Mannequins and Masks

I have been underground in the lab for a minute, taking a break from the routine of life. Reading, researching, reflecting, re-purposing, and re-engaging. So what are the results? There is a degree of worldliness reflected in Church Life that is staggering! In Christian circles, worldliness is historically categorized by how you dress, what music you listen to, what movies you see, how close you are to people that are not Christians and so on. However, worldliness goes beyond those things. Are the middle class values of safety, security, and the American Dream worldly values held on to by the Church? Is it worldly to share the viewpoint that the poor, unemployed, homeless, and destitute have always brought their troubles on themselves? Is it worldly to pursue and proclaim prosperity as a Biblical value when history shows otherwise? Is it worldly to establish leadership structures in churches that mirror Wall St more than the Via Dolorosa?

As I read the Bible, study the landscape of the world, and listen to cutting edge Christian leaders I am convinced that the way we "do church" is a poor substitute for God's design. I challenge anyone to read Luke 10, the Gospel of John, and the Book of Acts and compare it to what we do today. Jesus did not tell us to plant churches. He told us to make disciples. He said that HE would build his church. We have instead built churches, preached the Romans Road instead of the Gospel of the Kingdom, gotten decisions, made converts, and wondered why people are going in and out of our churches so frequently.

Everything and I mean everything starts with a heavenly revelation of who Jesus Christ is! This is the rock that the gates of Hell cannot prevail against. Somebody has to take a stand for the truth! Let it begin with me.

I Never Want To Graduate

I have had the wonderful privilege this year of being reminded of some important things that I had lost sight of in my walk with Jesus. My faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but the power of God (1 Corinthians 2:4-5). I should trust the Lord Jesus Christ first and foremost concerning the affairs of my life. The Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Christ, is the source of my life. The Gospel is life-giving, life-changing, and truly good news. It is not just about conversion but it is a way of life. That God uses everybody in his Kingdom, not just the chosen few.

The Lord uses disappointments to clarify vision, reset foundations, and re-direct paths. I have realized that my dream from twenty years ago is not so far-fetched but is indeed viable and attainable. I have come to grips with my quirkiness and while I wish that everybody in the body of Christ understood me, I realize that I am who I am by the grace of God. He does not want me to be a clone, but the unique person he made me to be. I understand my gifts and realize that I have to work in concert with other believers in order for the Lord to accomplish what he desires to through me.

So the cross, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus as Lord are the realities I've experienced this year. The best thing that I have learned is that you never graduate from Jesus being the center of everything. Strong meat and "deeper teachings" should all have Jesus as the Alpha and Omega and everything in between. Nothing too profound here but thoughts to consider.

These books have really helped me this year and I highly recommend them to you.

DETOX FOR THE OVERLY RELIGIOUS by Dave Putman
THE TANGIBLE KINGDOM by Hugh Halter
THE FORGOTTEN WAYS by Alan Hirsch
DREAM B.I.G. IN 3D by Paul Wilson, Jr.
THE JESUS MANIFESTO by Frank Viola and Leonard Sweet
ORGANIC CHURCH by Neil Cole