Are WE a Safe Place?

I just spent an incredible weekend at a gathering with some dear friends. Many of them I have known for years. Others I met for the first time. With each of them I discovered a safe place. A sense of belonging, community, and encouragement. Which begs the question for each of us: Are WE a Safe Place?

What we do out of opportunity, the early church did out of necessity. You have to understand the environment that the 1st Century Church was birthed into. They were outcasts. Rejects. Rebels. The world was not affirming, and the community was not accepting. The more they grew, the greater the hostility toward this movement. While many of them eventually had to gather in secret, it is what they found in community that made all of the difference. This place...these people...were a safe place to become.

When the writer of Hebrews admonished the followers of Christ to continue to assemble, he was not creating a standard to be adhered to. I believe he was reminding them of the safe place they had with one another. It was here in this community that they would have freedom, encouragement, and receive strength in the journey. Outside of this community there were no guarantees. Many of them had already lost homes. Some of them had been driven out of their townships. Others had lost jobs, prestige, and any sense of belonging. It was with the brethren that they were reminded of who they were and what they were living for.

Why would the church of today be any different? They were not gathering to be told how worthless they were. They were not joining together so someone could take a platform and let them know how they were a miserable excuse for a Christian. They came to have life and have it more abundantly among one another. It was here that they could practice their faith without hindrance. Without fear. In fact, when you read about the correction that Paul brought to many of these churches you will find that he was dealing with those who would spoil this environment. Favoritism. Immorality. Schisms. Gossip. Backbiting. A Lack of Love. Grievances. Unforgiveness. All of these things would bring great damage to the Body. Not to mention the legalists who would show up and make them feel lack. It was those who crept in who sought to disrupt the safety of these gatherings that Paul was dealing with. The Church was meant to be a safe haven. A place of strength. A place of becoming.

Would they deal with issues? Absolutely!
Would they bring correction? In a heartbeat!
Would they love deeply? No question!
Would they walk alongside them? Without hesitation!
This is the church that we long for. The community to which we desperately want to belong. A place of healing. Where we can learn to overcome, discover more and more of the goodness of God, and learn what it means to live life well. A people where love has taken root and permeates everything that we say and do.

How do I handle those who sin differently than me? What is my response (or reaction) to those who have wallowed in the darkness of this world? What is my heart to the brother/sister who struggles? Shame? Condemnation? Judgement? Or am I willing to allow love to cover a multitude of sins? Will they find a safe place in me? Will they finally be able to come out from under all of the judgement that they have heaped upon themselves? The questions are endless. Who will I be for the broken, the outcast, and the lost?

Speaking of Jesus, Isaiah said that "a bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench; He will faithfully bring forth justice." It is in this Spirit where we learn what true community is all about. Where we discover family. As I type these words I am reminded of a song I heard many years ago. In the chorus it asks this question, "Why do the chosen kill their wounded?" Has the world not seen enough infighting? Have they not witnessed our disapproval of one another? Read our blogs, listened to our sermons, or watched our videos where we disavow our brothers and sisters for their differences? They do not see unity among us. They experience firsthand the lack of love among the brethren. Where is their safe place if it is not with us?

With all of that being said, I still believe that the best days of the church are ahead of her. I believe that there is an awakening among us. Where the Spirit is working to ignite the flame of Koinonia in our hearts. Seeking to create the community that the Father has longed to see in the Earth. A real game changer in the Kingdom. It will take time, but I see pockets of it all around the globe. I have met people from various states and countries who have no other agenda but to see this culture take root so they will be a safe place in their nation. It's beautiful! Full of life and love. Excited to witness the heart of the Father in every person. Ready to experience the fullness of life that can only be discovered in Him.

This is the sound of sons coming home. May we hear their cry. May they find shelter and security in us. As we walk in the fullness of the Father's love, may they experience true community among us. May they find a safe place for becoming.

Living Life

Greetings everyone.
I apologize for the absence of posts this week. I've said this before but it bears repeating: Sometimes life gets in the way of blogging.
I trust that you have had a blessed week, and hope to share with you the next one.
Until then, think about the following Rich Mullins quote. Shalom!

What Do You Do With That?

A friend of mine posted an article from Outreach Magazine that was written by Perry Noble. The title was "A False Teaching That Drives People Away From Church." He explains what he heard from another pastor while watching some sermons online. I'm amazed at how people can simply let some of this stuff go.

The unnamed pastor that Perry spoke of said something about how all of us must understand that we are nothing more than a walking disappointment to our heavenly Father. WHAT? Really? And while I am blown away by statements such as this one, unfortunately far too many people believe this nonsense. You will not find this statement in Scripture. It was never uttered by Jesus. EVER! And it just goes to prove why so many people have nothing to do with church. I mean, it's one thing to make statements about those who don't know Jesus, but what about those who have put their faith and trust in the Lord.

Before anyone thinks they need to come and correct my thinking I want to make a few things crystal clear. I realize that Paul wrote that "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." I know that Isaiah made the statement that "we all like sheep have gone astray." But nowhere do we find such a blanket statement about God's disappointment of us. Would it be fair to say that is saddens the heart of God when we walk outside of our identity? Does it seem logical that there are things that grieve the Spirit of God? Doesn't it make sense to think that God simply wants for us to walk in abundant life each and every day that we live? I would say "Yes!" I don't have a problem thinking that God is saddened by our choices. Not in a disappointed kind of way but in an I really care about you kind of way. This isn't the best for your life, and I really don't want you to miss out kind of way. There is a difference.

Actually, when we read the Scriptures we discover a God who continually reached out to a stubborn people. Continued to pursue His creation. And ultimately sends His Son to deal with the mess they had created. Jesus came to restore our vision of God. To reconcile us back to our Creator. To rescue us from our brokenness. The Father didn't set this plan in motion (before the foundation of the world) because of His disappointment. He did it out of His great love for us. That is the testimony of the Scriptures. Not only that, but to think that we will always be a disappointment leads us into a life of defeat. Why try? The odds are stacked against us.

No friends, the testimony of the Scriptures is that you have been made the righteousness of God in Christ. The testimony of the Apostles is that you have been made a new creation. Old things have passed away. Rather than a disappointment, you are the apple of God's eye. His image and likeness in the Earth. You are loved, accepted, and part of the beloved. A far cry from this pastors misunderstanding about humanity and the nature of God. Think about it. I desperately want to see people live in everything that God has provided for them. I want them to know the freedom they possess, the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit, and the full forgiveness of sin. I want fear to be eradicated from their minds, and for them to live as more than conquerors in this world. If all we will ever be is a walking disappointment to God then we might as well hang it all up and just hope there is enough mercy to get us through.

The reason why most people swallow this type of thinking is because it agrees with their own sense of self-worth. This is how they feel about themselves already. Or it's how religion has taught them to feel. Never measuring up. Always missing the mark. Just a big screw up among the masses. All the while Jesus is pleading with us to believe with Him. To see the treasure that we truly are. To enjoy the abundant life that He has provided. I ask you, which of these requires the greatest amount of faith to believe: You are (and will always be) a walking disappointment to God OR I am free forever from condemnation?

Walk with people who want to edify you rather than put you down. Listen to the leaders who believe the best about you rather than the worst. Find a church family who is going to draw out of you everything that God placed within you, rather than try to fit in with those who are constantly living below their created design. This madness has to end. Paul said that we should have joy and hope in believing. To believe that you will always be a walking disappointment creates neither.

You should enjoy the journey. You are being conformed to the image of Christ.

What Do You Think?

After a wonderful conversation with a close friend yesterday, I was reminded of our need to ask questions. I guess one could also word this as our need to seek answers. Over the past several years I have noticed how so many people within the church fear any type of questioning. As soon as you being to ask questions about the Bible and long standing beliefs they will brand you as someone who cannot be trusted. This fear of questions, or this fear of answers that may differ from your own, has created a stifled church community. I mean...what do you think?

This is a real picture. It exists because of poor translation. Apparently this is a sign outside of one of those churches you tour and is meant to keep the chatter at a minimum. However, this sign points to a sad reality among many believers. We don't want questions. And we definitely don't want answers that may disagree with the ones we already possess. What we have failed to realize is that within the Christian faith that are many answers to our various questions. If it were not so then there wouldn't be thousands of Christian denominations. I guess some people don't know how to handle disagreement.

Please understand where I am coming from. The conversation with my friend reminded me that people do have questions. They honestly want answers. There are things that concern them about certain beliefs the church has widely held as orthodox. They aren't trying to be combative. They aren't looking for an excuse to live in some sinful lifestyle. They want to know God fully and understand the Bible that they read.

What is hard for many churches to understand is that we live in one of the most educated generations to ever walk the face of the Earth. The technological advances that the human race has made puts a lot of information at our fingertips. This isn't the church coming out of the Dark Ages anymore. This is not a culture full of illiterate people who simply follow the direction of a pastor. Most of them have a Bible in their own language, and in the style they like. They have read blogs, heard from different points of view, and watch Morgan Freeman do a documentary about God. There is no ill intent in them. They simply want answers.

My friend left me yesterday by saying, "I love talking to you because it reminds me that I'm not crazy." Here is a man who totally loves the Lord. He is a follower of Jesus. Well versed in the Bible and has studied other religions. He sees the need to go deeper, but has also experienced the resistance of those who are unwilling to understand different ideas and concepts. Something as simple as a question about the Greek text of the New Testament sends people reeling. Thoughts about the Early Church and what they believed that may be in disagreement with modern day Western Christianity causes an uproar. So I hope you will excuse me when I take pride in the fact that people have found a safe place with me.

I was looking over some images to put into the blog and came across a funny illustration. A cartoon stick figure pointing to a detailed diagram that explained the movement of church and Christianity from 1 AD. The teacher makes this statement: "So this is where our movement finally came along and got the Bible right." One of the students says, "Jesus is so lucky to have us." Maybe I shouldn't find this humorous, but I do. The idea that we have all the answers and that everyone else has it wrong is dominant within every religion and every Christian denomination. While I am firm in my beliefs, I also realize that I could be wrong in some areas. This thought process keeps me humble. It reminds me that when we are talking about God, the Bible, faith, and practice that there is a world of thought out there. Each of us are doing our best to remain true to the faith that has been handed down to us. However, it is not an excuse to check our brains in at the door.

What you think matters. The questions you have matter. Even if you are wrong in your thinking, the only way to know for sure is to seek the wisdom that only the Father can give. Each of us must trust the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. James told the church that if any of us lack wisdom that we should ask God who gives to all men generously. I couldn't agree more. This stuff matters. We cannot expect everyone to come in, shut up, and believe what we believe. That is religion. Relationship, on the other hand, encourages each person to seek out the truth.

I hope this encourages you. I hope you understand that you don't have to swallow everything hook, line, and sinker. I do want you to be grounded in some things. There are plenty of beliefs that have been handed down through the ages that have not changed. At least not in their substance. But the reality is that we are always getting revelation from the Father. My advice: Seek Him. The Answer is a Person. He will guide you into all Truth. Enjoy the journey!

Be Patient With The Becoming

2 Corinthians 5:21, "For our sake He made Him to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." Can I give you a word of encouragement? Be patient with the becoming.

I'm a firm believer that what is stated in this verse is a reality. From the Father's perspective we ARE the righteousness of God in Christ. However, it is in our practice that we often get it wrong. The beauty of Honor among us is that we are learning how to recognize this truth. To see a person not based upon their performance, but upon this amazing truth. Where we regard one another in the image and likeness of God. Where we affix the same value to them as Jesus did. People who are worthy of love, honor, and life. This is the beauty of Honor among us. The very life of Christ alive and well in the church. Where we learn to be patient in the becoming.

There is a greeting in the Hindu culture that I find intriguing. I'm sure you have seen it. They press their hands together and bow their head. The word is Namasté. It is a way of recognizing the "divine spark" within another. A way of saying "I bow to the divine in you." Now...I know that some people will take offense to this. However, I want you to see the honor at work here. The recognition of something greater within each person. If I were to take this into practice I would be saying that I honor the image and likeness of God within you. That the light in me honors the light in you.

Why is it that I find such honor among other groups and even other religions but struggle to see it within our own culture? Should we not have some type of similar greeting among us? We talk about knowing the truth, possessing the revelation of God in Jesus, and to at least being the children of God. Then why do we struggle to see the value in one another?

The answer lies within our ability to honor one another. Just for a moment I want you to think about the way in which Jesus honored us. The Scriptures declare that Jesus came unto His own even though they would not receive Him. I don't believe that this escaped the forethought of God. Jesus came to honor that which was within us. He could see our value in the Father's heart. He knew what we possessed within ourselves. One of the parables of Jesus was about the Kingdom of Heaven being like a treasure hidden in a field. A man found the treasure, buried it, and went and purchased the field. My dear friends, YOU are the treasure. The world is the field. Jesus is the man who found the treasure. Honor does not stumble over the treasure because of the field that contains it. It sees the treasure and only the treasure.

For far too long we have allowed the church to become a masquerade. Everyone comes in wearing their best masks. We look the part, know the vocabulary, and perform at our best. Unfortunately there are so many within our midst who are not experiencing life. Why? Because we have blown it in the area of honor. Honor, according to Thayer's, is a valuing by which the price is fixed. When you consider the value that Jesus placed upon each of us (the giving of Himself) then we should learn what it means to see the treasure that is each and every person we come into contact with. That we will stop requiring masks. Stop allowing people to play the part. And learn to value people for who they are. I love the quote from Bill Johnson that says, "A culture of honor is celebrating who a person is without stumbling over who they're not." It's where we learn to be patient with the becoming.

I posted this on social media this morning. I hope you can see my heart:
Honor, among us, recognizes the gift rather than the package.
It sees through the facade and/or the brokenness.
It does not require a mask.
It does not need complete agreement.
All Honor needs is a conduit. A heart that finds the treasure hidden in the field then goes and purchases the field.
Is this not the way in which Jesus came to us? Honoring what was inside of us? Determined to see the Father's image and likeness rise to the top? He didn't need our religion. He didn't need our customs and traditions. he came unto His own even thought they would not receive Him. That's Honor. That's Love. That's the Kingdom. How often do we stumble over the treasure because of the field?
#eyestoseeandearstohear

How quickly we forget how long it took us to get to where we are in our own understanding. How long it took us to get a grasp upon this thing called faith. How we continue to struggle even today. I am the righteousness of God in identity. I am becoming the righteousness of God in practice. Learning to be patient with my own becoming has given me incredible grace and mercy for the others. I don't need their perfection. I don't need their complete agreement with everything I believe. I don't even need their acknowledgment of my own journey. I see in them the treasure that Jesus sees. I want them to see it as well. I want them to believe that there is more to them than they have come to experience. Because there is a God who loves them for who they are are and not as they should be.

May this be part of your journey. To discover the treasure of every person that is in the earth. To see the image and likeness of God in yourself AND in one another. May we have eyes to see and ears to hear. The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God.

Crash

My son and I are still reading through the Barbarian Way by Erwin McManus. I'm so glad that I was able to pick up this book again and absorb its contents. I've sad it before, this is a must read. A move from the civilized faith that we have grown so accustomed to. A call to live the life of a revolutionary.

One of my favorite portions of the book is when McManus is describing the terms for different groups of birds and animals. Did you know that a group of vultures is called a committee? I'm just saying! He spends considerable time describing rhinos. Huge animals that can run up to 30 mph. The only downfall - they can only see 30 feet in front of them. A group of rhinos is called a crash. A fitting name. Even when they are grazing this is what they are called. Why? Because of their potential.

For those who have chosen to follow the voice of the Lord, this is what life looks like. We may be only able to see 30 feet in front of us, but the momentum we have gained in life doesn't slow us down. It's a lot like the people described in Hebrews 11:15, "If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return." I love this verse. It reminds me to continue to take the ground before me. To continue towards that which the Lord has revealed. To never look back, slow down, or to concern yourself with the unknown.

While you may feel as though you have come into this conversation in the middle, I want to encourage you to keep going. There is much that the Lord is doing in our day that seems out of the ordinary. A mystical journey, if you will, for those who are willing to follow Him. For many it seems out of touch with reality. It's definitely different than what we have grown accustomed to. But isn't that part of the problem? That we have so civilized the Christian faith that we don't know how to handle those who have grown tired of being instutionalized? Or have we gotten used to the idea that the "church" simply mass produces people into a stereotypical mold?

Hear McManus in his own words:
"Somehow Christianity has become a nonmystical religion. It's about a reasonable faith. If we believe the right things, then we are orthodox. Frankly whether we ever actually connect to God or experience His undeniable presence has become incidental, if not irrelevant. We have become believers rather than experiencers. To know God in the Scriptures always went beyond information to intimacy. We may find ourselves uncomfortable with this reality, but the faith of the Scriptures is a mystical faith. It leads us beyond the material world into an invisible reality. We become connected to the God of eternity. Who you are at the core is spirit. God is spirit. To walk with God is to journey in the spiritual realm."

A barbarian is defined as a member of a community or tribe not belonging to one of the great civilizations. I find it interesting that the definition that I came across defines this in the sense of "in ancient times." In other words, we really don't have barbarians today. At least that was the way I took it. However, what can be more barbaric than believing that you belong to a greater community? What can be more barbaric than not moving with the culture? Not having a problem going against the status quo? Remaining steadfast to the idea that you were created for a greater kingdom?

As I said a few blog posts before, I'm reading this with my son because I never want him to settle. I want him to understand that this faith has always been led by those who were willing to be all in, and go all out for the cause of Christ. I want him to be confident in who the Father has created him to be. I want to stir up his inner warrior. To help him understand that this life isn't about fitting in but about being genuine. I also want him to understand that faith isn't always civilized. It doesn't always fit into our neat little boxes. That there may be risk involved.

Personally, I have taken many risks. I have believed in what the Lord has taught me, and the experiences He has brought me into. So much so that I have attempted to pass these things along to others. At times this has cost me in the area of relationships. Some believed that I had gone to far. Others struggled to align their own personal beliefs with mine. Which, by the way, I've never demanded that they do. But this seems to be the way it is in the area of faith for some people. That we must all follow the prescribed way of life dictated by our creeds. Rather than see the genuine nature in which people live and honor what the Lord is doing in that person. What are we supposed to do? Look back at the country from which we came or run full steam ahead even if we can only see 30 feet in front of us? I think you know the answer.

Each of us will have to make a decision. Each of us will have to answer the call. Will we settle for a domesticated faith or be willing to go into the adventure of the unknown with Him? I say He is worth it. I say it is time to "unleash the untamed faith within."

Leaning Towers and Unshakable Kingdoms

Over the past few weeks I have been digging deeper into a more Jewish understanding of our faith. What I mean is that since Christianity was born out of Judaism, I believe it is important to think and understand the faith in these terms. While I can cite many examples, today I would like to think about at least one area where Western Christianity has strayed from our Jewish roots: What we think and believe about humanity.

The Tower of Pisa is well known. Not for its design, but for its flaws. It leans. Badly. In fact, most people call it "The Leaning Tower of Pisa." A term that I'm sure that the architect did not see coming. The tower was flawed from the beginning. The foundation was only three meters deep (less than 10 feet) and the ground was unstable in nature. Even though the tower was off center, the construction continued until it was completed. A sight to see, no doubt, but I often wonder if people would still visit if the tower was straight?

We all know that a foundation is crucial to the building process. Although much of this tower is impeccable, the foundation was all wrong. And even though they tried to correct it, the tower still leans. Hebrews says that we have inherited an unshakable kingdom: "Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." So why do we lean one way or the other? Why is it that there is so much disagreement among the believers? The problem is not with the Kingdom of God (can I get an Amen?). The problem is with what we have built our beliefs upon. If the foundation is flawed...well...you know the rest.

Most of us have grown up with the teaching of "Original Sin." The belief that man is born sinful because of Adam's fall being passed down to us. A belief that has its origin with Augustine. A man who was considered a Great Teacher within the Catholic Church. Unfortunately, although he wrote many wonderful things, the doctrine of original sin does not have its roots in Christianity but Gnosticism (something that is easily determined when you read about Augustine's history). I say all of that because I don't want you to think that you have to throw out everything that Augustine taught or believed. That seems to be the dogma of our day. Instead, I would much rather you understand the Jewish roots. What did the Jews believe about humanity? How does it differ from that of Western Christianity? Why does it matter?

Jews believe that humanity is made in the image and likeness of God. So far so good right?
They believe that in this image and likeness is the ability for logic and reason.
They believe that since everything God creates is good, man is good. And that man is created with the ability to choose good or evil. And that man is held accountable for those choices.
The Jews never believed that Adam's sin was passed from generation to generation. They believed that humanity always belonged to the Father. That man was created upright. This type of thinking is found all throughout the Old Testament.

This is a striking contrast to what many of us were brought up believing. That we are sinners by nature rather than choice. The we are born separated by God and under His wrath. A view of humanity that doesn't take into account Jewish thinking, and totally neglects the finished work of Christ. Why do we have such a problem believing that humans are born innocent? I mean Jesus told us to become like children. If children are sinful in nature then what's the point? They would be no different than an adult.

Why does any of this matter? It matters because it is a poor foundation. It causes us to speak out of both sides of our mouth. It leads us to place much more emphasis on the Fall of Adam over the Death, Burial, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ. It keeps us blind to a greater reality. And brings much confusion to our children. How many times have we told a child how much God loves them, that they were created in His image and likeness, and that they should love Him in return; only to tell them something drastically different once they reach a certain age. After that age (whatever age that is) we begin to tell them that they are totally depraved rather than innocent. That they were born in sin rather than made in His image and likeness. That they are separated from God through no fault of their own and that God holds them accountable for that? My friends, this type of thinking is not found in Jewish thought and it does not have it's roots in the Scriptures either.

This discovery in my life has caused me to go back over some of those proof texts that I used to keep people bound in the original sin type thinking. What I found was liberating and life changing. Nowhere is sin found to be inherent. Sin is a product of unbelief. One of the passages we have used to keep people bound to the iniquity of Adam's Fall can also be used to keep us bound to the righteousness of Jesus' finished work. A belief that most people reject outright. However, if you are going to use a particular passage as a proof text then you better be sure of what the text is proving.

Are we presenting an unshakable kingdom? Or are we conveying a message that is build upon an inadequate foundation?
It is my belief that if we teach our children properly, raise them with the awareness of the image and likeness they bear, and point them to the Risen Savior that they will follow Him. That their faith will be a natural progression of life. A stability that is greatly needed in the church today. That they will learn to fully appreciate the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. And that they will begin to see the need to reach out to their lost brothers and sisters. Not in a way that is condemning, but in a way that is truly redemptive.

I realize that what I have said here today will be difficult for many people to grasp. We have become so entrenched in the teaching of original sin. But I honestly believe that if we can recapture the Jewish roots, and if we will look much deeper into church history, that we will rediscover the beauty of humanity. Who we were created to become and what we were created to enjoy. That we will embrace our relationship with our Creator and enjoy His Divine grace for life. And that we will learn to build upon this incredible foundation. Yes, we are receiving an unshakable kingdom. The borders of which need to spread all over this world.