How much better does it get than this as a dad? My two oldest decide on their own to choose to be baptized as followers of Jesus. They state their desires and convictions to receive Him and follow His way. As I was praying for the gathering that morning, It struck me what these young hearts were choosing to do. I am humbled that through my inconsistent and often contrary life they still see Jesus well. Here's their words and sacred moment:
T-
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Life Steps
Too many weeks without an entry... busyness never ceases to pursue us... Ouch! Thanks to so many of you for the positive and kind words about this past Sundays conversation. Here's some "other" thoughts.
The unique "chazown" (Hebrew for "vision") of One Life Church is a longing, a yearning and a leaning/leading more than a mission objective. I has to come to us and engage us and draw us from a deeper well than simply an intellectual and cognitive agreement or persuasion. It begins with an "aha moment" or a few of them that reveal to us that there is something missing, something amiss, or even worse, a dis-ease that is affecting us and others. When we are still enough to be aware, we see that the whole world has been infected. The long-term prognosis does not look good. What can we do? Is there anyone bright enough or brave enough to lead the way? Do they have a viable and real solution?
There is One who was bright enough to see the real problem and prescribe the ultimate way for healing and health. He is One who brings hope and help. Jesus of Nazareth lived as the Truth, the Way and the Life before all who witnessed his beautiful and rescuing life.
What "way" did He live, model and boldly proclaim? Three words that describe this way: re-creation, communitas, and missio dei.
They are taught and injected into the disciples (read "apprentices") in the book of John in chapter 15. This "way" is simple, uncluttered and vast. Yet, is left unexplored by most, even those who claim to follow the Way. How hungry are you? How deep your longing? Do you yearn for a better and healthier way? Pursue Him will all you have.
Grace and Peace,
Troy
The unique "chazown" (Hebrew for "vision") of One Life Church is a longing, a yearning and a leaning/leading more than a mission objective. I has to come to us and engage us and draw us from a deeper well than simply an intellectual and cognitive agreement or persuasion. It begins with an "aha moment" or a few of them that reveal to us that there is something missing, something amiss, or even worse, a dis-ease that is affecting us and others. When we are still enough to be aware, we see that the whole world has been infected. The long-term prognosis does not look good. What can we do? Is there anyone bright enough or brave enough to lead the way? Do they have a viable and real solution?
There is One who was bright enough to see the real problem and prescribe the ultimate way for healing and health. He is One who brings hope and help. Jesus of Nazareth lived as the Truth, the Way and the Life before all who witnessed his beautiful and rescuing life.
What "way" did He live, model and boldly proclaim? Three words that describe this way: re-creation, communitas, and missio dei.
They are taught and injected into the disciples (read "apprentices") in the book of John in chapter 15. This "way" is simple, uncluttered and vast. Yet, is left unexplored by most, even those who claim to follow the Way. How hungry are you? How deep your longing? Do you yearn for a better and healthier way? Pursue Him will all you have.
Grace and Peace,
Troy
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Prayer of Interruption
Many of you have asked for a copy of the prayer we shared together on Sunday. It is a dangerous prayer as it invites God to interrupt our life with His Life. 1 Timothy 6:19
Grace and Peace,
Troy
I believe this day is a gift from God:
I receive it as unique, strategic and life-forming
I believe I have been given this one life, fixed in time:
It can not be repeated, re-done, or re-lived
I believe God is good and speaks today:
Through the Spirit, His unchanging Word, and other pilgrims
I respond to this sacred moment:
Interrupt me.
Teach me.
Change me!
In name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Grace and Peace,
Troy
Monday, April 7, 2008
Eyes yet seeing
My observation & confession. Most of us need things told to us straight. Explained a fully as possible. And even a second or third time. It is a rare time that I see the subtley of a truth clothed in a some common way. I probably miss much of what God is doing in and around me because of my own self-imposed blinders. I have tunnel vision for my own agenda. Because of this I miss the interconnectedness of God's Kingdom work.
Example: I tried something yesterday in our Sunday service. The message was open ended. Not 5 steps to freedom. Or a simple next step application. Not an easy tied together ending. Rather a question: Do you have a chazown (vision) from God that pulls you into life with Him and His Kingdom reality. Do you (we) live each day pursuing and engaging in that purposeful and soul-satisfying adventure?
The natural question I have is, "What does it look like?" The obvious answer is, "Jesus". When we examine and watch his life as recorded in the Gospel accounts, we find a life that is beautiful, challenging and tragic. How could a human live this way so intently and consistently. There is a mystery and open-ended-ness to the Way of Jesus. It is simple but not simplistic. Jesus invited those to really see what He was inviting us into, yet not so explicitly. It was somewhat enigmatic, cryptic, and cloaked.
But here's what we did see yesterday is our gathering was two examples of what it can look like:
First, the personal story of a young adult who went from home schooled Christian family to meth-addict and intravenous drug user to clean and sober Christ follower again. A real miracle and testimony to the work of God in our darkness and most self-destructive times. True Life redeemed and restored.
Second, a family offering and committing themselves and their child to God. Its picture of open hands and a hope-filled imagination for the future. Its a vision of what can be. Yet, in the first picture there was likely the same offering and commitment from the parents of the young adult. See the mystery? Can we hold the quandary and puzzle and the promise and hope in the same hand? I suspect it is a part of the 'chazown'.
Grace and peace,
Troy
Example: I tried something yesterday in our Sunday service. The message was open ended. Not 5 steps to freedom. Or a simple next step application. Not an easy tied together ending. Rather a question: Do you have a chazown (vision) from God that pulls you into life with Him and His Kingdom reality. Do you (we) live each day pursuing and engaging in that purposeful and soul-satisfying adventure?
The natural question I have is, "What does it look like?" The obvious answer is, "Jesus". When we examine and watch his life as recorded in the Gospel accounts, we find a life that is beautiful, challenging and tragic. How could a human live this way so intently and consistently. There is a mystery and open-ended-ness to the Way of Jesus. It is simple but not simplistic. Jesus invited those to really see what He was inviting us into, yet not so explicitly. It was somewhat enigmatic, cryptic, and cloaked.
But here's what we did see yesterday is our gathering was two examples of what it can look like:
First, the personal story of a young adult who went from home schooled Christian family to meth-addict and intravenous drug user to clean and sober Christ follower again. A real miracle and testimony to the work of God in our darkness and most self-destructive times. True Life redeemed and restored.
Second, a family offering and committing themselves and their child to God. Its picture of open hands and a hope-filled imagination for the future. Its a vision of what can be. Yet, in the first picture there was likely the same offering and commitment from the parents of the young adult. See the mystery? Can we hold the quandary and puzzle and the promise and hope in the same hand? I suspect it is a part of the 'chazown'.
Grace and peace,
Troy
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