I have begin writing for HubPages and am including a link to one of my recent articles. Take a moment, read the article, share a comment, click on a link and share with your friends--Disciplemaking:Living life together gathered and sent for the renown of the King
Eric
http://ericholtrop.hubpages.com/t/31e8f9
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Friday, July 13, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Thursday, May 3, 2012
A Prayer for NOLA
I have had the privilege of leading about 1300 people out on prayer walks in the Magazine St neighborhoods as we have been living here in NOLA as Missionary Church Planters. If you wanted a comprehensive, broad overview of the prayers and issues that I encourage folks to think about and pray over I have written an article that begins to scratch at that itch.
Would you take the time to do two things with me.
One, go to the article (link below) and pray through it with us here in NOLA.
and,
Two, pass this on and ask others to join us in prayer for NOLA.
Only God will be able to bring His Kingdom, and His gospel to bear here in our city.
Join me in the hard work of prayer--Pray for NOLA.
Thanks
Eric
http://www.examiner.com/article/a-prayer-for-nola-on-this-national-day-of-prayer
Would you take the time to do two things with me.
One, go to the article (link below) and pray through it with us here in NOLA.
and,
Two, pass this on and ask others to join us in prayer for NOLA.
Only God will be able to bring His Kingdom, and His gospel to bear here in our city.
Join me in the hard work of prayer--Pray for NOLA.
Thanks
Eric
http://www.examiner.com/article/a-prayer-for-nola-on-this-national-day-of-prayer
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Mildew, Mold, Levitcus and... us? (part 1)
I've been working through Leviticus, which I very much like, even though it's a difficult book to process.
I know that holiness matters deeply to God, and yet when I begin to wander through passages about the lepers, and homes with leprosy; it's hard not to cry.
I love the passage in Luke where the Leper comes to Jesus and asks Jesus if He is willing to heal him. The depth of pain that must have been in that man's life, to wonder if Jesus thought it was even important enough to restore this man to community.
Not sure what I'm talking about?
Leviticus tells us that if a person has leprosy that they are not to live in the community any more. Can you imagine the loneliness?
They are called unclean. That is their label from now on. And, they would have to go around covering their mouth and yelling "unclean....unclean..." so that no one would touch them, and be made unclean in that process. If they did touch someone, that person would have to go through a costly, and time consuming process to be made clean again...
Can you imagine? Unfortunately, some can. Some have been labeled by their sin, or station, or skin color. They too go around as an untouchable, and scream, "unclean." How many times have folks walked into church buildings to be made very aware that they were considered, "unclean" by the very people who were supposed to love them.
How many times have we driven in a section of town and talked about folks who were "homeless," "addicts," "those people," " (fill in your own blank_____________?"
How many times have we identified someone, or even ourselves by our sin? Even though, because of the cross, we are no longer identified by the shame of our sin, but rather, the name of our Savior--Jesus Christ?
In the midst of this pain, this man--in later stages of leprosy; meaning he actually looked like the monster that he felt like inside--came and knelt before Jesus and wondered if He was important enough to have Jesus heal him.
I love what Luke says here. Jesus reached out His hand, and touched him. Before Jesus healed him physically, He touched him and brought a healing that I cannot begin to imagine. Leviticus says that a spring, or a cistern of water that has a dead animal fall into it will not become unclean. If it were a put of water, it would be unclean, but not a source of water. I have often wondered how Jesus, being clean, could touch that which was so unclean, and not be stained. This passage in Leviticus made that clear for me. Jesus is living water, those who come to Him will have a spring well up within them, to Eternal Life. Praise God!
He touched this man, and then He healed him.
Leviticus tells of a beautiful process where the man would then have gone to the priests to go through to be made clean, and to be welcomed back into the community--it makes me cry to think about what this would be like for this man...and then I remember the grace that God has given me through Jesus, and I begin to understand more deeply the love of God. Praise God
There is one thing that bothers me in this though...
Right next to this passage, which God gives a bunch of space in the Bible too mind you; there is a similar passage about a building that is leprous with mold and mildew.
What is this about? In light of what God has all ready done, I think that it is significant.
Come back for more...soon
I know that holiness matters deeply to God, and yet when I begin to wander through passages about the lepers, and homes with leprosy; it's hard not to cry.
I love the passage in Luke where the Leper comes to Jesus and asks Jesus if He is willing to heal him. The depth of pain that must have been in that man's life, to wonder if Jesus thought it was even important enough to restore this man to community.
Not sure what I'm talking about?
Leviticus tells us that if a person has leprosy that they are not to live in the community any more. Can you imagine the loneliness?
They are called unclean. That is their label from now on. And, they would have to go around covering their mouth and yelling "unclean....unclean..." so that no one would touch them, and be made unclean in that process. If they did touch someone, that person would have to go through a costly, and time consuming process to be made clean again...
Can you imagine? Unfortunately, some can. Some have been labeled by their sin, or station, or skin color. They too go around as an untouchable, and scream, "unclean." How many times have folks walked into church buildings to be made very aware that they were considered, "unclean" by the very people who were supposed to love them.
How many times have we driven in a section of town and talked about folks who were "homeless," "addicts," "those people," " (fill in your own blank_____________?"
How many times have we identified someone, or even ourselves by our sin? Even though, because of the cross, we are no longer identified by the shame of our sin, but rather, the name of our Savior--Jesus Christ?
In the midst of this pain, this man--in later stages of leprosy; meaning he actually looked like the monster that he felt like inside--came and knelt before Jesus and wondered if He was important enough to have Jesus heal him.
I love what Luke says here. Jesus reached out His hand, and touched him. Before Jesus healed him physically, He touched him and brought a healing that I cannot begin to imagine. Leviticus says that a spring, or a cistern of water that has a dead animal fall into it will not become unclean. If it were a put of water, it would be unclean, but not a source of water. I have often wondered how Jesus, being clean, could touch that which was so unclean, and not be stained. This passage in Leviticus made that clear for me. Jesus is living water, those who come to Him will have a spring well up within them, to Eternal Life. Praise God!
He touched this man, and then He healed him.
Leviticus tells of a beautiful process where the man would then have gone to the priests to go through to be made clean, and to be welcomed back into the community--it makes me cry to think about what this would be like for this man...and then I remember the grace that God has given me through Jesus, and I begin to understand more deeply the love of God. Praise God
There is one thing that bothers me in this though...
Right next to this passage, which God gives a bunch of space in the Bible too mind you; there is a similar passage about a building that is leprous with mold and mildew.
What is this about? In light of what God has all ready done, I think that it is significant.
Come back for more...soon
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The stunning peace of God
6 weeks ago my son began to complain that his ankle hurt.
Now, he is a typical 3 year old. Rambunctious. How far can I jump? How high can I jump? How high is the piece of furniture that I can jump off of?
His legs have the bruises and scrapes, scratches and cuts that accompany the fun that children have, and somehow we have forgotten as we get older, except when things seem safe, and secure--like a zip line with a harness, helmet, 2 carabiners and climbing rope that could successfully catch a cow when dropped from a 12 story building by a guy laying down on the ground, anchored into a 150 year old oak tree, with his pinky finger. This seems to be our excuse for adventure and exploration as we age. My son believes the cow should be free to experience adventure freely; otherwise known as the process of obtaining ground beef the hard way.
Because of this adventurous mentality, and lack of experience with painful impacts and that crossing into the mind of the 3 year old yet; we chalked up the ache to a udderly souring experience of gravity beats foot.
Three weeks later he still was complaining, and we began to wonder if there was more to this complaint than milking it for sympathy. The next week his knee on that same leg was added to his complaint, and then at the end of the week his hip.
When he woke up the next morning with a club foot, and a distinct limp, and no desire to run and explore the effects of gravity and mooovement we were greatly concerned.
I know that I have heard parents talk about exchanging place with their child, and wanting to do whatever it took to make sure their child was healthy and happy. I have heard of parents sleeping on the floor next to their sick and ailing child to be there, to make sure that they were still breathing. At that moment--watching my little boy limp with a club foot, wincing with pain, and yet trying to climb up on the couch to give me a good-morning hug I began to feel a concern grip me that must have been familiar to parents who have dealt with a sick or injured child.
After getting off the phone with the doctor, who by the way must have been hit by that cow because it took so long for us to get an actual human to call us back and talk with us, (Good thing they were at a hospital to treat whatever beef related injuries they had huh...) I heard my wife say that it would be three days before they would see my son.
There are a few things that frustrate me--not caring for someone in need is one of them. Maybe it was my parent/fleshly-heart, maybe a passion for justice and mercy that God has been growing in me since living among a people who it takes the ambulance 30 minutes to come to the rescue of a shooting victim and 20 minutes to send a patrol car when 911 is called, but I was bent.
Helplessness is a humbling feeling. Thank God we are not helpless, and that He is sovereign. That simply means that He is God. Yeah, it's repetitive. I'm sure that's why theologians used such a big and majestic term to help us get the point. God is God--and He does God things. Therefore, do not fear.
So, we prayed.
God, heal our little boy. Actually, your little boy that you have given us to disciple and train up to know and love you by following you obediently with his life by watching our life reflect you. Your will be done, and your kingdom come Father, in Jesus name, amen.
There is something about sitting in God's lap, just being with Him that un-nervingly brings order out of the chaos of life.
Humbled; I remember that this little one is God's and we are responsible to disciple him to follow Jesus, and we are to do that by allowing him to see us obediently following Jesus, even in the midst of helpless fear and anxiety.
Encouraged; God loves this little boy, and the love that we have for him is a gift from God above. Looking into the face of God we remember, God is sovereign. Peace. Somehow remembering God is God and that He does God things brings peace.
Thank you Jesus.
At the doctors appointment we hear things...possible fracture, slipped growth plate, dislocated hip. Things that would make me wish for the job of catching the falling cow with my bare hands. Things that aren't easily solved. Things that call for more tests and more time to wait. There is a change in gait, and a favoring of that leg. Is one leg shorter than the other? (Have you ever tried to measure the length of the legs of an unusually ticklish 3 year old boy? Funny the first 3 tries, then the resident's humor sours...)
We end up getting x-rays.
Wait another week we are told.
In the dark of night you remember things that were said by folks, that for some reason you weren't able to process at the moment that they were said. (Maybe a wriggly little boy giggling distracted me then...) But, now they are clearly heard. "Has he been sick?" How many people have asked me that...2, no 3 now. "Did they do bloodwork?" Man, 3 or 4 asked me that... What do they know that I don't.
Growing up in a hospital family I have learned that there is this attitude of, "we know something you don't know, and it is better for you not to know--I'm the doctor and I said so that's why" that I rebel against like an angry bull and a red cape, especially in the middle of the night, and we are talking about my little boy here.
God has said, "never will I leave you, never will I forsake you; I will be with you always, even to the end of the age." God...what's going on?
God's peace is an amazing gift. Sometimes that comes with a settled-ness from sitting in His presence, and other times God sends folks to come and sit with us and be His presence. This is the gift God gave us for the next week.
The morning came of the pediatric orthopedic specialist appointment. Names like that either bring smiles like, 'blackened new york strip steak done medium rare'; or, they bring about ominous feelings of dread. Maybe that's another reason to have words like "Sovereign" to explain that God is still God.
"There is a condition...toddler fracture...more x-rays..."
Now, the limp was not there by the morning of the appointment. This was encouraging, very encouraging to say the least. The complaint of pain hadn't been heard for 2 days--which was good. Now we find a specialist telling us that this is the classic pattern of a little boy who has broken his leg, and immediate tests need to be done to determine if this is the case. We will know by seeing if today's x-rays show new bone growth from last weeks pictures.
Again I lay my son down on a table, and have to leave him in the care of a medical person, and leave the room. Without prayer, without knowing that God is a good daddy; I don't know how I would deal with that. Sitting behind a wall, able to see my son's leg, hearing the buzz of the machine, I know that God is good, I know that His will is done, and I know His peace.
I too had to lay my Son down. I too know what it is to have to deal with great dis-ease, brokenness, and ailment. I too know the pain and anxiety of children in distress. Know how much I love.
Grace. Grace from a Daddy-God, procured by an obedient Son, facilitated by a ministering Holy Spirit. Grace that heals, that restores, that brings....peace to a broken relationship with my Daddy-God. My brokenness came from my disobedience, my foolishness, my rebellion. I had wounded my Daddy, and spit in His face. His Son took my place. Paid my debt. Bore my shame. Took my pain. My Daddy God's Son....died.
For me...so I could live and be adopted by Daddy. So I could become apart of His family, join Him on His mission of peace, and one day, be home with Him forever.
Grace. Nothing I can do to get it. I don't deserve it. Yet, He freely gives it, by faith received, a new whole life in Him to live. Peace.
Thank you Daddy, thank you for your peace.
I take my son in my arms and wait.
The doctor returns...
"There is nothing wrong with the leg that we can see at all, it looks just like it should."
Now, he is a typical 3 year old. Rambunctious. How far can I jump? How high can I jump? How high is the piece of furniture that I can jump off of?
His legs have the bruises and scrapes, scratches and cuts that accompany the fun that children have, and somehow we have forgotten as we get older, except when things seem safe, and secure--like a zip line with a harness, helmet, 2 carabiners and climbing rope that could successfully catch a cow when dropped from a 12 story building by a guy laying down on the ground, anchored into a 150 year old oak tree, with his pinky finger. This seems to be our excuse for adventure and exploration as we age. My son believes the cow should be free to experience adventure freely; otherwise known as the process of obtaining ground beef the hard way.
Because of this adventurous mentality, and lack of experience with painful impacts and that crossing into the mind of the 3 year old yet; we chalked up the ache to a udderly souring experience of gravity beats foot.
Three weeks later he still was complaining, and we began to wonder if there was more to this complaint than milking it for sympathy. The next week his knee on that same leg was added to his complaint, and then at the end of the week his hip.
When he woke up the next morning with a club foot, and a distinct limp, and no desire to run and explore the effects of gravity and mooovement we were greatly concerned.
I know that I have heard parents talk about exchanging place with their child, and wanting to do whatever it took to make sure their child was healthy and happy. I have heard of parents sleeping on the floor next to their sick and ailing child to be there, to make sure that they were still breathing. At that moment--watching my little boy limp with a club foot, wincing with pain, and yet trying to climb up on the couch to give me a good-morning hug I began to feel a concern grip me that must have been familiar to parents who have dealt with a sick or injured child.
After getting off the phone with the doctor, who by the way must have been hit by that cow because it took so long for us to get an actual human to call us back and talk with us, (Good thing they were at a hospital to treat whatever beef related injuries they had huh...) I heard my wife say that it would be three days before they would see my son.
There are a few things that frustrate me--not caring for someone in need is one of them. Maybe it was my parent/fleshly-heart, maybe a passion for justice and mercy that God has been growing in me since living among a people who it takes the ambulance 30 minutes to come to the rescue of a shooting victim and 20 minutes to send a patrol car when 911 is called, but I was bent.
Helplessness is a humbling feeling. Thank God we are not helpless, and that He is sovereign. That simply means that He is God. Yeah, it's repetitive. I'm sure that's why theologians used such a big and majestic term to help us get the point. God is God--and He does God things. Therefore, do not fear.
So, we prayed.
God, heal our little boy. Actually, your little boy that you have given us to disciple and train up to know and love you by following you obediently with his life by watching our life reflect you. Your will be done, and your kingdom come Father, in Jesus name, amen.
There is something about sitting in God's lap, just being with Him that un-nervingly brings order out of the chaos of life.
Humbled; I remember that this little one is God's and we are responsible to disciple him to follow Jesus, and we are to do that by allowing him to see us obediently following Jesus, even in the midst of helpless fear and anxiety.
Encouraged; God loves this little boy, and the love that we have for him is a gift from God above. Looking into the face of God we remember, God is sovereign. Peace. Somehow remembering God is God and that He does God things brings peace.
Thank you Jesus.
At the doctors appointment we hear things...possible fracture, slipped growth plate, dislocated hip. Things that would make me wish for the job of catching the falling cow with my bare hands. Things that aren't easily solved. Things that call for more tests and more time to wait. There is a change in gait, and a favoring of that leg. Is one leg shorter than the other? (Have you ever tried to measure the length of the legs of an unusually ticklish 3 year old boy? Funny the first 3 tries, then the resident's humor sours...)
We end up getting x-rays.
Wait another week we are told.
In the dark of night you remember things that were said by folks, that for some reason you weren't able to process at the moment that they were said. (Maybe a wriggly little boy giggling distracted me then...) But, now they are clearly heard. "Has he been sick?" How many people have asked me that...2, no 3 now. "Did they do bloodwork?" Man, 3 or 4 asked me that... What do they know that I don't.
Growing up in a hospital family I have learned that there is this attitude of, "we know something you don't know, and it is better for you not to know--I'm the doctor and I said so that's why" that I rebel against like an angry bull and a red cape, especially in the middle of the night, and we are talking about my little boy here.
God has said, "never will I leave you, never will I forsake you; I will be with you always, even to the end of the age." God...what's going on?
God's peace is an amazing gift. Sometimes that comes with a settled-ness from sitting in His presence, and other times God sends folks to come and sit with us and be His presence. This is the gift God gave us for the next week.
The morning came of the pediatric orthopedic specialist appointment. Names like that either bring smiles like, 'blackened new york strip steak done medium rare'; or, they bring about ominous feelings of dread. Maybe that's another reason to have words like "Sovereign" to explain that God is still God.
"There is a condition...toddler fracture...more x-rays..."
Now, the limp was not there by the morning of the appointment. This was encouraging, very encouraging to say the least. The complaint of pain hadn't been heard for 2 days--which was good. Now we find a specialist telling us that this is the classic pattern of a little boy who has broken his leg, and immediate tests need to be done to determine if this is the case. We will know by seeing if today's x-rays show new bone growth from last weeks pictures.
Again I lay my son down on a table, and have to leave him in the care of a medical person, and leave the room. Without prayer, without knowing that God is a good daddy; I don't know how I would deal with that. Sitting behind a wall, able to see my son's leg, hearing the buzz of the machine, I know that God is good, I know that His will is done, and I know His peace.
I too had to lay my Son down. I too know what it is to have to deal with great dis-ease, brokenness, and ailment. I too know the pain and anxiety of children in distress. Know how much I love.
Grace. Grace from a Daddy-God, procured by an obedient Son, facilitated by a ministering Holy Spirit. Grace that heals, that restores, that brings....peace to a broken relationship with my Daddy-God. My brokenness came from my disobedience, my foolishness, my rebellion. I had wounded my Daddy, and spit in His face. His Son took my place. Paid my debt. Bore my shame. Took my pain. My Daddy God's Son....died.
For me...so I could live and be adopted by Daddy. So I could become apart of His family, join Him on His mission of peace, and one day, be home with Him forever.
Grace. Nothing I can do to get it. I don't deserve it. Yet, He freely gives it, by faith received, a new whole life in Him to live. Peace.
Thank you Daddy, thank you for your peace.
I take my son in my arms and wait.
The doctor returns...
"There is nothing wrong with the leg that we can see at all, it looks just like it should."
Friday, August 12, 2011
Great Commission Lifestyle or Entertainment towards death
I enjoy reading stories about how God has worked in peoples lives through great difficulty and trial. I love hearing about a faith that clings to God, as God holds them close through the storm. I love hearing about the faithfulness of brothers and sisters who stand firm in the face of difficulty, slander, abuse, trial, loss, and persecution and in the end they see God and all His glory shine in the darkness to confirm that they are truly on the Rock of our salvation. I love to see the evidence of a life changed, and to hear of the sticktuitiveness of the friends who weathered the questions, the animosity, and vitriol that was projected onto them because they bore the name of Christ, only to see over time, their friend to grow from using them as a punching bag, to becoming a sibling in the family of God.
These stories make me cry, these stories make me excited, these stories make me stand and cheer--they make my heart leap, my gut groan, my mind spin, and my spirit soar.
I love reading about, and hearing about, and seeing the fruit of these life stories. Don't you?
But...
Here's the question...
Are they our life stories too, or are we trying to vicariously live through someone else?
These stories cost the persons much, they cost us nothing to read them.
These stories reveal the deep investment of a life walking with someone in their mess, letting Jesus be incarnate in our lives, to hear them is exhilarating but we spend nothing--what return on this investment will we get?
These stories bring emotional surges, and momentary worshipful highs--but, do they really draw me closer to God? Wasn't God in the storm with the folks that we read about... What if God calls me into the storm... What if He asks me to join Him there...
Why are these stories so exciting?
Simple. We see God doing God things, in and through people's lives for His glory and His fame bringing His Kingdom, and His Gospel. It is what we were created for, what Jesus died for, it is the mission that God is on and the mission that we have been invited to be a part of. We deeply long for this in our lives--yet it terrifies us.
Answer me honestly, would you want it any other way?
Do we really want a tame god to keep on a leash, to treat as a pet, to coddle and entertain us?
Do you really want to just read about God working with, in, and through others lives--while you sit there on the couch, the chair, the pew? REALLY? So, do you want to just sit and watch Jesus reward folks for their faithfulness too--Do you really just want to watch Jesus walk with others and not you too?
Reality check: Matthew 25 Jesus says that not all who call Him 'Lord...Lord' are really His, and on judgement day there will be some unhappy--not positive or encouraging truth given. James 2 says that we are to show our faith by how we live.
It is what we were twice-born for!
Church, the body of Christ, Jesus Kids--what is distracting you? What has lied to you, and told you that to love God is not to obey, not to be with Him, not to be next to Him, not to walk with Him, not to love Him and love who and what He loves with all of who we are, and with all that He has given us in Christ and creation?
Enough is enough.
Jesus loved us so much that He gave up His stuff, His comfort, His security, and came to earth to live among us, serve us, love us, die in our place--yeah, that was comfortable....NOT
Folks, this is our heritage--this is our namesake, this is the family that we have been adopted into--this is the home that we are now apart of.
How many television programs, movies, songs, app's, toys, books, magazines, businesses, cars, dresses, hook-ups, meals, drinks, hits, distractions do we really want to use to entertain us into numbness, define what our walk with God should look like instead of His word, and ultimately cloud out what really matters? How many idols to we need to continue to feed? How long are we going to allow our cultural mindset of safety, stuff, and security define God's call on our lives rather than God's word itself.
He says, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" Deut. 11:1, Deut 6, 7; Joshua 22, 23; Matt 6, 22; Mark 12, Luke 10, John 5, 1 Jn 2, 3, 4
We are all called to live out the Great Commission in our lives, because we are His kids now. Therefore, we should act like Jesus acts, and love how He loves, live how He lives.
Good thing that He gave us the Holy Spirit to make this possible....now all we need to do is obey---
But...I don't want to do this alone
Good news....God not only promises to never leave us, He adopted us into the community of believers, called the church--and we get to do this together.
I'd love to walk this together with you.
Let's repent of our complacency, lets beg for His forgiveness, and beg for the gift of obedient repentance.
God, give me your eyes to see, your ears to hear, and your heart to respond obediently with the energy, the resources, and the time that you have given me to tangibly, and practically share your love and truth with those around me. Show me what this looks like. Help me to read and understand your word as you want me to. Strip from us the cloud that our cultural idols have blinded us with. Do whatever it takes to make us into the people that you have called us into your glorious light to be. Give us places to welcome strangers, care for the sick, care for the needs of the poor, challenge the lies, speak your truth in love with gentleness and respect, and most importantly--make much of yourself in and through our lives. In Jesus name, the one who walked among us, who's Holy Spirit dwells in us, who intercedes for us even now...Amen
One last hard thought....
So, are the stories coming out of our lives inspiring because Jesus is making much of Himself through our obedience to Him, or are they just a distraction away from the glory of our King?
These stories make me cry, these stories make me excited, these stories make me stand and cheer--they make my heart leap, my gut groan, my mind spin, and my spirit soar.
I love reading about, and hearing about, and seeing the fruit of these life stories. Don't you?
But...
Here's the question...
Are they our life stories too, or are we trying to vicariously live through someone else?
These stories cost the persons much, they cost us nothing to read them.
These stories reveal the deep investment of a life walking with someone in their mess, letting Jesus be incarnate in our lives, to hear them is exhilarating but we spend nothing--what return on this investment will we get?
These stories bring emotional surges, and momentary worshipful highs--but, do they really draw me closer to God? Wasn't God in the storm with the folks that we read about... What if God calls me into the storm... What if He asks me to join Him there...
Why are these stories so exciting?
Simple. We see God doing God things, in and through people's lives for His glory and His fame bringing His Kingdom, and His Gospel. It is what we were created for, what Jesus died for, it is the mission that God is on and the mission that we have been invited to be a part of. We deeply long for this in our lives--yet it terrifies us.
Answer me honestly, would you want it any other way?
Do we really want a tame god to keep on a leash, to treat as a pet, to coddle and entertain us?
Do you really want to just read about God working with, in, and through others lives--while you sit there on the couch, the chair, the pew? REALLY? So, do you want to just sit and watch Jesus reward folks for their faithfulness too--Do you really just want to watch Jesus walk with others and not you too?
Reality check: Matthew 25 Jesus says that not all who call Him 'Lord...Lord' are really His, and on judgement day there will be some unhappy--not positive or encouraging truth given. James 2 says that we are to show our faith by how we live.
It is what we were twice-born for!
Church, the body of Christ, Jesus Kids--what is distracting you? What has lied to you, and told you that to love God is not to obey, not to be with Him, not to be next to Him, not to walk with Him, not to love Him and love who and what He loves with all of who we are, and with all that He has given us in Christ and creation?
Enough is enough.
Jesus loved us so much that He gave up His stuff, His comfort, His security, and came to earth to live among us, serve us, love us, die in our place--yeah, that was comfortable....NOT
Folks, this is our heritage--this is our namesake, this is the family that we have been adopted into--this is the home that we are now apart of.
How many television programs, movies, songs, app's, toys, books, magazines, businesses, cars, dresses, hook-ups, meals, drinks, hits, distractions do we really want to use to entertain us into numbness, define what our walk with God should look like instead of His word, and ultimately cloud out what really matters? How many idols to we need to continue to feed? How long are we going to allow our cultural mindset of safety, stuff, and security define God's call on our lives rather than God's word itself.
He says, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" Deut. 11:1, Deut 6, 7; Joshua 22, 23; Matt 6, 22; Mark 12, Luke 10, John 5, 1 Jn 2, 3, 4
We are all called to live out the Great Commission in our lives, because we are His kids now. Therefore, we should act like Jesus acts, and love how He loves, live how He lives.
Good thing that He gave us the Holy Spirit to make this possible....now all we need to do is obey---
But...I don't want to do this alone
Good news....God not only promises to never leave us, He adopted us into the community of believers, called the church--and we get to do this together.
I'd love to walk this together with you.
Let's repent of our complacency, lets beg for His forgiveness, and beg for the gift of obedient repentance.
God, give me your eyes to see, your ears to hear, and your heart to respond obediently with the energy, the resources, and the time that you have given me to tangibly, and practically share your love and truth with those around me. Show me what this looks like. Help me to read and understand your word as you want me to. Strip from us the cloud that our cultural idols have blinded us with. Do whatever it takes to make us into the people that you have called us into your glorious light to be. Give us places to welcome strangers, care for the sick, care for the needs of the poor, challenge the lies, speak your truth in love with gentleness and respect, and most importantly--make much of yourself in and through our lives. In Jesus name, the one who walked among us, who's Holy Spirit dwells in us, who intercedes for us even now...Amen
One last hard thought....
So, are the stories coming out of our lives inspiring because Jesus is making much of Himself through our obedience to Him, or are they just a distraction away from the glory of our King?
Monday, May 2, 2011
Hell, a loving docrine, really...
I am concerned as I learn more about the latest book that Rob Bell has published.
I know that Hell is a doctrine that is hard to hear, but I think that it really is one of the most loving doctrines in the Bible.
Now, don't tune me out, read what God has to say in the Bible, and then think it over.
Hell was the 3rd most frequent thing that Jesus talked about. Number one was the Kingdom of God, Number 2 was money. 3rd, Hell.
Why?
Jesus says that Hell is a place where the fire never goes out (Mk 9:43) it is a place to be afraid of being tossed into and it should refocus whom we are listening to (Mt 10:28) It is a place where God is sending death and hades, and Satan (Rev 20:10-14) and it is the place that those who's names are not in the book of life will end up (Rev. 20:14).
We were not created to go to Hell. Gen 1-2 tells us that we were made in God's image (Gen 1:26, 27) and that we were created to rule and have dominion over--a good hebrew translation of that would be to worship and obey, to enjoy God and live within His boundaries (Gen 2:15)
The Bible tells us of the angel Lucifer who rebelled in Heaven and desired to be god, and convinced a third of the angels to attempt a coup, and were soundly defeated (Ezekiel 28: 11-19; Is 14: 12-21; Rev. 12).
Lucifer, being soundly defeated came to earth to hurt God the only way he could, by hurting what God loves--us. In Genesis 3 we find the serpent tempting Eve and Adam with the very thing he could not have, being god of their own world. In this betrayal Satan comes to maim kill and destroy (John 10:10) and steal the life that God has for us.
God, being a God of justice, must deal with our sin. This is a good thing for the times that we have been wronged. We need God to make the sin done against us right again. The hope of the Bible is that one day God will undue all the wrong, and make it as if it never was wronged (Rev. 21: 1-4; Is 25:8; 1 Cor 15: 54, 55). The problem is...God is a holy God, and therefore sin cannot stand in His presence, and we are unable to deal with our sin, and therefore deserve punishment.
The unfortunate truth about that punishment, is that it must fit the crime, and when the foundation of our sin simply is, I want to be god of my own world, to determine what is right and wrong myself, because I don't need God; and in that I destroy His creation...and this is the standard that I will be compared with, because Gen 1-2 make it clear that we were made good, and in God's image--we are in trouble.
For God to be just, the punishment must fit the crime. Hell was created for the devil and his angels (Matt 25:41) because their coup deserves that punishment, and one day we will see them tossed into Hell (Rev 20).
Now, Satan knew this was coming, so if he could get humans to rebel, they would too deserve this punishment, so he lies to us, and pretends to offer us things that are "good" but really they are temptations to sin, nice huh.
Frankly, without help, we are dead in our sins and trespasses (Col 2:13. We have no way of making ourselves right before God (Is 6:46) and therefore deserve death, and hell (Rom 6:23).
So, the doctrine of Hell being loving--howso?
Jesus knew that we were lost without Him. We would in no way be able to pay for our sin, and make our relationship with God right again, so He came to do it for us.
That is what the cross was all about. Jesus lived a perfect life, without ever sinning. He then was killed on a cross, what we deserved for our sin. He also suffered separation from His Father, Hell, in utter torment, for us (Matt 27: 45-46) and then proclaimed, "it is finished" (John 19:30)--proclaiming that the payment to rescue us had been paid. In three days, Jesus rose from the dead showing us proof that death and sin and Satan had been conquered (Col 1: 9-15).
Jesus knew that He was going to do this for us, and therefore told us about Hell, because we need to know that we are in trouble. We are lied to by the enemy, who wants us to doubt God's existence, and love for us, and wants us to be separated from God too.
Jesus came to rescue us from this.
Consider this: If you were not feeling well, and you went to the doctor; what would you want to hear? Oh, you'll be fine...
or
You have cancer. You will need surgery, and it will be invasive. Then you will need radiation, and you will lose your hair, and puke for 6 weeks. You will also need to be on chemo for a year, and that will make you feel miserable; but, if we get on this today--you will have an 80% chance of living cancer free
I want the truth stated in the second answer, don't you!
Jesus loves us, and did not want us to go to Hell:
Romans 2:4 says, " Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?"
Ezekiel 18: 30-32 says, " 30 “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!"
Eph 1: 3-14 says, " 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory."
God loves us. Romans 8 asks simply, who shall separate usfrom the love of Christ? The answer: no one.
God loves us. He has made a rescue possible for us through Jesus Christ.
He also has satisfied justice by dealing with sin on the Cross, or one day in Hell--and God will in Heaven make all things new.
The fact that Jesus came to honestly tell us the truth, and to do what we needed to be rescued from Hell, and satisfy God's Holy Justice, is a most loving doctrine.
This rescue is a gift from God to us. We are made right with God through Jesus, and invited into His family, and then invited to participate in great rescue with Him together.
I will leave you with some passages in the Bible to help you walk this discussion through with God, but if you have any questions, or would like to talk with me more about this, feel free to contact me, I would love to talk with you.
Here are some Bible passages to read through, and talk with God about
Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10: 8-10
My email is nolachurchplant@gmail.com
Eric
I know that Hell is a doctrine that is hard to hear, but I think that it really is one of the most loving doctrines in the Bible.
Now, don't tune me out, read what God has to say in the Bible, and then think it over.
Hell was the 3rd most frequent thing that Jesus talked about. Number one was the Kingdom of God, Number 2 was money. 3rd, Hell.
Why?
Jesus says that Hell is a place where the fire never goes out (Mk 9:43) it is a place to be afraid of being tossed into and it should refocus whom we are listening to (Mt 10:28) It is a place where God is sending death and hades, and Satan (Rev 20:10-14) and it is the place that those who's names are not in the book of life will end up (Rev. 20:14).
We were not created to go to Hell. Gen 1-2 tells us that we were made in God's image (Gen 1:26, 27) and that we were created to rule and have dominion over--a good hebrew translation of that would be to worship and obey, to enjoy God and live within His boundaries (Gen 2:15)
The Bible tells us of the angel Lucifer who rebelled in Heaven and desired to be god, and convinced a third of the angels to attempt a coup, and were soundly defeated (Ezekiel 28: 11-19; Is 14: 12-21; Rev. 12).
Lucifer, being soundly defeated came to earth to hurt God the only way he could, by hurting what God loves--us. In Genesis 3 we find the serpent tempting Eve and Adam with the very thing he could not have, being god of their own world. In this betrayal Satan comes to maim kill and destroy (John 10:10) and steal the life that God has for us.
God, being a God of justice, must deal with our sin. This is a good thing for the times that we have been wronged. We need God to make the sin done against us right again. The hope of the Bible is that one day God will undue all the wrong, and make it as if it never was wronged (Rev. 21: 1-4; Is 25:8; 1 Cor 15: 54, 55). The problem is...God is a holy God, and therefore sin cannot stand in His presence, and we are unable to deal with our sin, and therefore deserve punishment.
The unfortunate truth about that punishment, is that it must fit the crime, and when the foundation of our sin simply is, I want to be god of my own world, to determine what is right and wrong myself, because I don't need God; and in that I destroy His creation...and this is the standard that I will be compared with, because Gen 1-2 make it clear that we were made good, and in God's image--we are in trouble.
For God to be just, the punishment must fit the crime. Hell was created for the devil and his angels (Matt 25:41) because their coup deserves that punishment, and one day we will see them tossed into Hell (Rev 20).
Now, Satan knew this was coming, so if he could get humans to rebel, they would too deserve this punishment, so he lies to us, and pretends to offer us things that are "good" but really they are temptations to sin, nice huh.
Frankly, without help, we are dead in our sins and trespasses (Col 2:13. We have no way of making ourselves right before God (Is 6:46) and therefore deserve death, and hell (Rom 6:23).
So, the doctrine of Hell being loving--howso?
Jesus knew that we were lost without Him. We would in no way be able to pay for our sin, and make our relationship with God right again, so He came to do it for us.
That is what the cross was all about. Jesus lived a perfect life, without ever sinning. He then was killed on a cross, what we deserved for our sin. He also suffered separation from His Father, Hell, in utter torment, for us (Matt 27: 45-46) and then proclaimed, "it is finished" (John 19:30)--proclaiming that the payment to rescue us had been paid. In three days, Jesus rose from the dead showing us proof that death and sin and Satan had been conquered (Col 1: 9-15).
Jesus knew that He was going to do this for us, and therefore told us about Hell, because we need to know that we are in trouble. We are lied to by the enemy, who wants us to doubt God's existence, and love for us, and wants us to be separated from God too.
Jesus came to rescue us from this.
Consider this: If you were not feeling well, and you went to the doctor; what would you want to hear? Oh, you'll be fine...
or
You have cancer. You will need surgery, and it will be invasive. Then you will need radiation, and you will lose your hair, and puke for 6 weeks. You will also need to be on chemo for a year, and that will make you feel miserable; but, if we get on this today--you will have an 80% chance of living cancer free
I want the truth stated in the second answer, don't you!
Jesus loves us, and did not want us to go to Hell:
Romans 2:4 says, " Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?"
Ezekiel 18: 30-32 says, " 30 “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? 32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!"
Eph 1: 3-14 says, " 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory."
God loves us. Romans 8 asks simply, who shall separate usfrom the love of Christ? The answer: no one.
God loves us. He has made a rescue possible for us through Jesus Christ.
He also has satisfied justice by dealing with sin on the Cross, or one day in Hell--and God will in Heaven make all things new.
The fact that Jesus came to honestly tell us the truth, and to do what we needed to be rescued from Hell, and satisfy God's Holy Justice, is a most loving doctrine.
This rescue is a gift from God to us. We are made right with God through Jesus, and invited into His family, and then invited to participate in great rescue with Him together.
I will leave you with some passages in the Bible to help you walk this discussion through with God, but if you have any questions, or would like to talk with me more about this, feel free to contact me, I would love to talk with you.
Here are some Bible passages to read through, and talk with God about
Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10: 8-10
My email is nolachurchplant@gmail.com
Eric
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Where do you live?
There is a friend of ours that we have met since coming down to NOLA.
She lives on the street.
Not because she got up one morning and decided to chuck her suburban life, and go for some adventure; not because she is lazy, and just doesn't want to work and take care of herself and family,
not because she is rebelling and trying to prove a point,
she is on the street because of sin.
Someone sinned against her, and in this broken world, found herself trying to survive out on the street.
Let me break it down for y'all.
It was below freezing last night--36 during the day, 26 degree wind chill here, with some rain, sleet, and what-not. She tries to work, and that means she is up at 5 am, after trying to sleep on a porch, close to the road so she won't get mugged or worse, yet far enough off to avoid getting chased away by the cops or shipped somewhere else (its Mardis Gras--city needs to look good, homeless gotta leave...)
By the by, where does one go when one is homeless, aka don't got no home, and you are kicked out of a place that you were trying to sleep safely in? Just wondering
At the job site, the guys are picked first--she doesn't have all her teeth, thanks to sin, so even though she is a great cook and hard worker, she is passed up. Guys that she could work circles around get picked. it's 9--wondering if there's gonna be any food.
She is propositioned, offered drugs--but declines. It's hard to find a safe place as a woman on the streets--and the beds in the shelters fill up faster for women than men. She can't get money, and if she doesn't find at least 5 dollars, she'll be on the street again.
If she did do drugs, she could get in rehab...but she doesn't want that.
If she was willing to take a trick or two, she could have money, and be allowed in a shelter for prostitutes, she definitely doesn't want that.
By the time we catch up with her, it's anywhere between 3-7 pm. Normally she hasn't eaten, couldn't find work, or like last week got some work, but when the job was done, the person refused to pay her...who is she going to turn to to defend that, it's a side job?
She loves our kids, is kind to us, prays for us, and loves God and is wrestling not only with real life issues, but also the nightmare of living on the street.
Now, I want you to stop for a moment and take a deep breath, and ask God to help you to hear Him honestly.
Did you bristle at all during this story, and find a way, or an excuse to try and blame this woman?
If so, why? You don't know her. You don't even know her back story?
What keeps us from caring for folks in need? What keeps us from missing them? What keeps us from loving them.
She gets a safe place to stay, a warm bed, and food for $5. For a bit more, some dental work. For a bit of help, an ID and a chance to get some aid. For a phone call from a friend with a connection, a chance to get into a lottery to have a place funded by the state, with opportunities to work, get healthy, and get back on her feet--like she was just a season of life ago.
Wouldn't that be something that Jesus would have us do?
Do you have an extra $5? A day?
What if it was for someone that you loved, who was stuck?
Jesus told us to love our neighbors--and defined the neighbor as the one racial enemy that Israel hated and wanted nothing to do with....don't forget, while we were yet God's enemies, He rescued us by giving all....His Son. Not $5 dollars, His Son.
What if it was you who needed help? What if you were suddenly homeless, and all of the sudden no one knew you by your name anymore, but called you the homeless person..who smells, and is dirty, and looks crazy. (why don't you go for 3 days sleeping outside on a street with no shower and see how pretty you are)
Take a moment, please. Read the story of our friend again, and put your name, or the name of your loved one there....your neighbor, you enemy...Jesus' name there.
Does that change anything?
She lives on the street.
Not because she got up one morning and decided to chuck her suburban life, and go for some adventure; not because she is lazy, and just doesn't want to work and take care of herself and family,
not because she is rebelling and trying to prove a point,
she is on the street because of sin.
Someone sinned against her, and in this broken world, found herself trying to survive out on the street.
Let me break it down for y'all.
It was below freezing last night--36 during the day, 26 degree wind chill here, with some rain, sleet, and what-not. She tries to work, and that means she is up at 5 am, after trying to sleep on a porch, close to the road so she won't get mugged or worse, yet far enough off to avoid getting chased away by the cops or shipped somewhere else (its Mardis Gras--city needs to look good, homeless gotta leave...)
By the by, where does one go when one is homeless, aka don't got no home, and you are kicked out of a place that you were trying to sleep safely in? Just wondering
At the job site, the guys are picked first--she doesn't have all her teeth, thanks to sin, so even though she is a great cook and hard worker, she is passed up. Guys that she could work circles around get picked. it's 9--wondering if there's gonna be any food.
She is propositioned, offered drugs--but declines. It's hard to find a safe place as a woman on the streets--and the beds in the shelters fill up faster for women than men. She can't get money, and if she doesn't find at least 5 dollars, she'll be on the street again.
If she did do drugs, she could get in rehab...but she doesn't want that.
If she was willing to take a trick or two, she could have money, and be allowed in a shelter for prostitutes, she definitely doesn't want that.
By the time we catch up with her, it's anywhere between 3-7 pm. Normally she hasn't eaten, couldn't find work, or like last week got some work, but when the job was done, the person refused to pay her...who is she going to turn to to defend that, it's a side job?
She loves our kids, is kind to us, prays for us, and loves God and is wrestling not only with real life issues, but also the nightmare of living on the street.
Now, I want you to stop for a moment and take a deep breath, and ask God to help you to hear Him honestly.
Did you bristle at all during this story, and find a way, or an excuse to try and blame this woman?
If so, why? You don't know her. You don't even know her back story?
What keeps us from caring for folks in need? What keeps us from missing them? What keeps us from loving them.
She gets a safe place to stay, a warm bed, and food for $5. For a bit more, some dental work. For a bit of help, an ID and a chance to get some aid. For a phone call from a friend with a connection, a chance to get into a lottery to have a place funded by the state, with opportunities to work, get healthy, and get back on her feet--like she was just a season of life ago.
Wouldn't that be something that Jesus would have us do?
Do you have an extra $5? A day?
What if it was for someone that you loved, who was stuck?
Jesus told us to love our neighbors--and defined the neighbor as the one racial enemy that Israel hated and wanted nothing to do with....don't forget, while we were yet God's enemies, He rescued us by giving all....His Son. Not $5 dollars, His Son.
What if it was you who needed help? What if you were suddenly homeless, and all of the sudden no one knew you by your name anymore, but called you the homeless person..who smells, and is dirty, and looks crazy. (why don't you go for 3 days sleeping outside on a street with no shower and see how pretty you are)
Take a moment, please. Read the story of our friend again, and put your name, or the name of your loved one there....your neighbor, you enemy...Jesus' name there.
Does that change anything?
Monday, January 31, 2011
It's almost as if...
One of the jokes that I have with a friend of mine when things seem to happen all in unison, things unrelated to each other, things that shouldn't fit or work; is that it seems like there's a plan in this--almost like there's a God in charge. DUH!
The last week has been like that.
I decided that it was time to begin to engage Magazine on a new level, so last Monday the prayer walking took on a whole new fervor. We asked folks to pray that we would be able to engage at least 50 people, (we also asked God for 100 people to commit to support us financially, and for God to begin to raise up leaders for the lead team) and once on Magazine and praying it hit. The terror.
I don't know if you have ever stepped into where God was leading and felt it...wow. I haven't been that afraid for a long time. So I prayed. I begged God for discernment, direction, wisdom, favor--how in the world was I supposed to begin this.
After a couple of days of praying, walking, and feeling stalked; an idea came to mind.
I spend most of the day Friday putting together the necessary items that I would need to do what God had suggested. I called for some advice, and then Friday afternoon went out to Magazine.
Now, did I mention that in the midst of this, devotionally, I am studying Ephesians this week--just so happened that I am in Sp. Warfare training--[insert joke]
I began to walk up Magazine with the flyers in my hand, 2 of them, one with tear away's--for folks to have my number and web address, and the other to leave in shops for folks to take.
"Introducing a new Magazine st. faith community: Truth Love and Community through disciplemaking" We are a new faith community in the area, and we just want to love and serve the Magazine St. communities was what I was going to tell them.
If you haven't been down Magazine St. let me just say that I am on the tame end for Magazine (I love it!) And Churches--well, we haven't represented King Jesus real well...so, there is a bit of--did I mention the terror.
When the peace came on Friday afternoon it was palpable. All of the sudden, literally, doors were opening. Folks were letting me place flyers, even when they normally wouldn't allow them. Folks were talking with me, wondering what I was doing, and when I told them, they were excited. I was able to put flyers with tear away's up on the telephone poles, which Thursday night were cleaned up, and the church plant flyers were the only one's on them now.
Then things got weird. There was a music shop that I had walked into earlier in the week where I wasn't given any opportunity by the Holy Spirit to connect, and today the owner, who I recognized as a friend of John the pastor at CRCC was out. I asked if I could hang a flyer on the board outside his place. He not only said of course, but we talked, and he wanted to now more, and gave up an opportunity to serve a buddy of his. Just what we were praying for.
With this, later on Saturday a call came in from someone in the community wanting to connect with a community like what we were talking about; I bumped into another guy who is praying about being on our leadership team; and Sunday afternoon I gained a connect to get me into the Firehouse on Magazine that I was praying for. [insert Joke here, and a big praise God]
I went to worship at a church on Saturday that is of same heart and mind as us, and then did the same with our family on Sunday.
Then...today, the pressure at home was palpable. My wife is really feeling this, and it is especially hard for her [insert Joke, and a prayer for protection and refreshment for her here]
Now, I am on Magazine writing this--and guess what
All the flyer are gone, except for the one outside the music shop, yet it is covered by a concert.
You know what...I just want to jump up and celebrate and dance in the street.
LET ME MAKE THIS NOTICE TO ALL WHO ARE LISTENING AND READING....
JESUS KINGDOM HAS COME, AND IT IS SETTING UP RULE ON MAGAZINE STREET. THOSE WITH MOXIE--COME JOIN US
JESUS IS KING And there are folks who need to know how much He loves them, and we are here to let them know, and there will be more after us, until the King comes again.
It's almost as if...
[insert praise to the true amazing God, and pray for Him to raise up workers for the harvest cause it's plentiful, and the workers are needed desperately--is it you? Will you pray? Will you support? Will you come?]
The last week has been like that.
I decided that it was time to begin to engage Magazine on a new level, so last Monday the prayer walking took on a whole new fervor. We asked folks to pray that we would be able to engage at least 50 people, (we also asked God for 100 people to commit to support us financially, and for God to begin to raise up leaders for the lead team) and once on Magazine and praying it hit. The terror.
I don't know if you have ever stepped into where God was leading and felt it...wow. I haven't been that afraid for a long time. So I prayed. I begged God for discernment, direction, wisdom, favor--how in the world was I supposed to begin this.
After a couple of days of praying, walking, and feeling stalked; an idea came to mind.
I spend most of the day Friday putting together the necessary items that I would need to do what God had suggested. I called for some advice, and then Friday afternoon went out to Magazine.
Now, did I mention that in the midst of this, devotionally, I am studying Ephesians this week--just so happened that I am in Sp. Warfare training--[insert joke]
I began to walk up Magazine with the flyers in my hand, 2 of them, one with tear away's--for folks to have my number and web address, and the other to leave in shops for folks to take.
"Introducing a new Magazine st. faith community: Truth Love and Community through disciplemaking" We are a new faith community in the area, and we just want to love and serve the Magazine St. communities was what I was going to tell them.
If you haven't been down Magazine St. let me just say that I am on the tame end for Magazine (I love it!) And Churches--well, we haven't represented King Jesus real well...so, there is a bit of--did I mention the terror.
When the peace came on Friday afternoon it was palpable. All of the sudden, literally, doors were opening. Folks were letting me place flyers, even when they normally wouldn't allow them. Folks were talking with me, wondering what I was doing, and when I told them, they were excited. I was able to put flyers with tear away's up on the telephone poles, which Thursday night were cleaned up, and the church plant flyers were the only one's on them now.
Then things got weird. There was a music shop that I had walked into earlier in the week where I wasn't given any opportunity by the Holy Spirit to connect, and today the owner, who I recognized as a friend of John the pastor at CRCC was out. I asked if I could hang a flyer on the board outside his place. He not only said of course, but we talked, and he wanted to now more, and gave up an opportunity to serve a buddy of his. Just what we were praying for.
With this, later on Saturday a call came in from someone in the community wanting to connect with a community like what we were talking about; I bumped into another guy who is praying about being on our leadership team; and Sunday afternoon I gained a connect to get me into the Firehouse on Magazine that I was praying for. [insert Joke here, and a big praise God]
I went to worship at a church on Saturday that is of same heart and mind as us, and then did the same with our family on Sunday.
Then...today, the pressure at home was palpable. My wife is really feeling this, and it is especially hard for her [insert Joke, and a prayer for protection and refreshment for her here]
Now, I am on Magazine writing this--and guess what
All the flyer are gone, except for the one outside the music shop, yet it is covered by a concert.
You know what...I just want to jump up and celebrate and dance in the street.
LET ME MAKE THIS NOTICE TO ALL WHO ARE LISTENING AND READING....
JESUS KINGDOM HAS COME, AND IT IS SETTING UP RULE ON MAGAZINE STREET. THOSE WITH MOXIE--COME JOIN US
JESUS IS KING And there are folks who need to know how much He loves them, and we are here to let them know, and there will be more after us, until the King comes again.
It's almost as if...
[insert praise to the true amazing God, and pray for Him to raise up workers for the harvest cause it's plentiful, and the workers are needed desperately--is it you? Will you pray? Will you support? Will you come?]
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Dreaming about NOLA
God has created us with such beauty, complexity, and wonder hasn't He!
I love having the opportunity to sit down and talk with men and women who love God and His beauty, but find themselves unified under the Lordship of Jesus.
Just in this past week I have had the privilege of meeting with 15 people who are involved in ministry in one way or another, yet they are following Jesus as Lord, and pursuing His Kingdom, not their own.
What a refreshing thing
Along with that, I am always amazed, and really pumped to sit down with someone who I have never met before, but because Jesus is our Lord and Savior, we have a relational bond that bridges any gap. I have had that privilege 2 times in the past 10 days--Jesus is good, and it is a very good thing to serve Him.
One day, NOLA will be marked as a community of people who live like this--It has begun, God is on the move, and it is wonderful.
I love having the opportunity to sit down and talk with men and women who love God and His beauty, but find themselves unified under the Lordship of Jesus.
Just in this past week I have had the privilege of meeting with 15 people who are involved in ministry in one way or another, yet they are following Jesus as Lord, and pursuing His Kingdom, not their own.
What a refreshing thing
Along with that, I am always amazed, and really pumped to sit down with someone who I have never met before, but because Jesus is our Lord and Savior, we have a relational bond that bridges any gap. I have had that privilege 2 times in the past 10 days--Jesus is good, and it is a very good thing to serve Him.
One day, NOLA will be marked as a community of people who live like this--It has begun, God is on the move, and it is wonderful.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
It's a new year
Do you ever have those moments where you stop and take a look back and consider where you were say, 6 months or a year or so ago?
I'm having one of those moments right now as I sit in the coffee shop where God confirmed our call to NOLA. This is the place that folks thought about when they began to hear what God was saying to my heart as they got to know me.
A year of transition. A new child. A new call. Same great God.
I have to admit that it is a bit overwhelming to sit here and wonder about what God is going to do with me, yet as I look back over the past season of my life I see God's faithfulness, provision, goodness, kindness that a deep sense of adventurous peace falls on my soul.
I want to pray that God would have you take a deep breath and look back on what He has done in your life in the past season, and I hope that you too can sense that deep peace that passes my understanding of what in the world is going to happen today and tomorrow, and resting in the good big arms of Daddy-God
God bless ya
From NOLA
Eric
I'm having one of those moments right now as I sit in the coffee shop where God confirmed our call to NOLA. This is the place that folks thought about when they began to hear what God was saying to my heart as they got to know me.
A year of transition. A new child. A new call. Same great God.
I have to admit that it is a bit overwhelming to sit here and wonder about what God is going to do with me, yet as I look back over the past season of my life I see God's faithfulness, provision, goodness, kindness that a deep sense of adventurous peace falls on my soul.
I want to pray that God would have you take a deep breath and look back on what He has done in your life in the past season, and I hope that you too can sense that deep peace that passes my understanding of what in the world is going to happen today and tomorrow, and resting in the good big arms of Daddy-God
God bless ya
From NOLA
Eric
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Big Picture
Christmas is coming, and we are so excited to be able to spend Christmas here in NOLA.
It's incredible to think that God would leave all of His comforts, and glory to come and be with us. To be born in a dirty barn, and then put in a cow food bowl--I have thought about this a lot. (Especially having 3 Newf's at one time in our home...they reminded me of small cows some days)
It would seem to be realistic that when there was no room for them to stay, that it was probably at the end of the trip, and the animals would have been extra smelly, dirty, hungry, needing to go to the bathroom...
I remember being in the hospital when my kids were born; so little, so fragile, so clean...
What it must have been like for our Heavenly Father to watch His Son be born here.
The sacrifices that God has made, because He loves us so much. We are so glad to be with Him here in NOLA, to be adopted as His kids, and to share His Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven--to tell the story of what He has done because He loves us.
Is it really a sacrifice to follow Him, to give to Him, to serve Him...
I think it's a privilege, an honor, an adventure.
God, help us get our eyes off of the small picture, and see Your Big Picture this Christmas
It's incredible to think that God would leave all of His comforts, and glory to come and be with us. To be born in a dirty barn, and then put in a cow food bowl--I have thought about this a lot. (Especially having 3 Newf's at one time in our home...they reminded me of small cows some days)
It would seem to be realistic that when there was no room for them to stay, that it was probably at the end of the trip, and the animals would have been extra smelly, dirty, hungry, needing to go to the bathroom...
I remember being in the hospital when my kids were born; so little, so fragile, so clean...
What it must have been like for our Heavenly Father to watch His Son be born here.
The sacrifices that God has made, because He loves us so much. We are so glad to be with Him here in NOLA, to be adopted as His kids, and to share His Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven--to tell the story of what He has done because He loves us.
Is it really a sacrifice to follow Him, to give to Him, to serve Him...
I think it's a privilege, an honor, an adventure.
God, help us get our eyes off of the small picture, and see Your Big Picture this Christmas
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Welcome to NOLA
3500 miles, a 24 foot moving truck, 2 separate moving locations, and 5 states later (visited 3 times in 3 days) and we are finally here, and we are excited!
After months of prayerful preparation, paring down, connecting with friends, and much planning we have finally taken the leap and are in our new place in NOLA.
God has provided a place for us while we are transitioning to NOLA. God has provided a church body to come alongside us and to minister to us. God provided many hands to do the moving work, and we are thankful.
I have had a chance to wander Magazine St. and pray, as well as sit in CC's and write a bit. (The coffee shop a few folks said that I reminded them of when we were seeking God's direction for planting) That time writing and praying, and talking with Cristina has got me thinking...
Christmas brings not only the gift of hope in Jesus for us this year, but a new set of eyes. We are grateful for what God has provided, and are seeing how much we really do have--in many ways too much.
I am praying that God would continue to give eyes to see, ears to hear, and an obedient heart to respond to His Holy Spirit's leading.
I am so grateful for the enormous blessings that God has lavished on us, and I realize that the wealth that God gives is neutral in nature and it depends on where our hearts are at.
Yet, with that in mind I wonder if in all the consumerism of Christmas we have missed so much more than we realize?
What do you think?
After months of prayerful preparation, paring down, connecting with friends, and much planning we have finally taken the leap and are in our new place in NOLA.
God has provided a place for us while we are transitioning to NOLA. God has provided a church body to come alongside us and to minister to us. God provided many hands to do the moving work, and we are thankful.
I have had a chance to wander Magazine St. and pray, as well as sit in CC's and write a bit. (The coffee shop a few folks said that I reminded them of when we were seeking God's direction for planting) That time writing and praying, and talking with Cristina has got me thinking...
Christmas brings not only the gift of hope in Jesus for us this year, but a new set of eyes. We are grateful for what God has provided, and are seeing how much we really do have--in many ways too much.
I am praying that God would continue to give eyes to see, ears to hear, and an obedient heart to respond to His Holy Spirit's leading.
I am so grateful for the enormous blessings that God has lavished on us, and I realize that the wealth that God gives is neutral in nature and it depends on where our hearts are at.
Yet, with that in mind I wonder if in all the consumerism of Christmas we have missed so much more than we realize?
What do you think?
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