If you travel in the MySpace world, you can visit me at:
http://www.myspace.com/5335560
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
Art and faith...
Here is a shot of my art studio in the corner of my garage. I am currently preparing for a showing in December at Jacob's Well. It will be my artistic coming out of the closet event. Exposing myself to the judgment of my peers, a slightly anxious step.
I find that doing art has similar challenges as walking out faith; particularly when it comes to making the commitment to put an idea on canvas or paper. It takes courage to commit to trying. I am currently working on a painting of Marilyn Monroe. I struggle with realism, so painting a woman is a real tough one for me. Deciding to try and take the step to put the paint on the canvas was tough. Paint isn't cheap! So learning is expensive, so I have to count the cost and once I start there is no turning back....good or bad.
The truth is, you only become better at your craft by doing your work. No other way around it and in fact the more risks you take the more satisfaction you find. I wanted to do more stuff and in order to accomplish that, I had to let go of what I was familiar with and venture into the unknown. I am so glad I did. Learning to let go of realism was a big hurdle for me. Most of my art has always been copying other peoples art. So having everything look just like the original was critical. That is important as a new artist but sooner or later you have to stop reproducing other peoples art and make your own...that is a step of faith too.
It takes a measure of courage to be an artist.
I find that doing art has similar challenges as walking out faith; particularly when it comes to making the commitment to put an idea on canvas or paper. It takes courage to commit to trying. I am currently working on a painting of Marilyn Monroe. I struggle with realism, so painting a woman is a real tough one for me. Deciding to try and take the step to put the paint on the canvas was tough. Paint isn't cheap! So learning is expensive, so I have to count the cost and once I start there is no turning back....good or bad.
The truth is, you only become better at your craft by doing your work. No other way around it and in fact the more risks you take the more satisfaction you find. I wanted to do more stuff and in order to accomplish that, I had to let go of what I was familiar with and venture into the unknown. I am so glad I did. Learning to let go of realism was a big hurdle for me. Most of my art has always been copying other peoples art. So having everything look just like the original was critical. That is important as a new artist but sooner or later you have to stop reproducing other peoples art and make your own...that is a step of faith too.
It takes a measure of courage to be an artist.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Thanksgiving rewind....
A bunch of people from our church decided to have Thanksgiving together at Jacob's Well on Thanksgiving day. We opened it up to anyone who wanted to join us or didn't have anyone to share it with and ended up having over 60 people! We had a ton of food and enjoyed the evening with old and new friends. It was awesome to have our 12 KaRen friends join us for their first Thanksgiving in the America. They seemed a bit overwhelmed for sure but I saw some going back for seconds. It was moving to know that our dinner was it for some people that joined us. Moments like that make you so grateful to be a part of something like this.
Yesterday a bunch of us decorated Jacob's Well for the Christmas season. I will post some pictures soon of the amazing decorations and the two sidewalk windows that are amazing! It was cool to be able to add some beauty to the neighborhood and show we love it and are glad to be here.
I was amazed at the hard work and creative ideas that the crew had. But what really moved me was that after the few that were left at night were done, they came up with the idea to go and put Christmas lights up at one of the KaRen's homes. So after a long afternoon of work, we trudged off in the freezing cold and did a drive by lighting for Moon Light and his family. It was so great to see his kids faces pressed up against the window with smiles from ear to ear. it made the bitter cold worth it.
I knew it really was special when a neighbor came out and watched us throwing the lighting party. You never know what kind of impact you are having when you simply live it, not programed, planned or pushed...just faith working by love.
With all the dissing on churches these days...last night made me proud to be a part of this community of Christians. You folks amaze me.
Yesterday a bunch of us decorated Jacob's Well for the Christmas season. I will post some pictures soon of the amazing decorations and the two sidewalk windows that are amazing! It was cool to be able to add some beauty to the neighborhood and show we love it and are glad to be here.
I was amazed at the hard work and creative ideas that the crew had. But what really moved me was that after the few that were left at night were done, they came up with the idea to go and put Christmas lights up at one of the KaRen's homes. So after a long afternoon of work, we trudged off in the freezing cold and did a drive by lighting for Moon Light and his family. It was so great to see his kids faces pressed up against the window with smiles from ear to ear. it made the bitter cold worth it.
I knew it really was special when a neighbor came out and watched us throwing the lighting party. You never know what kind of impact you are having when you simply live it, not programed, planned or pushed...just faith working by love.
With all the dissing on churches these days...last night made me proud to be a part of this community of Christians. You folks amaze me.
100% proof gospel vs the other stuff....
Are you living under a curse? You are if you are seeking to live by the law.
All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith. -Galatians 3:10-11
Ohhh that's mighty stiff! Many Christians can't take it that strong, they want a watered down swig of a "different" gospel. Under a curse...chew on that for a while. I started a new series of messages today from the book of Galatians. We will be going through verse by verse for the next 6 weeks. A condensed but potent look at Paul's theological stick of dynamite that goes for the jugular of works based gospels. This book is not for the timid, Paul takes the gloves off and goes fist to face with a distorted gospel.
We...know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified....if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" -Galatians 2:16,21
Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. Galatians 5:2-4
Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. -Galatians 3:25
Amen!
All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." 11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith. -Galatians 3:10-11
Ohhh that's mighty stiff! Many Christians can't take it that strong, they want a watered down swig of a "different" gospel. Under a curse...chew on that for a while. I started a new series of messages today from the book of Galatians. We will be going through verse by verse for the next 6 weeks. A condensed but potent look at Paul's theological stick of dynamite that goes for the jugular of works based gospels. This book is not for the timid, Paul takes the gloves off and goes fist to face with a distorted gospel.
We...know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified....if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" -Galatians 2:16,21
Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. Galatians 5:2-4
Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. -Galatians 3:25
Amen!
Friday, November 24, 2006
Thoughts on the Mission of Mercy article....
Read the full article here, without having to link to local paper:
http://aburningbush.blogspot.com/
With a lot of feedback from the article, I want to clarify a few points.
* This whole journey is one that God has brought all of us into. There is an obvious unfolding plan of God in the events, people and circumstances in all this. No one can take credit for the work or the opportunity to serve the purposes of God. He awakens, empowers, connects, softens and makes one sensitive, sheds light, puts faith and love in our hearts and weaves continents, people and stories together for His glory and for Justice.
* Each of us are called to carry our own load in it all. Some are called or choose...to risk and sacrifice more.
* We must obey the call of Jesus to serve, love and work for justice for the poor....Especially the ones that we live with or around. That is the whole point of the good Samaritan story. You look under your nose first and then out to the fields around you. Mission isn't something you wait to do, it is something you are on, no matter where the location.
* If we obey the call of Isaiah 58 the promises of the chapter will follow too.
* God most often uses people who are willing but sometimes He knocks you off your self-focused horse (Like Paul) blinds you with a God-focused revelation and transforms you in an instant for His purpose and glory.
* The main point of the article and my first hope is that Burmese lives are saved, political, humanitarian and religious action is stirred, our KaRen brothers and sisters in Burma get their freedom and lives back. It's about them.
My hope and prayer is that people will stop dreaming and move to vision. We need dreams but more than that we need a vision on how to fulfill that dream and that will take faith, courage, boldness and plain old guts. Nothing that is important will happen without putting your butt on the line. There are plenty of dreamers in the grave with their dreams.
http://aburningbush.blogspot.com/
With a lot of feedback from the article, I want to clarify a few points.
* This whole journey is one that God has brought all of us into. There is an obvious unfolding plan of God in the events, people and circumstances in all this. No one can take credit for the work or the opportunity to serve the purposes of God. He awakens, empowers, connects, softens and makes one sensitive, sheds light, puts faith and love in our hearts and weaves continents, people and stories together for His glory and for Justice.
* Each of us are called to carry our own load in it all. Some are called or choose...to risk and sacrifice more.
* We must obey the call of Jesus to serve, love and work for justice for the poor....Especially the ones that we live with or around. That is the whole point of the good Samaritan story. You look under your nose first and then out to the fields around you. Mission isn't something you wait to do, it is something you are on, no matter where the location.
* If we obey the call of Isaiah 58 the promises of the chapter will follow too.
* God most often uses people who are willing but sometimes He knocks you off your self-focused horse (Like Paul) blinds you with a God-focused revelation and transforms you in an instant for His purpose and glory.
* The main point of the article and my first hope is that Burmese lives are saved, political, humanitarian and religious action is stirred, our KaRen brothers and sisters in Burma get their freedom and lives back. It's about them.
My hope and prayer is that people will stop dreaming and move to vision. We need dreams but more than that we need a vision on how to fulfill that dream and that will take faith, courage, boldness and plain old guts. Nothing that is important will happen without putting your butt on the line. There are plenty of dreamers in the grave with their dreams.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Great article in local paper...
Without being to vain, I want to send along a link to our local paper (http://www.spokesmanreview.com) that has a front page article on the KaRen people we have been helping resettle in Spokane. Kevin(the reporter) did a phenomenal job in sharing the history, the conflict and the growing hope of the KaRen and other ethnic people in Burma. I am so grateful for his expertise and willingness to shed light on the story. He contacted me about the potential story and I am so glad he did. I pray that the exposure will lead to further support and help as we join in the struggle for freedom in Burma. Our KaRen friends have endured and faced so much both at home and here, may their faith and hope produce greater love and support for the ongoing work ahead.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Gaz man
For those who remember Gaz Kishere from Blaze 2005, he is causing trouble over at Myspace and would love a visit if you want to stay connected. You can visti him at: http://www.myspace.com/gazdrum
Kings of the moment...
And once below a time I lordly had the trees and leaves
Trail with daisies and barley
Down the rivers of the windfall light.
And as I was green and carefree, famous among the barns
about the happy yard and singing as the farm was home,
In the sun that is young once only,
Time let me play and be
Golden in the mercy of his means,
And green and golden I was huntsman and herdsmen, the calves
Sang to my horn the foxes on the hills barked clear and cold,
and the sabbath rang slowly
In the pebbles of the holy streams.
-Dylan Thomas, "Fern Hill"
I love this piece...if you cut open my soul and looked on the outside of it's skin, this would be tattooed on the fabric of my memory. You could read it woven out of a hundred gasps at discovered beauty as a boy. fleeting minutes that were holy and end up seared into your desires and never leave no matter how many paved streets you are imprisoned out of necessity to walk. These places are easily read in the scars from adventuring that cover my aging flesh.
It's sad that the wounds that are more fresh and visible are the results of lesser things. Oh for the splinter, the bruise, the bumps and the badges of exploration that only are awarded to the ones who are oblivious to tomorrow and were...kings of the moment.
Trail with daisies and barley
Down the rivers of the windfall light.
And as I was green and carefree, famous among the barns
about the happy yard and singing as the farm was home,
In the sun that is young once only,
Time let me play and be
Golden in the mercy of his means,
And green and golden I was huntsman and herdsmen, the calves
Sang to my horn the foxes on the hills barked clear and cold,
and the sabbath rang slowly
In the pebbles of the holy streams.
-Dylan Thomas, "Fern Hill"
I love this piece...if you cut open my soul and looked on the outside of it's skin, this would be tattooed on the fabric of my memory. You could read it woven out of a hundred gasps at discovered beauty as a boy. fleeting minutes that were holy and end up seared into your desires and never leave no matter how many paved streets you are imprisoned out of necessity to walk. These places are easily read in the scars from adventuring that cover my aging flesh.
It's sad that the wounds that are more fresh and visible are the results of lesser things. Oh for the splinter, the bruise, the bumps and the badges of exploration that only are awarded to the ones who are oblivious to tomorrow and were...kings of the moment.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
give me a face like a lion...
New UFC welterweight world champion George St Pierre beat the title off of Matt Hughes Saturday night. It was a stunning upset, Matt had beaten George in their last fight but this time George was...hungry. I'm a big fan of Matt Hughes, with his only four defeats in over 40+ matches, Matt is a master. But GSP was magnificent...truly an up and coming force to reckon with in the days to come. I was amazed by his aggressive and diverse attacks that punished Matt into a knock out by a kick to the head. If fighting can be beautiful, that match was hot. I pondered the upset and the challenge of keeping a title vs fighting for one. I simply don't think one can muster up the needed fire in the belly to keep something you have; compared to the growling lust for attainment. Matt melted in the furnace of George's meteoric rise.
It reminded me of the "Mighty Men of Valor" described in 1 Chronicles 12:8 "...men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear and whose faces were like the faces of lions and they were swift as the gazelles on the mountains." There are not enough men with the faces of lions today. The tumultuous righteous hunger has been doused with a pretty pink pepto piety. Mighty men of valor know what they want and go after it. Many boys in grown ups clothes today haven't a clue what they want. Or they live under paralyzing mentality that they don't deserve what they desire so deeply in their numbed hearts. They have allowed themselves to be de-fanged of the necessary bite to fight for what they must, to become who they were born to be.
It gets safe at the place of familiarity. Mild accomplishment can breed besetting timidity and a fearfulness can set in like a debilitating spiritual arthritis. It can turn a once hungry man into a sedentary could have been. It reminds me of the chiding of Moses to the sons of Gad and Rueben, "Shall your brothers go to war while you yourselves sit here?
Have we found our war? Or will we be content to sit back and watch someone else fight for our amusement?
God stir our blood again and again and awaken in our breast the fierceness of the lion of Judah, until we hunger like we have never hungered before!
It reminded me of the "Mighty Men of Valor" described in 1 Chronicles 12:8 "...men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear and whose faces were like the faces of lions and they were swift as the gazelles on the mountains." There are not enough men with the faces of lions today. The tumultuous righteous hunger has been doused with a pretty pink pepto piety. Mighty men of valor know what they want and go after it. Many boys in grown ups clothes today haven't a clue what they want. Or they live under paralyzing mentality that they don't deserve what they desire so deeply in their numbed hearts. They have allowed themselves to be de-fanged of the necessary bite to fight for what they must, to become who they were born to be.
It gets safe at the place of familiarity. Mild accomplishment can breed besetting timidity and a fearfulness can set in like a debilitating spiritual arthritis. It can turn a once hungry man into a sedentary could have been. It reminds me of the chiding of Moses to the sons of Gad and Rueben, "Shall your brothers go to war while you yourselves sit here?
Have we found our war? Or will we be content to sit back and watch someone else fight for our amusement?
God stir our blood again and again and awaken in our breast the fierceness of the lion of Judah, until we hunger like we have never hungered before!
life mapped on skin
I've spent a lot of time over the years with the homeless and this site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stoneth/sets/72057594053556807/
capture the homeless faces in a powerful way, worht a look if you like photography.
capture the homeless faces in a powerful way, worht a look if you like photography.
Friday, November 17, 2006
This Saturday night
This Saturday night, Blauer's house at 6:30 PM live on pay-perview is
UFC 65 "Bad Intentions" you can see the promo here: http://65.ufc.com/
Reasons to be thankful...
Here is a current map of the military straggle hold that the Burmese's dictatorship has on the various ethnic groups struggling to flee and resist them. You can see that our KaRen friends left a dangerous and chaotic situation. Death, rape, forced labor and relocation, land-mines and various other dangers were part of living the IDP life (Internally Displaced People).
This year we will be throwing a Thanksgiving Dinner at Jacob's Well Church for anyone who wants to join us. So far we have around 60 people. It will be amazing to sit down with our KaRen friends and truly see gratitude and pure thanksgiving. Not unlike the early pilgrims must have experienced after fleeing political and religious oppression in their own homeland.
This holiday season we have the blessing of living out the heart of Jesus as expressed in Matthew 23:25 "I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in." We truly have much to be thankful for in this great nation and it's been moving to watch our KaRen friends discover that for themselves.
Please pray for my brother Matt and the team as they risk much to bring aid to these people during the holiday season. It is dangerous work and they need our prayers.
This year we will be throwing a Thanksgiving Dinner at Jacob's Well Church for anyone who wants to join us. So far we have around 60 people. It will be amazing to sit down with our KaRen friends and truly see gratitude and pure thanksgiving. Not unlike the early pilgrims must have experienced after fleeing political and religious oppression in their own homeland.
This holiday season we have the blessing of living out the heart of Jesus as expressed in Matthew 23:25 "I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in." We truly have much to be thankful for in this great nation and it's been moving to watch our KaRen friends discover that for themselves.
Please pray for my brother Matt and the team as they risk much to bring aid to these people during the holiday season. It is dangerous work and they need our prayers.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
...for the nations.
The average Christian around the world gives 15 cents a week to foreign missions. The average Christian in Europe gives 25 cents, and the average believer in North America gives 50 cents - less than the cost of a cup of coffee. (Source: Missions Researcher Justin Long (quoted in Baptist Press)
The above statistics are brutal but in many ways they are understandable to me based on how most Christians are exposed to "missions". If the need is always presented in a impersonal, non-connected, paper-based or video-based way...you won't generate much sustained momentum for a cause. (oh and by the way, where is he drinking coffee?)
I think people need to connect with people they know, they need to see, touch and hear the world they are trying to be awakened to help. That can come about through finding ways to move from just being a church that has visiting "missionaries" to becoming a church that is on a mission. Seeking as Erwin Mcmanus says to build a church full of people who see themselves as missionaries no matter where God calls them to live. I long to send out people to plant churches not just support those who we discover are doing it. I think it takes both but if we are honest, we really have not seen to many people carry a call to the nations and actually go. Lot's of talk but not lots of walk in this area. I long to see that change.
The “wine” of heaven is to endlessly experience God’s love passing through one’s soul as it is expressed to others. That is at the heart of missions. We go because we love and we love because God has placed His love within our hearts. Our capabilities create responsibilities. Our indifference creates casualties. We are needed to advance the purposes of God in this generation.
The hardest thing for people to believe in the world is that God is good. What is God’s plan for making this believable to suffering people? We are the plan. He doesn’t have another plan. You are the light of the world – let your light so shine among men that they will see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven -Author unknown
I pray that God will grant us the boldness to act on His word in ways that will unfold more and more stories that will proclaim His glory to the world. Stories that produce this result: "Tell your children about these things, then let your children tell their children, and let your grandchildren tell their children." (Joel 1:3 NCV). Let's create history with our own hands and feet.
Those who love stay awake when duty calls, wake up from sleep when someone needs help; those who love keep burning, no matter what, like a lighted torch. -Thomas Kempis
I truly believe that the Lord of the Harvest has a "burning torch" for some people or place for all of us in some way that only we can fulfill. Will it cost? Yes, will it be worth it? Yes...eventually.
The above statistics are brutal but in many ways they are understandable to me based on how most Christians are exposed to "missions". If the need is always presented in a impersonal, non-connected, paper-based or video-based way...you won't generate much sustained momentum for a cause. (oh and by the way, where is he drinking coffee?)
I think people need to connect with people they know, they need to see, touch and hear the world they are trying to be awakened to help. That can come about through finding ways to move from just being a church that has visiting "missionaries" to becoming a church that is on a mission. Seeking as Erwin Mcmanus says to build a church full of people who see themselves as missionaries no matter where God calls them to live. I long to send out people to plant churches not just support those who we discover are doing it. I think it takes both but if we are honest, we really have not seen to many people carry a call to the nations and actually go. Lot's of talk but not lots of walk in this area. I long to see that change.
The “wine” of heaven is to endlessly experience God’s love passing through one’s soul as it is expressed to others. That is at the heart of missions. We go because we love and we love because God has placed His love within our hearts. Our capabilities create responsibilities. Our indifference creates casualties. We are needed to advance the purposes of God in this generation.
The hardest thing for people to believe in the world is that God is good. What is God’s plan for making this believable to suffering people? We are the plan. He doesn’t have another plan. You are the light of the world – let your light so shine among men that they will see your good works and give glory to your father in heaven -Author unknown
I pray that God will grant us the boldness to act on His word in ways that will unfold more and more stories that will proclaim His glory to the world. Stories that produce this result: "Tell your children about these things, then let your children tell their children, and let your grandchildren tell their children." (Joel 1:3 NCV). Let's create history with our own hands and feet.
Those who love stay awake when duty calls, wake up from sleep when someone needs help; those who love keep burning, no matter what, like a lighted torch. -Thomas Kempis
I truly believe that the Lord of the Harvest has a "burning torch" for some people or place for all of us in some way that only we can fulfill. Will it cost? Yes, will it be worth it? Yes...eventually.
Return of the devils bite
As you can see from the incision above, I had another run in with the doctor yesterday. I thought I was doing good for awhile, the spider bite (located at the very bottom) was healed and the first incision at the top left was healed, scared and good. But then after that all cleared up I got this nasty flu/cold punch that laid me out for week.
Then about two days ago another set of wonderful infections started appearing under my arm and the largest yet. I woke up yesterday feeling mighty low and running a fever, so I headed to the doctor. The lump according to the doctor was about the size of a grapefruit internally/externally, he tried to lance it but nothing really came out (real fun process) so they sent me to get a CT scan. That's where they shoot you with some strange dye and put you in a metal coffin and soak your bodies with radiation and watch the scientific food coloring go through the infected areas and see if there is anything going on that will require a surgeon to deal with. The results came back good, no internal pockets of infection.
It appears that the last infection from the bite returned because the antibiotics were not strong enough. But....(don't Doctors always find something else?) they detected I had pneumonia on-top of it all. No wonder I was feeling like dung. I mean coughing up bloody lung butter and squeezing out puss from various small painful flesh volcanoes makes for a tough little day but at least I understand why I felt like I had absolutely been drained off all my energy too.
Sooooo I just have to wait the infection out and rest, blah blah blah. All of this started in October, which just happened to be about one of the most busy times of the year for me with everything going on here. Hoochee Mamma it's been tough.
So the moral of this gross story little children is:
Stay away from spiders.
Then about two days ago another set of wonderful infections started appearing under my arm and the largest yet. I woke up yesterday feeling mighty low and running a fever, so I headed to the doctor. The lump according to the doctor was about the size of a grapefruit internally/externally, he tried to lance it but nothing really came out (real fun process) so they sent me to get a CT scan. That's where they shoot you with some strange dye and put you in a metal coffin and soak your bodies with radiation and watch the scientific food coloring go through the infected areas and see if there is anything going on that will require a surgeon to deal with. The results came back good, no internal pockets of infection.
It appears that the last infection from the bite returned because the antibiotics were not strong enough. But....(don't Doctors always find something else?) they detected I had pneumonia on-top of it all. No wonder I was feeling like dung. I mean coughing up bloody lung butter and squeezing out puss from various small painful flesh volcanoes makes for a tough little day but at least I understand why I felt like I had absolutely been drained off all my energy too.
Sooooo I just have to wait the infection out and rest, blah blah blah. All of this started in October, which just happened to be about one of the most busy times of the year for me with everything going on here. Hoochee Mamma it's been tough.
So the moral of this gross story little children is:
Stay away from spiders.
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Fight Night
Saturday night at my house, pay-per view UFC 65 "Bad Intentions" is on the big screen. If you are interested, send me and email to let me know you will be there. No sea foam green allowed.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Praying for fire...
“Those who attend our ministry have a great deal to do during the week. Many of them have family trials, and heavy personal burdens to carry, and they frequently come into the assembly cold and listless, with thoughts wandering hither and thither; it is ours to take those thoughts and thrust them into the furnace of our own earnestness, melt them by holy contemplation and by intense appeal, and pour them out into the mold of the truth. A blacksmith can do nothing when his fire is out and in this respect he is the type of a minister. If all the lights in the outside world are quenched, the lamp which burns in the sanctuary ought still to remain undimmed; for that fire no curfew must ever be rung. We must regard the people as the wood and the sacrifice, well wetted a second and a third time by the cares of the week, upon which, like the prophet, we must pray down the fire from heaven.” - C.H. Spurgeon, Lectures to My Students
The mysteries of God
Imagination does not breed insanity. Exactly what does breed insanity is reason. Poets do not go mad; but chess-players do. Mathematicians go mad, and cashiers; but creative artists very seldom...Poetry is sane because it floats easily in an infinite sea; reason seeks to cross the infinite sea, and so make it finite. The result is mental exhaustion...To accept everything is an exercise, to understand everything a strain. The poet only desires exaltation and expansion, a world to stretch himself in. The poet only asks to get his head into the heavens. It is the logician who seeks to get the heavens into his head. And it is his head that splits. -GK Chesterton
In 1 Cor. 4:1 Paul says: "Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. And in Col. 4:3-4: "Praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.
What challenge and holy responsibility. In the last few weeks there have been many times when I began to reach into the mist of these mysteries and by God's grace tried to preach Christ in such a way as to bring light to things hidden concerning the mystery of salvation. It is a difficult yet important task but one littered with potential dangers and I think that is why many seem to avoid the topics. Even the reformers were wary of digging to far into the secrets of God and implored us to preach what was revealed because the secret things belong to God. Speaking of the dangers of trying to figure out the deep counsels of God concerning salvation Calvin warned that it could become: “...a labyrinth, from which the mind of man can by no means extricate itself." and the wild boar of the reformation warned: “The old Adam must be quite dead before you can endure this matter and drink this strong wine. Therefore make sure you don’t drink wine while you are still a babe at the breast.” -Martin Luther
Mysteries indeed.
In 1 Cor. 4:1 Paul says: "Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. And in Col. 4:3-4: "Praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.
What challenge and holy responsibility. In the last few weeks there have been many times when I began to reach into the mist of these mysteries and by God's grace tried to preach Christ in such a way as to bring light to things hidden concerning the mystery of salvation. It is a difficult yet important task but one littered with potential dangers and I think that is why many seem to avoid the topics. Even the reformers were wary of digging to far into the secrets of God and implored us to preach what was revealed because the secret things belong to God. Speaking of the dangers of trying to figure out the deep counsels of God concerning salvation Calvin warned that it could become: “...a labyrinth, from which the mind of man can by no means extricate itself." and the wild boar of the reformation warned: “The old Adam must be quite dead before you can endure this matter and drink this strong wine. Therefore make sure you don’t drink wine while you are still a babe at the breast.” -Martin Luther
Mysteries indeed.
Reformed or in need of reforming?
Galatians 5:4, "You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace"
"...grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" -2 Peter 3:18.
I am about to complete a 5 week series on the five Sola's of the reformation: Scripture alone, Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone and this week is God's glory alone. It has amazed and troubled me how many people seem to be hearing these theological truths for the first time.
One comment showed me the reality that so much of our conversations about the bible, christian life and faith are clouded in man centered ideas and teaching. One person made this innocent but revealing statement: "So my christian walk is based on what Christ did?"
Is hearing a gospel from childhood to adulthood that is based on man's work very serious? Well...listen to Paul in his letter to the Galatian church:
If anyone is preaching to you a gospel different from or contrary to that which you received [from us], let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment) -Galatians 1:9. Thats serious business, them be fight'n words for sure!
Is the clarity of the gospel essential to living and walking with Christ?
According to the Apostle Paul, it really is and yet so many people really have a confused understanding of Christ's work and the completeness of it. Ask most christians why the gospel is good news and they most likely can't tell you...oh, how far the church has drifted from the rock of the finished work of Christ. God give us more reformers that will preach Christ and Him crucified.
"...grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" -2 Peter 3:18.
I am about to complete a 5 week series on the five Sola's of the reformation: Scripture alone, Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone and this week is God's glory alone. It has amazed and troubled me how many people seem to be hearing these theological truths for the first time.
One comment showed me the reality that so much of our conversations about the bible, christian life and faith are clouded in man centered ideas and teaching. One person made this innocent but revealing statement: "So my christian walk is based on what Christ did?"
Is hearing a gospel from childhood to adulthood that is based on man's work very serious? Well...listen to Paul in his letter to the Galatian church:
If anyone is preaching to you a gospel different from or contrary to that which you received [from us], let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment) -Galatians 1:9. Thats serious business, them be fight'n words for sure!
Is the clarity of the gospel essential to living and walking with Christ?
According to the Apostle Paul, it really is and yet so many people really have a confused understanding of Christ's work and the completeness of it. Ask most christians why the gospel is good news and they most likely can't tell you...oh, how far the church has drifted from the rock of the finished work of Christ. God give us more reformers that will preach Christ and Him crucified.
lol
A woman went up to the bar in a quiet rural pub...
She gestured alluringly to the bartender who approached her immediately.
She seductively signaled that he should bring his face closer to hers.
As he did, she gently caressed his full beard.
"Are you the manager?" she asked, softly stroking his face with both
hands.
"Actually, no," he replied.
"Can you get him for me? I need to speak to him," she said, running her
Hands beyond his beard and into his hair.
"I'm afraid I can't," breathed the bartender.. "Is there anything I can
do?"
"Yes. I need for you to give him a message," she continued, running her
Forefinger across the bartender's lip and slyly popping a couple of her
fingers into his mouth and allowing him to suck them gently.
"What should I tell him?" the bartender managed to say.
"Tell him," she whispered, "There's no toilet paper, hand soap, or paper
towels in the ladies room."
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Brokeback mountain: christian edition
I am sorry but this made me laugh out loud...bad pastor...bad pastor...
http://mattstone.blogs.com/eclectic_itchings/2006/11/
brokeback_mount.html
Sunday, November 05, 2006
More than a t-shirt
This is a Free Burma Ranger t-shirt...the words say it all.
http://www.freeburmarangers.org/
Pray for them and my brother as they work to serve God's purposes for these amazing people. They serve at great risk and personal sacrifice.
God Speed brothers and sisters, we are praying for you.
http://www.freeburmarangers.org/
Pray for them and my brother as they work to serve God's purposes for these amazing people. They serve at great risk and personal sacrifice.
God Speed brothers and sisters, we are praying for you.
Doors were open for trick or treaters
We had our doors open at Jacob's Well on Halloween night and had around 100 people come through, 45 first time visitors. The children's ministry leaders Bill and Sue and helpers, had carnival games and all kinds of goodies. Great job team!
Saturday, November 04, 2006
wisdom indeed...
"I've missed more than 9,000 shots, lost almost 300 games; twenty-six times,
I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed.
I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
-Michael Jordan
Friday, November 03, 2006
Punch me in the face, please...
I finished reading a recent article on Christians and the arts and
realized so much of what is being said is so mamby pamby. So much of
the conversation is painfully timid. It made me long for someone to
let lose a whip in the temple. God have mercy is there any fire
burning in anyones bones today? I appreciated the discussion
presented in the article but found myself hoping for something more
salty. Many of the thoughts though correct in my opinion were tired
and bland. They felt like words with mittens on. I long to see some
bare knuckled writing, taking the gloves off and go for the knock
out. So much of the conversation sounds like two English women
sipping tea instead of the iconoclastic ruminations of an artist on
the edge. Maybe the artists need to start speaking up instead of the
ones consuming the art?
In fact, that really is what is needed...more artists to just do
their art in the boldness and in your face rawness of the artistic
tradition. More talk just seems to muddy the water. It reminds me of
conversations I have with people who tell me they are "into" art. I
ask to see their work and they make up excuses to why they have
nothing to show. An artist does art, a writer writes, a photographer
takes pictures, a film maker produces a movie! STOP TALKING AND DO
SOMETHING!!!!
Write something that grabs me by the balls and ignites my freezing
blood. Throw out the buffet style discussions that all taste the same
and are made for dying people eating with dentures. Give me a thick,
juicy steak that awakens the feasting madness in me that is needed to
break out of this MSG culture.
For God sakes and for hell bound souls...Somebody pick a fight and
throw a punch that matters.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Doing the prayer jig...
I talk to God.
How can one not respond to the One who is speaking (Hebrews 12:25).
I think a lot of the teaching on prayer that I hear is anthropocentric,
a big word that means man centered. We lose sight of the great truth
of the gospel both hidden in the shadows of the old or in the light
of the new that God is the initiator and we are the responders. I
think that is an important to understand in prayer and most
everything else in the christian life.
I think a lot of the issue is our culture. We are a self focused
people, everything holy gets turned into something about
me...somehow, someway. Most of the excitement about prayer is often
focused around something that has do with benefiting me, my church or
our little world. Now, I do think that prayer is about us as well..we
are the ones called to pray and present our needs to the Father. It's
the move towards a circus like atmosphere that was present on the top
of mount Carmel that worries me. It's the way a holy act of
listening, sharing and obeying starts looking or sounding like a work
instead of a means of Grace.
I pray...But my prayer life is with a person not a machine.
Person-hood has seasons, movement, closeness and nearness, periods of
great passion and intimacy and eclipses of shadow. The tide comes in
and moves out. There are times when we are united in such a way that
one seems to be lost in the other. But there are also times when both
of us seem to be on different planets talking through a can and
string. I don't worry about it. I don't wring my hands in a heat of
manic introspection. I trust the seasons and the Life of God in me and
for God to be the initiator in my spiritual life. I trust Him to be
Lord and shepherd of my soul. I have placed my spiritual life in His
hands and He has been faithful to lead, guide, correct and resurrect
me. He visits me by His grace and through the means of grace that He
has given me to enjoy and draw near to Him. I find Him because He
reveals Himself to me in many ways and many forms and the results are
always a humble thankfulness for His self-revelation to me. He draws
me, He speaks to me, He walks with me as a friend who has said He
would never leave me nor forsake me. That frees me from performance
and fear or a need to bend His arm. It liberates me from thinking I
have to get His attention, wake Him up or kick Him in the pants to
get Him to do something. I have resigned to the fact that I am not
God's secretary, wife or parent. I am simply His servant, here to
serve Him at His bidding. That is a place of rest, not inactivity but
form a posture of peace, security, confidence and humility.
I have been involved in the prayer movement...in different forms. I
was at the CAll DC, I've trekked to the UK to talk, see and
experience some of the hotspots of the 24-7 prayer movement, I have had contact with some of the leaders and offspring of the movement. I've read the books, the websites and been involved in the "flow" as it
expresses itself in corporate gatherings and local late night prayer
and fasting vigils. I cut our youth churches teeth on MIdnight
prayer. I'm just trying to give some background to show that I am
speaking from within not without the movement. I hope to help read
the map, adjust the sails and arrange for the best man power where it
is needed to catch the moving wind. A crazy yet necessary task, I am
also tending to my own sails and seeking to best equip the church to
catch the great wind of God that was unleashed on Pentecost and is
making its way through our planet in His time, in His way and with
His glory in sight as the end.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
KaRen children singing
We have posted a short video of the KaRen children singing at our
church on Sunday, as well as a short thank you from Moon Light.
www.jacobswellspokane.com
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