Here in America it is difficult for us to grasp the concept of struggle. For us our prayer requests are usually governed by work, girls (or guys), and making payments we don't have the money for. About 30 years ago and halfway around the world in South Africa people's prayers were for the downfall of a racist government that was oppressing their people. I've been in bible discussion groups where people have the audacity to tell me Romans 13:1-4 is our charge as Christians to not impact our government and let it take us whereever it so desires because they are "agents of the Lord most High". That it means America was wrong in de-throning Saddam Huessein, Saddam was God's appointed leader and to be wielder of the sword of justice in Iraq.
The Kairos Document is one of the most beautiful papers the church has produced in the past 100 years. A group of anonymous church leaders fearing for their lives officially released a statement declaring their unilateral disapproval of their nation's racist government.
"There must be no misunderstanding about the moral duty of all who are oppressed to resist oppression and to struggle for liberation and justice."
Ask around the church landscape for their opinion on the matter of Romans 13 and you will see the modern day atrocities in the castration of God's Holy Spirit. Unwavering support for our leaders- this is unnacceptable because I will not stand by, and Jesus expects you not to stand by, while justice is not met by God's agents in the government. What I truly admire, and many criticize, is the way Rick has handled the PEACE plan- E: Equip Servant Leaders. He has built in the true biblical failsafe where we are to not only preserve good, we are to actively bring down evil and graft good in. To have South Orange County the capital of Sheepsville, Middle Class ready to pursue this is amazing. I can't wait for the day where this doctrine of blind following is finally brought down.
Wikipedia Searches for You:
-Kairos Document
Friday, August 28, 2009
Monday, December 1, 2008
Ordinary People with Extraordinary Tasks
I just realized tonight why I appreciate my pastor so much, for these 6 years I've never been able to put my finger on it- but after watching "Accepted" I realize why.
Rick Warren has the amazing ability to trust ordinary people with extraordinary tasks, not only that he is so confident in them that it beams them to levels they never would have gone. To have someone who has accomplished so much, still trust the ordinary man or woman with HUGE tasks like the PEACE plan, and the fact every ministry is volunteer led at his church is completely an amazing fact- its a level of trust that most of us don't even get from our parents.
You see to me, Jesus' call to bring the Good News to the poor, destitute, and the sinner being given to a small group of laymen, mostly workers like fishermen, is the universal message God gives to mankind- you can do it, by My power, anything is possible. Warren does nothing, but echo that original call from God Almighty.
When will we learn, there are consequences to every action? We want slim bodies, but we want McDonalds, we wish to have the endurance of pumas yet we drive cars to our workplaces instead of running. We have been told for so long what we must be doing- its time we cut back the throttle on that useless chase, and figure out what we're supposed to be doing with our lives. Just as Rick says every time someone approaches him with a ministry idea, "Great idea, you lead it." Most would get frustrated because we look at the cash cow and buildings accumulated and ask why we can't have a piece- when we must realize that what's being taught there is that God WILL provide, you need to step out in faith and accomplish what is on your heart.
What we've been told about getting an "A" in life is as follows: go to college, get a job in the corporate world where you can accumulate money, buy a house, get a wife, start a family, retire. I say if we really think hard, that is what our brains would say is true. But our hearts scream for more, more adventure, more risk, more passion where instead of becoming an indentured servant for the purpose of the American dream, we take a no bull, honest look at who we are, and we go from there.
I'm riding my bike to work tomorrow.
Rick Warren has the amazing ability to trust ordinary people with extraordinary tasks, not only that he is so confident in them that it beams them to levels they never would have gone. To have someone who has accomplished so much, still trust the ordinary man or woman with HUGE tasks like the PEACE plan, and the fact every ministry is volunteer led at his church is completely an amazing fact- its a level of trust that most of us don't even get from our parents.
You see to me, Jesus' call to bring the Good News to the poor, destitute, and the sinner being given to a small group of laymen, mostly workers like fishermen, is the universal message God gives to mankind- you can do it, by My power, anything is possible. Warren does nothing, but echo that original call from God Almighty.
When will we learn, there are consequences to every action? We want slim bodies, but we want McDonalds, we wish to have the endurance of pumas yet we drive cars to our workplaces instead of running. We have been told for so long what we must be doing- its time we cut back the throttle on that useless chase, and figure out what we're supposed to be doing with our lives. Just as Rick says every time someone approaches him with a ministry idea, "Great idea, you lead it." Most would get frustrated because we look at the cash cow and buildings accumulated and ask why we can't have a piece- when we must realize that what's being taught there is that God WILL provide, you need to step out in faith and accomplish what is on your heart.
What we've been told about getting an "A" in life is as follows: go to college, get a job in the corporate world where you can accumulate money, buy a house, get a wife, start a family, retire. I say if we really think hard, that is what our brains would say is true. But our hearts scream for more, more adventure, more risk, more passion where instead of becoming an indentured servant for the purpose of the American dream, we take a no bull, honest look at who we are, and we go from there.
I'm riding my bike to work tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
5 Alive
Defining each, to balance them better:
Worship- Being aware of God constantly, and giving Him praise through song, prayer, and being in communication with Him through the Word.
Fellowship- Gathering with believers, in a way that will grow each other relationally in trust and brotherhood, but with a clever dash of fun to keep the scene alive.
Discipleship- Pouring ourselves into the next generation of believers, or even the next generation of your vocation. Also, it is a good idea to have someone pouring into you as well.
Evangelism- outreach into the community and the rest of the world, telling others the Gospel by word and action, a general principle to keep us from a retreat into the sanctuaries keeping with our fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Ministry- using your SHAPE (talents and personality type things) to serve the body of Christ. This could be in the form of a homeless ministry, or helping out on tech arts- or simply just being a ministering agent to individuals who have a need within the body of Christ.
Notice, every single one is mostly a duty to serve others. Thus in this, we fulfill our mission.
Worship- Being aware of God constantly, and giving Him praise through song, prayer, and being in communication with Him through the Word.
Fellowship- Gathering with believers, in a way that will grow each other relationally in trust and brotherhood, but with a clever dash of fun to keep the scene alive.
Discipleship- Pouring ourselves into the next generation of believers, or even the next generation of your vocation. Also, it is a good idea to have someone pouring into you as well.
Evangelism- outreach into the community and the rest of the world, telling others the Gospel by word and action, a general principle to keep us from a retreat into the sanctuaries keeping with our fulfillment of the Great Commission.
Ministry- using your SHAPE (talents and personality type things) to serve the body of Christ. This could be in the form of a homeless ministry, or helping out on tech arts- or simply just being a ministering agent to individuals who have a need within the body of Christ.
Notice, every single one is mostly a duty to serve others. Thus in this, we fulfill our mission.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
The Problem With Purity
I don't know where the notion that good and evil are equals battling out for an unknown outcome because when they clash it is an even fight. Hasn't anybody watched Star Wars?
"...when you take the quick and easy path, as Vader did, you will become an agent of evil."
-Yoda (Empire)
The expression, "Deal with the devil" comes to mind, we desire something, so we make a deal with ourselves to suspend our better judgment to obtain this wish of ours. An inherit quality of evil, is that it gives you exactly what you want at the moment you want it with no work on your part, the cost only being your soul (Not to say this is a bad in EVERY case, as I plan to go to the local amazing burrito establishment later tonight and popping an advil to kill my headache after I watch the presidential debates). I will go deeper into this on my purposedrivenposterchild.blogspot.com, but for now realize this difference, that although evil can have a lot of power it was gained at a speed not meant for our faculties to control it- that is why we have corrupt beings in this world, good however, is a different things entirely. To be a liar, you lie once, and you can then do it however many times you'd wish. The amazingly difficult thing about honesty, is all you need to do, is not do it once in order to lose your title as an "honest person."
Good, the road of the righteous, is a much harder journey, but in the end we must wonder why Jesus said, "repay good for evil," because He knew, that the only way to fight a bomb, is to diffuse it. "Anger will never bring forth the righteousness of God" must be taken as a blanket statement for all things that would gain us what we wish (even if it be justice, or "good" things), but must also be considered that Jesus knew exactly where we are. We're coming to this fight with our reserves empty, and not much hope of reinforcement on the horizon from ourselves. We still must consider that this powerul man of God said that love is what will defeat evil, not that love might defeat evil on the open battlefield if all things go right, he said it WILL...
Then the only logical explanation is the forces of good have not even begun to tap into the vast resource that carries their name. We compromise because our mission becomes our god, we get a glimpse of our goal, and the taste on the air makes us go crazy for it, we then are willing to sacrifice our purity of heart, one of the requirements for good, to get what that striving for good wants. We cannot do this any longer. Any time we compromise is one more step backwards that we cannot afford to take. Purity is not just a word to be used for preachers warning kids about the dangers of pre-marital sex but it is a word that was used for refining metals. Pure gold, is nothing but gold. Pure good, is nothing but good, this must be our striving, but herein is the problem- how many times have you set out with a commitment on your own strength- you know it is not possible. Only with the full power of the reserves of good can you do this, and the only way for this, for our final charging of the gates of evil, is to ask the One who first laid His Sword to the fiery metal and has been relentless on it from the moment of its construction. Let that reserve flow through you, let His love be your guide, do not give in to systems to keep you from sin, or to please your conscience that you did your civic or christian duty, let it be an outpouring of His Spirit and take up Heaven's charge as a Son of God, by the blood of Jesus Christ:
"on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it."
Gates of Hell overcoming? How can gates overcome unless they are moved? This implies that where the Kingdom of God is not, the kingdom of hell is. With the tools of good, we must work to push the gates of the Kingdom forward, and not allow there to be any pockets left whether it be in our lives, or in this world. I leave you with this, because you can't let God change the world, if you can't let God change your heart first:
"In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." (Hebrews 12:4)
*Jesus sweat blood in a struggle against temptation to spoil His purity, its time we do.
"...when you take the quick and easy path, as Vader did, you will become an agent of evil."
-Yoda (Empire)
The expression, "Deal with the devil" comes to mind, we desire something, so we make a deal with ourselves to suspend our better judgment to obtain this wish of ours. An inherit quality of evil, is that it gives you exactly what you want at the moment you want it with no work on your part, the cost only being your soul (Not to say this is a bad in EVERY case, as I plan to go to the local amazing burrito establishment later tonight and popping an advil to kill my headache after I watch the presidential debates). I will go deeper into this on my purposedrivenposterchild.blogspot.com, but for now realize this difference, that although evil can have a lot of power it was gained at a speed not meant for our faculties to control it- that is why we have corrupt beings in this world, good however, is a different things entirely. To be a liar, you lie once, and you can then do it however many times you'd wish. The amazingly difficult thing about honesty, is all you need to do, is not do it once in order to lose your title as an "honest person."
Good, the road of the righteous, is a much harder journey, but in the end we must wonder why Jesus said, "repay good for evil," because He knew, that the only way to fight a bomb, is to diffuse it. "Anger will never bring forth the righteousness of God" must be taken as a blanket statement for all things that would gain us what we wish (even if it be justice, or "good" things), but must also be considered that Jesus knew exactly where we are. We're coming to this fight with our reserves empty, and not much hope of reinforcement on the horizon from ourselves. We still must consider that this powerul man of God said that love is what will defeat evil, not that love might defeat evil on the open battlefield if all things go right, he said it WILL...
Then the only logical explanation is the forces of good have not even begun to tap into the vast resource that carries their name. We compromise because our mission becomes our god, we get a glimpse of our goal, and the taste on the air makes us go crazy for it, we then are willing to sacrifice our purity of heart, one of the requirements for good, to get what that striving for good wants. We cannot do this any longer. Any time we compromise is one more step backwards that we cannot afford to take. Purity is not just a word to be used for preachers warning kids about the dangers of pre-marital sex but it is a word that was used for refining metals. Pure gold, is nothing but gold. Pure good, is nothing but good, this must be our striving, but herein is the problem- how many times have you set out with a commitment on your own strength- you know it is not possible. Only with the full power of the reserves of good can you do this, and the only way for this, for our final charging of the gates of evil, is to ask the One who first laid His Sword to the fiery metal and has been relentless on it from the moment of its construction. Let that reserve flow through you, let His love be your guide, do not give in to systems to keep you from sin, or to please your conscience that you did your civic or christian duty, let it be an outpouring of His Spirit and take up Heaven's charge as a Son of God, by the blood of Jesus Christ:
"on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hell will not overcome it."
Gates of Hell overcoming? How can gates overcome unless they are moved? This implies that where the Kingdom of God is not, the kingdom of hell is. With the tools of good, we must work to push the gates of the Kingdom forward, and not allow there to be any pockets left whether it be in our lives, or in this world. I leave you with this, because you can't let God change the world, if you can't let God change your heart first:
"In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." (Hebrews 12:4)
*Jesus sweat blood in a struggle against temptation to spoil His purity, its time we do.
Friday, September 26, 2008
The Difference Between Plans and Preparation
As a leader (you are one, if you know anyone- because you influence them, and leadership is influence, you can suck at it or you can practice it) you are obligated to see things from a different perspective than your fellow man.
Recently graduating from college and having my first shot at working full time (usually more than full time) I have received tons of advice, books, and various paraphernalia all trying to get me to advance in life, most of all this, is goal-oriented. I have found however that goals, when that's all you have, turn men into monsters. We focus on getting stuff done, and not the journey and adventure the goal creates. This is not to say we are not to have goals- in fact I have them, however I have taken the next necessary step to "lay out my pack" for the next day's hike.
In boy scouts, they teach you about the ten essentials- ten items that are needed to sustain human life outside of cities. So whenever we'd hike, whether it be a day hike or a 50 miler, we would have those things (of course in larger quantities for the 50 miler). Which brings me to my point- how big are your goals? Are they God-given? Then why have you not taken the necessary steps to prepare for them? Setting aside daily prayer time for them? Securing non-wavering devotion everyday by getting on your knees and in the Word to expect revelation and strength from God? I look at my goals and they are far off, but I know at least one is up in 3 years, am I any closer to becoming the man necessary to meet it? This particular one requires such passion and zeal for God, as well as a complete revamping of my character before Him- and I rely on Him to do that, but I also know that it would be much less difficult a surgery if I let it take place over time and not wait until the last minute. In real life, late night homework assignments suck just as much as in school life- but the importance of these assignments are one-hundred fold what they were in academia. When you grow, do it evenly in the five purposes, it takes longer, but you will have a wider, safer expanse to praise God throughout.
Recently graduating from college and having my first shot at working full time (usually more than full time) I have received tons of advice, books, and various paraphernalia all trying to get me to advance in life, most of all this, is goal-oriented. I have found however that goals, when that's all you have, turn men into monsters. We focus on getting stuff done, and not the journey and adventure the goal creates. This is not to say we are not to have goals- in fact I have them, however I have taken the next necessary step to "lay out my pack" for the next day's hike.
In boy scouts, they teach you about the ten essentials- ten items that are needed to sustain human life outside of cities. So whenever we'd hike, whether it be a day hike or a 50 miler, we would have those things (of course in larger quantities for the 50 miler). Which brings me to my point- how big are your goals? Are they God-given? Then why have you not taken the necessary steps to prepare for them? Setting aside daily prayer time for them? Securing non-wavering devotion everyday by getting on your knees and in the Word to expect revelation and strength from God? I look at my goals and they are far off, but I know at least one is up in 3 years, am I any closer to becoming the man necessary to meet it? This particular one requires such passion and zeal for God, as well as a complete revamping of my character before Him- and I rely on Him to do that, but I also know that it would be much less difficult a surgery if I let it take place over time and not wait until the last minute. In real life, late night homework assignments suck just as much as in school life- but the importance of these assignments are one-hundred fold what they were in academia. When you grow, do it evenly in the five purposes, it takes longer, but you will have a wider, safer expanse to praise God throughout.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Rick Warren With a Baseball Bat
Is standing on the corner of Purpose Drive and Portola Parkway saying, "Quit hiding behind your blogs and come see some of Jesus' love!"
Well he doesn't really have a baseball bat, but I'm sick of (I won't name them) theologians, bungholes, and people who spend way too much time with their bibles and not Jesus on the internet bagging on Rick Warren and Saddleback Church for "watering down" the Gospel. Just because we don't launch our God-given cruise missles against each other (other Christian Churches)'s theology instead of following the charge of loving those around us doesn't make us people worthy of getting goobers handing out tracts on the worship center stairs.
The smug retorts of a certain pastor with a blogwalking around the campus saying they went up to every gang of teenagers who looked like they "needed the Gospel" just to find they have bibles in their hands but didn't quite know their stuff- come and get ME, don't pick off the weak ones in your pharisetical (I made it up- mixture of 'pharisee' and 'parenthetical') eyes just to prove that "there's no fruit" at this "feel-good-gospel" church.
Come talk to me, come email my parents, come talk to my friends who all in many different ways have been brought to a point of maturity while attending this church, even my own brother who I tried with your awesome-pharisee tactics for three years to get him to go to church, then finally by God working through his peers at Saddleback Church now has brought him to a point where I would weigh his heart against any of you playa haters and he's 16. Wanna know why? Because at Saddleback Jesus invaded that heart- and that's all you need to know.
mrworfengage@gmail.com
-come and get me, quit lobbing grenades like a wuss and have a true knife fight of love.
Well he doesn't really have a baseball bat, but I'm sick of (I won't name them) theologians, bungholes, and people who spend way too much time with their bibles and not Jesus on the internet bagging on Rick Warren and Saddleback Church for "watering down" the Gospel. Just because we don't launch our God-given cruise missles against each other (other Christian Churches)'s theology instead of following the charge of loving those around us doesn't make us people worthy of getting goobers handing out tracts on the worship center stairs.
The smug retorts of a certain pastor with a blogwalking around the campus saying they went up to every gang of teenagers who looked like they "needed the Gospel" just to find they have bibles in their hands but didn't quite know their stuff- come and get ME, don't pick off the weak ones in your pharisetical (I made it up- mixture of 'pharisee' and 'parenthetical') eyes just to prove that "there's no fruit" at this "feel-good-gospel" church.
Come talk to me, come email my parents, come talk to my friends who all in many different ways have been brought to a point of maturity while attending this church, even my own brother who I tried with your awesome-pharisee tactics for three years to get him to go to church, then finally by God working through his peers at Saddleback Church now has brought him to a point where I would weigh his heart against any of you playa haters and he's 16. Wanna know why? Because at Saddleback Jesus invaded that heart- and that's all you need to know.
mrworfengage@gmail.com
-come and get me, quit lobbing grenades like a wuss and have a true knife fight of love.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Tearing It Up From the Pulpit
In preparation for the 40 Days of Love campaign, I am sitting down with my small group tonight and asking them to do some homework alongside me. Before we take this love to the streets I want to move from a place of strength, and unfortunately these weak and frail bodies are all we got. So in an effort to secure the fence before we move forward, I'm starting a preliminary campaign using my Boy Scout Badges as the guiding factors (Personal Management and Personal Fitness mostly). We often have this ultimate goal and plan for our lives, but when asked what it is we often give the "right" answer, "To bless God and love Him." To me this is so ambiguous, and it allows for our vision to become clouded. God wouldn't just plop us on this earth without a distinct plan that He would explain to us. This is not to say I went into my backyard one day and the bush was on fire and it told me the blueprint for my life, this IS to say, I have been given certain things I'm privy towards (for me: Filmmaking, scriptwriting, lesson plans) I'm not GREAT at these because I don't practice them, I let lesser priorities rule over me so much more often. Those lesser priorities can be controlled when we organize and properly manage our lives- once this is conquered, we will find it easier to step out in faith and thus increase in our love of God and others.
For me, I need to get control over my spending on food, a set allotment for fast food, and for groceries and I cannot exceed those amounts. Also setting realistic goals for finishing books, finishing editing projects, and also stopping this stupid idea that if I wait and think about a script or a movie longer it will be better. This is war, I need to start shooting back, and not worrying I'll be out of bullets later on- God will provide (haven't you played video games? Just destroy the boxes and you'll find some).
Basically: gain control of your life and then when the campaigns come, we will be focused and dedicated to the mission, and not our own pursuits.
For me, I need to get control over my spending on food, a set allotment for fast food, and for groceries and I cannot exceed those amounts. Also setting realistic goals for finishing books, finishing editing projects, and also stopping this stupid idea that if I wait and think about a script or a movie longer it will be better. This is war, I need to start shooting back, and not worrying I'll be out of bullets later on- God will provide (haven't you played video games? Just destroy the boxes and you'll find some).
Basically: gain control of your life and then when the campaigns come, we will be focused and dedicated to the mission, and not our own pursuits.
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