Tae Kwon Do

Jonatha competed recently in her second tournament. She fought very well and made some very nice technical moves. She has a natural ability to fight and has found a great fit for her with this sport. She won the battle against the green belt, but fell to her fellow teammate in the final (who has a wee bit of a size advantage!). We're proud of you Jonatha...done real good.

Baby on Board

He's here! Liam Drew, born Wednesday, October 22, 2008, 1:00pm. 19-1/2 inches, 6 lbs 13 oz. He's doing great, eating well and is a very content baby. Thanks for the huge amount of notes on Facebook and emails of encouragement. We are so blessed by our friends and family!

Community (one last time...)

Okay, one more serious blog before the baby arrives this week...then you'll get hammered by baby pictures!

I've been reading 1 John lately. This week I was back in chapter 2 where it says, "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." Got me thinking some more about community. We've had a lot of discussion on community, primarily in a local mindset. I feel confident it's been addressed quite well and on many levels. However, community extends its reach worldwide...if we allow it to do so. Consider the last part of that verse, "...also for the sins of the world." Jesus, in his ultimate sacrifice and expression of love, offers himself to anyone who believes. That is not exclusive. It's inclusive. He put himself on the cross to allow anyone the choice to accept that very sacrifice. He said he would draw all men to himself when he was lifted up from the earth (John 12:32). His resurrection compels people to consider him for salvation.

I've been told that my faith is narrow-minded. That statement could not be further from the truth. Jesus' sacrifice is the most inclusive act of love ever to be done on this earth. He paid the penalty for the sins of the world and then made it available to anyone, regardless of their sins. It's called grace. And if that very grace is extended to me, I should find no struggle in extending it to others, locally and beyond.

So, how does this figure into community? Well, I think in America we have become exclusive. We tend to think as followers of Christ in this country that we are God's chosen people. That God favors America as a Christian nation. I find this to be a problem. I don't believe we are a Christian nation, rather a nation with a large number of Christians living in it. And I don't believe we are favored. I think the American church is missing the point in many ways. We spend tons of money on huge buildings, pastoral salaries, programs designed to fit our cultural relevance, even interest on massive loans to make it all happen. Just when we complete building projects, we find ourselves needing more building and the process starts all over. I'm not against church buildings, programs, salaries, etc. I question the pattern of the American church that they take priority over the obvious needs of our communities, locally and globally.

I have been compelled lately to get back to a global mindset. Jesus weeps over the lost across this great globe. He loves the Iraqi child deeply, who has been murdered under the banner of the war being 'God's will'. He longs for those in Darfur and Tibet to come to know him and surrender their lives to him. He waits patiently for his chosen people to see him as their Messiah. He died on the cross for them and offers his mercy freely. He longs for the day when America cares more deeply about justice for all the innocent of this world, not the defense of her borders. No, I don't have a bunch of verses to back that up...it's simply God's character, as shown by the entire scriptures.

No, I'm not angry. I find myself sad lately because I am part of the problem. It's taken me 16 years of knowing Jesus to get it. And I'm saddened by that fact. I'm saddened that I can't remember the last time I sent my money across the globe to feed a hungry child, or provide medical assistance to an AIDS victim in Africa. It's also been a year since I've talked to Tim, a homeless guy on Pearl Street that I personally find to be one of the most intelligent persons with whom I've engaged in conversation. I miss that. I miss the compassion. I want it back...and I think God is giving it back to me.

Community deserves this discussion. We need to talk with one another about how we can step it up and live, breathe this thing called community. Jesus did it. He wants us to do it. Let's do it.

Community (Continued)...

Ever find yourself sitting in a place with a group of people and realize you're the only person not laughing at something just shared? Can be awkward, really. I found myself in that situation recently. Thing is, I didn't feel awkward at all. I felt peaceful. I suppose because in my heart I sensed the Spirit of God compelling me toward him and reminding me that truth trumps the humor of the moment and not laughing actually provided some peace.

Social situations can be complicated. We find ourselves longing so deeply for community that we may compromise our convictions for a shared laughter, maybe even a smile to avoid any possible conflict. But is that community? Earlier this week the small group we are leading had discussion on community again. This time we addressed specific characteristics of community by examining several passages of scripture. We talked over peace, harmony, unity for a great deal of the time. Interesting when you break it down like that. For example, what did Paul mean when he urged believers to live in "harmony"? How does that differ from peace? Think about it.

Rewind to the "awkward" moment. I had a choice. Speak up and say the laughter was misplaced and I risk ridicule, angry responses, isolation from the group. Laugh, and I am inclusive, accepted, welcomed. Remain silent, and I risk either consequence. I walked away from that unnoticed mostly, so I doubt anything came of it. But, it has me thinking this week...community really goes so much deeper than I realized. There are so many layers to this discussion, I wonder if it will ever really conclude. So be it. If it makes me consider God more deeply, I'm game.

Community

“What is community?” is a question that has come up recently in my circles. In fact, the issue of community is something my small group is grappling with right now. And, there have been some interesting discoveries. We have dealt with the typical discussion of community in its purest sense, discussing the practical aspects of community. But, what happens to that discussion when we look at community in the Godhead? What changes might we encounter by examining how God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit experience community? Are there any real, hard passages to unpack regarding this issue in the Bible? Does the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit experience community the way we do? How does the One experience community in his three beautifully expressed Persons?

Community quite possibly may be the very heartbeat of evangelism. I can say with confidence it is not the foundation. The foundation is God himself. But, the more I live in community in an active way, living and breathing it to send a message of hope, I realize its importance goes beyond my highest assumptions. Community can be expressed in many ways. Community can be discussion about God, relationships, family. Community can be a worship experience amongst followers of Christ. Community may be a group of people sharing a time of prayer. Community may be a group of men discussing hard issues over a pint at a local pub, or a family hosting friends at their house for a movie. It may be watching your neighbor’s children while they run errands, or calling an old friend to join you for lunch. It looks, feels and happens differently in different circles. But one thing I have found is that we often miss it happening. We miss the simple beauty of community while striving to achieve goals, evaluate strategies for ministry, memorizing a sermon, and having church meetings. These things in and of themselves are of no harm. It’s when they take priority over community that the real danger occurs. When I read the scriptures, I don’t walk away from it moved by the apostles’ incredible passion for board meetings. I don’t see Paul calling people to pursue excellence in managing church programs. I don’t read about Jesus requiring his followers to be on time for accountability meetings. I am moved by the undying commitment by the apostles to reach the lost by teaching the truth in love. I am moved by Jesus calling all people to walk by faith and follow him radically. I am moved by the promise of the Spirit after Jesus left the earth to equip us do great things.

We have been called to live and breathe this thing called faith. We are called to be about the business of living transformative lives before the world in front of us, seeking to make disciples. It requires something. It requires us to get our hands dirty and get into the mix of our world around us. It requires us to dive into the places many people don’t want to dive into. And I don’t even need to list examples because each and every one of us knows what those places are for us. Here’s the thing…there are people around us who live in fear.There are people around us who are hurting, real hurts. There are people around us being abused, neglected, ignored. There are people around us who think they have it all together, but the reality is, they don’t. There are people who have never once had someone authentically look them in the eye and tell them “I love you”. And those of us who have the hope of Jesus are stewards of the promise that the joy of living eternally is but a step of faith away in anyone’s life. I am constantly challenged with the thought of “what am I doing this week to initiate community”. I want to challenge you with the same thought today. More to come...