good Presbyterian, I propose this could be considered an Order of Worship...perhaps a stretch but stay with me.

The simplest action is first—LEARN. Either a hands on experience or academic pursuit, the posture is that of being a learner. Becoming aware and allowing God to show you things is the key to this worship journey. In my own life this has happened through speakers, books I have read, and other channels.

Next is WORK. Injustice will not be brought to light without people working to show it for what it is. I sometimes think the opposite of work is apathy, and so it is indeed work to address the issue.

Following close behind is HELP. Take what you have learned and begin to apply it. Look for a local context and then act. Soup kitchen, shelter, kids ministry at church, helping friends who are facing great loss...allow space to make mistakes, trust God for the rest. Make yourself available to help with whatever you see.

Next, STAND UP. Don't be afraid to be seen as you talk about what you have learned and help others to take those first steps. Share some of those work experiences and what you have gleaned from the learning. Invite others to help. Make some noise about the issue to draw attention to God's heart for the marginalized. This is worship.

Finally, GO TO BAT. This is where all sense of self is potentially lost in the worship of God through carrying out justice. His character shines through. God's heart beats in your chest and all you can do is march to that beat. You are consumed in your love for Jesus and nothing that breaks His heart escapes your notice.

I know of a man who heard of a little girl who was sold to a brothel for grocery money. His heart was broken and after much prayer, he and his wife sold their business and moved to Cambodia to try to stop the trafficking of young girls into the sex trade.

Not only did he build a home to rescue at-risk girls and prevent the exploitation of children in the sex trade industry throughout the world, he found this little girl and started a ministry called Remember Nhu after he ransomed her from the brothel where she had been kept. By the way, Nhu was 13 when she was sold those many years ago, and I had the privilege of meeting her last year. Read the story of her rescue.

So what of it?

So now what? Could I possibly be so arrogant to think I have this figured out? I'm realizing this entire post appears to proclaim that I have arrived, ready to STAND UP.

Not so. In many ways I feel like I am still in the place to LEARN. I've been reading, attending seminars,  and following people on twitter and other social media channels. My heart is being broken for the people of the world and my awareness is expanding for those marginalized in my community.

But something in me is awakening to this concept of justice driven worship. God's character and how it is represented is at stake.

*I also realize that it appears I think this is a pull-yourself-up-by-the-bootstraps idea. Not so. It is God's grace to me that I am even aware of the problem. He has begun this good work in me and will bring it through to completion for His glory alone.

One last thing. I realize that it is possible to be in different parts of the journey at the same time. It's not a formula...it's steps toward a lifestyle.

So I'm kind of mapping out what the path might be, but this I know. This journey will not take me anywhere except to where God intends me to be.

And the good news is He is already there.

Wrecked

So I'm reading The Dangerous Act of Worship by Mark Labberton and I come across this.

“The world is meant to see and know something about God through the lives and actions of faithful worshippers. As we live out, carry forth, and demonstrate in character and action the life of the One we worship, they see God.”

What does it mean to “live out, carry forth, and demonstrate the life of the one we worship?”

Earlier in the book Labberton cites a passage in Isaiah where God is decrying the worship of His people. He denounces the new moon festivals and Sabbath observations. These very holy days He required according to the Law, and the people of Israel followed through. But there was an element they left out.

“‘Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings— meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You've worn me out! I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don't have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.” (Isaiah 1:13-17 MSG)

And there it is. YHWH himself has told them to leave their worship, go home, and clean up. It appears that part of that washing includes doing justice.

Justice is a broadly defined term these days, but for me, today, as I'm reading this book, it means caring for the poor and marginalized, the orphan and widow in distress.

How much of my Sunday morning spills over to the rest of the week through doing justice? What does that even mean in this day and age? What must I do to show forth His ways and put aside my own?

Big broad ideals that are nothing more than mere platitudes unless I actually do something about it.

In all of this, the challenge to my heart is simple...unless I am also showing forth the character of my Heavenly Father I dare not call my Sunday experience worship.

Running and other issues of faith

"Therefore," is one of the greatest words to ever begin a sentence in the Bible. It creates a transition in a story and can either be positive or negative. And thank God this usage sets up a most amazing reason to persevere in the midst of trial.

"since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses," shows the concept of community in a way that connects heaven and earth--eternity and time. 

I recently had a friend die. Aged 39, it felt like he was taken from us. It feels so unfair. But I found this odd comfort carrying me even as I stood beside his casket. 

He is there, with Jesus, in this great cloud of witnesses. Right now. Cheering us on. Watching as if a great football game was playing out, sometimes loud, sometimes hushed, but watching nonetheless. 

So let us live our lives not only for ourselves but with an eye toward the stands where a great crowd of witnesses have already taken their place--lead by the author and finisher of our faith, Jesus!

"let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." There is nothing as annoying when I'm out running than a loose shoestring. All I can think about is that string, how it has the potential to trip me up or cause me to stumble. 

And then it hits me, this tiny thing is taking my mind off the race. So it is with sin. These little "toys" that I hold aside for personal moments keep me from the best race possible and could even put an end to my race should I fall, unable or unwilling to get back up. Tie up those loose ends. Confess them to the coach. Keep on running. 

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1, 2 NIV84) And now the finish line, the prize, the reason I began this race to begin with. 

Whenever I'm running, I have found the one thing that will always keep me through to the end is thinking of the end. And here is the most excellent of all prizes waiting to welcome me...cheering the loudest over the whole crowd for me to keep going, it's almost over, finish well...Jesus himself standing there waiting to lift me up into his arms. 

Whenever I watch the Ironman triathlon held in Hawaii, this is the thought that quite literally brings me to tears every time. Some finish first and some finish slow. Some make it within the timelines and others not so much. 

But what they show on the program brings me back to this point every-time. The runners are met by someone who loves them and has been waiting. However long it takes, they are there, arms wide open, ready to greet them at the finish of this grueling race. 

Cue the tears, because it throws me to my own future, whether near or far, when the ultimate champion, Jesus himself, welcomes me to the end of my race with cheers and welcome. 

He knows this race. He understands it all--the grueling pace and exertion. How? He knows this race because of one simple truth--he ran it himself.

We've got Trouble

Consider this, my friends. Jesus himself faced it. Abandonment, accusation, trial, murder,prison, injustice, and much more. He faced it all...this little thing we call TROUBLE. 

But we also have this. "Jesus answered them...In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world." 

So what does that mean? Today, it means that in spite of the immensity of the burdens for family and friends I feel like I'm carrying, there is truth that this world is not all there is. This world has been overcome by my savior and friend. 

He wins, and He is taking me with Him. But not only me...whosoever will. Whosoever will take up their cross and follow Him. So there is always this...the joy and anticipation of leaving this "overcome world" in which we live contrasted with the knowledge that Jesus wants to send me back in to let others know about His love and possibly help bring some out. 

Yeah...we've got trouble. But glory is right around the corner. 

Well, what a journey...

And it has only just begun.

BB, my mother-in-love, had a massive stroke on Friday, June 10. It was just two days before I was scheduled to go to church camp with my son. It went down like this:

Friday after work, I was eagerly anticipating my son's return from San Francisco. His mom and sister had been there for 2 weeks helping/visiting my wife's sister. They were to stay for one more week and were putting my son on a plane.

I was syncing my iphone and going about getting the house in order for being a week away, so I put the phone in "airplane" mode so there wouldn't be any interruptions in the sync.

I was packing and putting some final touches on the studies that I was going to be teaching these 6th grade boys. The lessons were on The Greatest Story Ever Told: God's plans and our part in them. All was moving along at a pretty good clip.

I went over to the computer and realized I had 2 voicemails. I noted that they were from my father- and sister-in-law. I started listening to the message from the father-in-law and realized something was very wrong. He stated my mother in law had fainted and was not able to be revived and they were en route to the hospital. Just as this message was playing out, my wife texted me telling me I needed to call my sister-in-law because BB had been taken to the hospital. I listend then to my sis-in-law's message and called her. She said BB had fallen and the paramedics thought she had had a stroke.

My son was on a plane, I couldn't get my wife on her phone because it had been broken a few days earlier. She had been using her sister's phone and the battery died. I called my sis-in-law here in the Springs and asked her about some of the details. She said her husband (my wife's bro) was at the hospital with his dad and mom. After a brief discussion and prayers, I took off to meet up with them at the hospital. Before leaving, I ended up skypeing on my laptop with the San Fran sister to let her know what was going down with her mom. She then skyped on her computer with her bro to get the details.

I went to the hospital where I saw BB and pop- and bro- in love...BB called me over and whispered a couple of things. I was most surprised by her wish that she get the address of camp so they could send mail to Jack. Really? The address? I get it. She wants Jack and I to go to camp in spite of this whole deal. Ok. Crazy, but ok.

My son arrived and I told him about his grandmother, we prayed through tears and went home to rest a bit. This was all Friday night.

continued in the next blog...

The Great Suggestion?

Recently, I was sitting next to my 11 year old son and we were looking at my iPad, trying to get to some of the games I had on it. He couldn’t find them, so I took a closer look. But the more I looked at it the more I was stumped by what I saw. Nothing was working the way it should, apps were in the wrong place, and I was a bit confused.

Then I remembered something. I had loaned my iPad to a co-worker, and he had synced it up to his computer. All the games, apps, notes, etc. were synced to his computer and were different than what I had been expecting.

This is a lot like our lives. We are either synced to God's word or not. So when we are expecting one set of results from our life but receive another set of results, it might be time to evaluate what we are synced up to. What are we connected to that directs our lives?

Introductions

So I need to tell you that I’m a missions nut.

When I first began this walk with Jesus, I felt like he wanted me to go to Eastern Europe and smuggle bibles (yeah, it was before the iron curtain fell). But as time went on and life happened, the road went a different way. I became a graphic designer and went to school in Pittsburgh, got a job after college and began a career in marketing and graphic design.

Still, there was this desire to make sure people know the word of God and his love for them.

Fast-forward 20 some years to today. I'm the web manager for the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

For those of you that don’t know, The Alliance began as a movement of Christians set on doing two things, Knowing Jesus and fulfilling the Great Commission. And it’s my job to make sure that message is clear. Though not alone...it is a team effort for sure.

Right when I came on board, I was told that we needed to rework the website. (YIKES) When we redesigned the site, we were looking for a single quote that would sum up the mission of our organization. Here it is: The Alliance is a unique missionary denomination—a maverick movement into whose soul the Head of the Church breathed “Go!” from the very start.

At our heart is Jesus' Great Commission. This passage has held my heart and been my theme ever since Jesus found me and he planted a desire in my heart to tell His story. I “get a rush” when I hear stories of God moving around the world. I tend to get emotional when I hear of God reaching others like he has reached me. This is why I consider myself a missions nut.

So what is the great commission?

"God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." (The Message)

Plain and simple right? But what had happened up to this point? Let’s back it up by about 45 days.

John 19: 16-37 Jesus is crucified
John 19: 38-42 Jesus is buried
John 20: 1-10 Jesus comes back to life.
Matthew 28: 11-14 the soldiers guarding the tomb saw the resurrection,
John 20: 11-18 Mary was the first follower to see him
Matthew 28: 8 The women coming to prepare the body saw the empty tomb
John 20: 19-21 the apostles are in a locked room and Jesus comes in through the locked door,
Luke 24: 13-35 the men on the road to Emmaus encounter Jesus
John 21: 1-14 The fishing expedition

So here we are. 40 days after he has been seen alive again, with multiple proofs, Jesus is ready to "take off."

Think about this in the context of your friends or family, or if you’ve ever left loved ones behind and you wanted to leave an important thought with them. “Don’t mess this up. It’s all on you now. I’m outta here.”

What would you have done at this point if he had not given a command?

Let's think through. Imagine you've just seen Jesus blast off 40 days following His resurrection. He has gone up into the clouds. First, after I had recovered from seeing Him lift off the ground, I would have likely stayed in Jerusalem.

I would have gotten comfortable with that upper room, maybe carpeted it and gilded the table where the last supper had taken place, possibly elevate it higher in the room than anything else so people would be sure to see it.

I bet I would have bronzed the cup used for the last supper and used it on special occasions--maybe once a month to remember the meal we shared just before that terrible day he died.

I would probably put in a few rows of benches for those that had been around the day Jesus told us all those wonderful things on the mount just before he left.

But I would have kept it members-only--just us and no others.

What's the problem with this way of thinking? After all, Jesus will get the work done, won't He? I mean, it is His job, right? I'm just along for the ride. It's not really important that anyone else know about this sweet deal, because it gets messy when there are more people...
and there might not be enough for me when it is all said and done...
and I might not know what to say to someone...
and I might look foolish...

Sounds ridiculous, right? Who would actually live this way, right? Yours truly, that's who. I remember when this was my perspective. Comfortable. Easy. Dead.

I was completely unaware of what Jesus meant when he commanded "go."

So what really happened?

He is leaving this last recommendation. Ok, it's not really a recommendation. More of a strong opinion. OK, not that either. Read it again.

The fact remains that he did give this command because more often than not we need to know what the plan is.

The basic points are to go, to train everyone you meet, to baptize in the name, and to teach these new disciples the practices that Jesus has taught. Here are some specifics from the Greek. The language is so rich.

Go out
poreuō (po-ryü'-ō)
1. to pursue the journey on which one has entered, to continue on one's journey

and train (in this way of life, )
mathēteuō (mä-thā-tyü'-ō)
1. to be a disciple of one
a. to follow his precepts and instructions
2. to make a disciple
a. to teach, instruct

everyone you meet,
pas (pä's)
1. individually
a. each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things, everything
2. collectively
a. some of all types

far and near,
ethnos (ethnos)
1. a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together
a) a company, troop, swarm
2. a multitude of individuals of the same nature or genus
a) the human family
3. a tribe, nation, people group

marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
baptizō (bäp-tē'-zō)
1. to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk)
2. to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to wash one's self, bathe
3. to overwhelm

Then instruct them
didaskō (dē-dä'-skō)
1. to teach
a. to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses
b. to be a teacher
c. to discharge the office of a teacher, conduct one's self as a teacher
2. to teach one
a. to impart instruction
b. instill doctrine into one
c. the thing taught or enjoined
d. to explain or expound a thing
e. to teach one something

in the practice of all
tēreō (tā-re'-ō)
1. to attend to carefully, take care of
a. to guard
b. metaph. to keep, one in the state in which he is
c. to observe
d. to reserve: to undergo something

I have commanded you.
entellō (en-te'l-lō)
2. to order, command to be done, enjoin

I'll be with you as you do this,
meta (me-tä')
1. with, after, behind

day after day after day,
aiōn (ī-ō'n)
1. for ever, an unbroken age, perpetuity of time, eternity
2. the worlds, universe
3. period of time, age

right up to the end of the age
synteleia (sün-te'-lā-ä)
1. completion, consummation, end

It's not so complicated, huh.

I think that often we get this picture in our head that we need to go overseas to really do this work. But remember the term ethnos: a multitude of individuals associated or living together (your street, relief centers like springs rescue mission or the soup kitchen), the human family (the city, state, country), or tribe, nation, or people group (overseas missions)

And we are not doing it alone.

Meta ion synteleia.
I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.

The missionaries I know have typically started in their local church. They worked in their local community teaching and community outreach. And then the path Jesus put them on had them going overseas.

Now this is not meant to be a formula for overseas service. I know it can be rather overwhelming to consider overseas service.

But I also don’t want this to be an “out” for us. Often times people will say “I’m a sender, not a go-er” and miss out on what God may have in store for them.

How are you being a missionary right now? How are you living it out? How are you being pushed to do it on a larger scale? Do you sense the push to get a greater impact today? Then just take that next step.

So my wife helped me see that perhaps God has brought me full circle. From the early days of my walk with him and the desire to reach people in Eastern Europe to today being part of a team that reaches thousands of people daily with the good news of Jesus love, God has in fact been leading me on a missionary journey. And he will do it for you, too.

My eyes are dry...

There is this classic song from Keith Green that is rattling around in my heart right now:

My eyes are dry
My faith is old
My heart is hard
My prayers are cold
And I know how I ought to be
Alive to You and dead to me

But what can be done
For an old heart like mine
Soften it up
With oil and wine
The oil is You, Your Spirit of love
Please wash me anew
With the wine of Your Blood

It is as though I have forgotten my sole purpose in life is to minister, not to work, build, or keep up with technology. But to minister. To Jesus and to people.

I think about the words of Jesus to the Ephesian church in Revelation 2:1-7 when he says, “You have left the love you had in the beginning,” and think about my life, filled with much-ness and many-ness and long for that first time love.

When I first fell madly in love with Jesus, there was nothing He could ask that I didn't say yes to. To quote Keith Green, I was filled with the oil and the wine of knowing the lover of my soul. But as time has gone on, I'm growing cold.

The question remains, how do we heat it back up again? Quiet? Solitude? Still trying to get that one. I can only rest in Him and let His oil and wine flow.

Staying Awake with Jesus

When I consider the tradition of Maundy Thursday and the many things we learn about the passion of Jesus, I don't usually focus on what role the disciples played.

Sure, they got their feet washed and filled with a meal, they even heard some powerful words. But the part of keeping vigil with Jesus is what was brought to my attention last night.

At our church Steve Smith, author of The Lazarus Life spoke on staying awake with Jesus. He quoted these verses from the gospel...

Then Jesus went with them to a garden called Gethsemane and told his disciples, “Stay here while I go over there and pray.” Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he plunged into an agonizing sorrow. Then he said, “This sorrow is crushing my life out. Stay here and keep vigil with me.” Matthew 26:36-38

And there it is. Jesus calling for his disciples to keep awake with Him, to carry the burden with Him while He seeks the father on this issue. What a privilege, right? And what happens? Sleep comes on them.

When he came back to his disciples, he found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, “Can‘t you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there‘s another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.” Matthew 26:40-41

But listen to the words of Jesus in this. He has no anger, but as a father with his child on a busy street He makes a statement to be alert and stay close. “Don’t wander.”

Could this be the awake He is calling us to? The awake he is calling me to? I know this, when I’m not near Him in prayer and the word, the temptations of this world call to me and I am more prone to listen to them than to His beautiful voice.

It’s time to be awake and to abide with Jesus. To hear Him as he prays, to soak in every beautiful word. For soon He will be taken.

Teach me to listen.

AW Tozer: truth seeking prophet?

If one were to define of prophet as “a person who speaks for god or a deity, or by divine inspiration” then A.W. Tozer seems to be one. His devotional thoughts from the C&MA website for today’s devotion strikes at the core of what it means to seek truth.

Let me say boldly that it is not the difficulty of discovering truth, but the unwillingness to obey it, that makes it so rare among men.

What do I take away from a statement such as this? Nothing less than a prayer that God would make me a seeker of truth at all costs. That I would not allow anything in the way of that pursuit, and that God would show me by His word what steps need to be taken in everything.

Following Him to Calvary

So I was having dinner with a dear friend of mine last night and we got to talking about the sacrifice of following Jesus. It means to carry the cross He has for us and live in love and service for those that we meet on our path.

I recalled a song by Todd Agnew called My Jesus and one lyric that really haunts me:

Which Jesus do you follow?
Which Jesus do you serve?
If Ephesians says to imitate Christ
Then why do you look so much like the world?

I want to be like my Jesus!
I want to be like my Jesus!

Not a poster-child for American prosperity, but like my Jesus
You see I'm tired of living for success and popularity
I want to be like my Jesus but I'm not sure what that means to be like You Jesus
Cause You said to live like You, love like You but then You died for me
Can I be like You Jesus? I want to be like my Jesus

And snap, there it is. Love incarnate, laying His life down for his friends, pouring out the last ounces of compassion on a soul that called for His death and was the reasoning behind it. For me.

So what does that look like in my day to day? If I'm honest with myself I see MUCH room for improvement. But what it really comes down to is loving someone often in spite of how I feel at the moment. Living like Jesus, loving sacrificially, and possibly laying down my life in many ways. Accepting them with the love of Jesus, realizing that He is working in their lives as much he is mine.

Heading to the cross

So here we are marching toward the cross. This last week before ressurection Sunday is full with meaning for me. In the most real way it isngreater to me than Christmas.

In some small way I attempt to consider the thoughts of my sweet Jesus as he prepares for the cross:

The shadows of this life are stretching out and the grave yawns wide before me. The promise of a painful death and separation from all things good looms and I drop to my knees. Abba, you are good and powerful. You know I have been with you and for you from eternity past and the great burden you ask me to carry weighs heavy on my soul.

Such grief and despair none has ever carried. And by your will shall never bear again. But now? In this place? At this dark hour I face the ultimate betrayal. A friend will turn me in and another will swear he has never known me. All those you have given me will turn away and I will be completely alone. Even you will turn your back on me and I will die.

Is there no other way? Must I be completely wrung out and drained for them all? Look at them. Like sheep caught in a thicket bleeting for help. And some not even knowing their peril.

Oh, Abba, I will go. I will go that they will be free. I will go that they will be with us forever. I will take their sin on my back and die in their place so that we will have them forever. I will lay down my life for my friends. Take my life for theirs and allow me to pay for their crimes. I willingly give my all for them.

Let me reiterate that this is just a simple imagination of the thoughts that could have been in Jesus' heart and not some weird revelation thing or anything else like that.

It's just an exercise to try to imagine His perspective. For are we not all called to give ourselves for Him that the world might know that Jesus is who he claims to be and did what has been reported for over 2000 years now?

In some small way may these words show anyone reading this that Jesus is real. He really loves you and died to prove it.