So Juvenile hall was a moving thing. I geared up to share my testimony, confident that the Holy Spirit would use and give me the message for those kids. When I got there, i found out that they didn't have time for my testimony at the service so i went up into the cell blocks again. Where the kids don't like being preached to, but rather in dialog with.
Kota (a dear Japanese brother) and I got dropped off into this section of cells where about 20 kids live. After signing in, it is up to us to see if the kids would like to join us. They were all in the TV room and as I approached I heard "I don't need no Jesus. Allah is my God." That was met with confirming comments and so I was like "who wants to talk about Jesus Christ, His cross and the Word of God." Rejected!! As we turned around there was this one kid behind us who came up and was like: "You want to talk about Jesus, yeah I want that. I'll join you." So for visit one we met Chaz. I call him a brother because when he arrived at the Audi home (for the second time in his young life), two weeks ago, he prayed to have Jesus come into his heart and change his life. Chaz is a two week old believer with no support around him! God entrusted this fledgeling new believer to our counsel.
The second visit we talked with Maurice, Terry, and Charles. The last two are going before the judge today (14th). They were claiming Christ too and we had a good talk about what Jesus meant when he said "Seek first the kingdom of God..." They were ready to get out of jail -they all are. But they needed the God they come to rely on in jail to go with them out there. They said it wasn't easy. So I promised that we'd be in prayer for their transition. I offered the notion that God is sovereign meaning that seeking Him first might look like waiting, and that's exactly what it is. Waiting on God change your life and lift you up from your circumstance. Saying no when you get the feeling of a bad choice coming on.
The story that blessed me richly was this Moody girl named Chrissy. She got up in front of the girl's service (30 girls) and shared her testimony. It was a testimony of thinking she was a Christian all her life until she finds no proof of Jesus inside of her as she starts selling drugs etc... The ways she spoke was very patient and intensional looking to get the girls on the same page. She wept and at the end admitted this: "I came to know the Lord less than a year ago and look at the change." I was just amazed at what God did there.
I was shocked. Ever witness a believer being used by God so obviously in one day, one moment? So encouraging, I was just all ears because God was busy doing something and using her. When Chrissy went up into the boy's cells. She went to the solitary confinement section where a white boy-athiest was teasing her, making catcalls, telling her she looked good and wanted her to talk to him. Chrissy's buddy that was with her said "if you think she looks good in the outside, you should hear what God has done inside her." So she shared her testimony for a second time. This kid was humbled, silenced and knew the changes that happened to her were bigger than her. So she asked him if he wanted to receive Jesus as savior in your heart and he said yes and they prayed. Chrissy witnessed a change of heart in him she said. Talk about intense right!!
Her round two was another boys cell block. The kid she was talking to was a believer and had been just so frustrated on the topic of answered prayer. He mentioned that at certain times in his life God answers his prayers and blesses so obviously. Being locked up felt like there was no answer to prayer. He mentioned that for the last month he'd been praying for the salvation of this guy in his section that hated Jesus and argued with him constantly. He told Chrissy that the last time they argued about Christianity, things got so bad he got put in solitary confinement. Then Chrissy asked: "Is he an athiest?" the kid said "yes." Chrissy then asked: "Is he white?" He said, "yes" and told her the athiest's name. And she just started weeping sweet tears and told him that the kid in solitary confinement just received Christ into his heart about an hour ago with her.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Am I Insulted When God is?
I'm back in the dealings of Moody, Work, and my one bedroom apartment. My car is still feisty and rebellious towards its innate functions. Aren't we all rebellious towards our innate function should it defined as worshiping and loving God?
I just want to illustrate where my life is constantly rebellious to God. Ever run late to the airport? Speeding in the car, running in the airport, and totally irritated by the line of people checking bags before you for a flight that will leave an hour later than yours? Thoughts are constantly fixated on the ever changing percentage of making or missing the flight. There is not time to go to the restroom, your name is on the concourse PA as a "final boarding call" and you're still putting on your shoes, and sliding on your belt after the TSA folks finish with you. -Have I run the race? Yes. Will I finish? Yes. Have I kept my eyes on Jesus?...
Keeping your eyes on Jesus has to do with prioritizing and big-picture framework. These are not strong points of my faith. For one I don't think to manage my time, prioritizing doesn't happen much. And two, without the big-picture ( what God is doing) I address immediate needs and panic to make it to my gate on time. If i played out the worse case scenario that would give way to big-picture thinking: So I miss my flight: Boo-hoo. There are many more. Unfortunately along the way I forget to consult Jesus, to look to Him, REST in Him amid the hub-bub. Dealing with Bi-Polar One I find my mania intensifies these urges to speed-up.
My days are so busy out here that I feel like I've been trying to catch that last minute flight for two months now. With this time in Colorado, I have taken a big-picture breath. I've been challenged to implement the priorities I claim in my life.
1. God, My intimate devotion to Him, loving Him, finding out who He is, being with Him, reading His Words, singing. Resting in His shadow. Trusting my circumstance to Him. Insisting on His promises in Scripture. Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still."
2. My neighbors and family. Relationships, available to give of myself, bless others in serving, perpetuate gestures of love, (maybe why I'm writing this instead of my Apologetic's paper right now) To declare blessings on others.
3. general personal growth. With God, vision of serving Him, discovering my vocation, being able to provide for others. Shelter, my sweet ride.
4. School.
5. Work.
The problem is this. I stress and worry about 4 and 5 like its number one. If God was my place of employment and He implements what He wants in a worker (He does), I would be on final warning for violating company policy. When was the last time I felt bad for being late to reading my Bible? Or when have I been pulled into the office for doing a no call no show when it comes to praying for others first? Have I ever been written up by God because I didn't turn the other cheek, on the day God was counting on it?
Indulge by seeing Jesus' role in realigning God's business and my usefulness as his employee despite those constant violations. Does anyone really deserve a raise?
That is why the passage I read today was so striking. John 2:17. After Jesus whips and overturns the vendors in the temple courts. After witnessing, His disciples say about Jesus "Zeal for your house will consume me." This referring to Psalm 69:9 about developing a holy zeal for when the Lord is mocked. When have i gotten seriously cheesed at the state of my #1 and #2. In contrast I can tell you i get cheesed daily about my performance with #4 and #5.
I just want to illustrate where my life is constantly rebellious to God. Ever run late to the airport? Speeding in the car, running in the airport, and totally irritated by the line of people checking bags before you for a flight that will leave an hour later than yours? Thoughts are constantly fixated on the ever changing percentage of making or missing the flight. There is not time to go to the restroom, your name is on the concourse PA as a "final boarding call" and you're still putting on your shoes, and sliding on your belt after the TSA folks finish with you. -Have I run the race? Yes. Will I finish? Yes. Have I kept my eyes on Jesus?...
Keeping your eyes on Jesus has to do with prioritizing and big-picture framework. These are not strong points of my faith. For one I don't think to manage my time, prioritizing doesn't happen much. And two, without the big-picture ( what God is doing) I address immediate needs and panic to make it to my gate on time. If i played out the worse case scenario that would give way to big-picture thinking: So I miss my flight: Boo-hoo. There are many more. Unfortunately along the way I forget to consult Jesus, to look to Him, REST in Him amid the hub-bub. Dealing with Bi-Polar One I find my mania intensifies these urges to speed-up.
My days are so busy out here that I feel like I've been trying to catch that last minute flight for two months now. With this time in Colorado, I have taken a big-picture breath. I've been challenged to implement the priorities I claim in my life.
1. God, My intimate devotion to Him, loving Him, finding out who He is, being with Him, reading His Words, singing. Resting in His shadow. Trusting my circumstance to Him. Insisting on His promises in Scripture. Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still."
2. My neighbors and family. Relationships, available to give of myself, bless others in serving, perpetuate gestures of love, (maybe why I'm writing this instead of my Apologetic's paper right now) To declare blessings on others.
3. general personal growth. With God, vision of serving Him, discovering my vocation, being able to provide for others. Shelter, my sweet ride.
4. School.
5. Work.
The problem is this. I stress and worry about 4 and 5 like its number one. If God was my place of employment and He implements what He wants in a worker (He does), I would be on final warning for violating company policy. When was the last time I felt bad for being late to reading my Bible? Or when have I been pulled into the office for doing a no call no show when it comes to praying for others first? Have I ever been written up by God because I didn't turn the other cheek, on the day God was counting on it?
Indulge by seeing Jesus' role in realigning God's business and my usefulness as his employee despite those constant violations. Does anyone really deserve a raise?
That is why the passage I read today was so striking. John 2:17. After Jesus whips and overturns the vendors in the temple courts. After witnessing, His disciples say about Jesus "Zeal for your house will consume me." This referring to Psalm 69:9 about developing a holy zeal for when the Lord is mocked. When have i gotten seriously cheesed at the state of my #1 and #2. In contrast I can tell you i get cheesed daily about my performance with #4 and #5.
Servicio en la Ciudad
Service in the city was a blessing to be a part of. I went to "la villita" also known as little village and more endearingly still: The Mexico of the Midwest. The claim to fame is its uncanny resemblance to Mexico city for a radius of about two miles. I was placed there, not my choice, so I feel even more like asking God: why send me to La Villita? What's my application, what is God telling me? Porque la Villita?
We subdivided into small groups to hand out the food. We (Danny, Rick and Nic) delivered bags of food and presents to about 15 houses all of whom didn't speak english except for a "thank you". These were living spaces tucked behind the house on the streets. Clusters of unofficial residences, overpopulated studio apartments without windows, and kitchens where the bathroom sink should be.
We were timely, a lady praised the gifts because she had just returned from a funeral in Mexico and had no money for groceries. Rick was the go-to speaker. Danny's 11 years old and didn't speak english so I busted out my fragmented Spanish with him: "diga-me tu historias favorido de Jesus?" He opened up to me and was busy teaching me new Spanish vocabulary words. I called him professor and he lit up. The he told me that my Spanish reminded him of the white guy on some Mexican soap opera.
I came to the conclusion that if urban ministry in the United States is what God has in store for me. Then it is imperative that i become fluent on Spanish. I was told by well qualified urban ministers that immigration rights is the biggest civil rights issue in America today. the Bible says to treat the alien as our own. Yet this barrio (hood) is plagued with domestic violence, labor exploitation and unjust landlords all because if the victims call the authorities about any of this they will be deported. It is a dangerous, evil, entrapment.
We were at Nueva Vida: New Life Community Church that provides daily free internet for the community. Free fitness classes, after school program, english classes, addiction classes. I was proud to represent that church and I'm thinking of going to Spanish service there. One thing about the Latino community is there is much Catholic pride. I came upon houses that had stickers in the window with icon paintings of Mary and Jesus and it stated "We are Catholic and do not welcome Protestant solicitation of any kind." Much division there.
The Moody grad school reconvened at night over a meal and shared our experiences. People were saved, ministries were affirmed, hard workers for Christ were recognized and many communities were provided for with food.
Praise God for such a loaded attack on the city in His name.
We subdivided into small groups to hand out the food. We (Danny, Rick and Nic) delivered bags of food and presents to about 15 houses all of whom didn't speak english except for a "thank you". These were living spaces tucked behind the house on the streets. Clusters of unofficial residences, overpopulated studio apartments without windows, and kitchens where the bathroom sink should be.
We were timely, a lady praised the gifts because she had just returned from a funeral in Mexico and had no money for groceries. Rick was the go-to speaker. Danny's 11 years old and didn't speak english so I busted out my fragmented Spanish with him: "diga-me tu historias favorido de Jesus?" He opened up to me and was busy teaching me new Spanish vocabulary words. I called him professor and he lit up. The he told me that my Spanish reminded him of the white guy on some Mexican soap opera.
I came to the conclusion that if urban ministry in the United States is what God has in store for me. Then it is imperative that i become fluent on Spanish. I was told by well qualified urban ministers that immigration rights is the biggest civil rights issue in America today. the Bible says to treat the alien as our own. Yet this barrio (hood) is plagued with domestic violence, labor exploitation and unjust landlords all because if the victims call the authorities about any of this they will be deported. It is a dangerous, evil, entrapment.
We were at Nueva Vida: New Life Community Church that provides daily free internet for the community. Free fitness classes, after school program, english classes, addiction classes. I was proud to represent that church and I'm thinking of going to Spanish service there. One thing about the Latino community is there is much Catholic pride. I came upon houses that had stickers in the window with icon paintings of Mary and Jesus and it stated "We are Catholic and do not welcome Protestant solicitation of any kind." Much division there.
The Moody grad school reconvened at night over a meal and shared our experiences. People were saved, ministries were affirmed, hard workers for Christ were recognized and many communities were provided for with food.
Praise God for such a loaded attack on the city in His name.
Service in the City
Moody's got a great outreach coming up this Saturday called: Service in the City. We teamed up the mayor's office's faith based initiatives department to go to the most broken neighborhoods in the city. There are about twelve centers we'll divvy into(retirement homes, after school programs, churches involved in community development etc..). The city opened its pocket and food banks for us to bring food and make food for the communities. The rest is a time of sharing the Gospel. there are two centers where its more of a work based day of service. The central focus is around the discussions, and sharing food. Being social to promote the centers we'll be at so neighbors will think to go there for help, safety, and care.
If there's one thing I've learned this year serving at Starfish in the Westside ghetto of Chicago. The people you serve will take your handouts, be polite in your company, but they know full well that you're leaving after the day is through. My presence is almost salt on their wounds even though that is not my intension. There's this injustice barrier, poverty barrier, and cultural barrier that isn't healed by the outside dropping by with milk and cookies. Sending money, serving up mash at the food shelter once a year, hanging out with kid, those seem to be more meaningful to the giver than the receiver. Its inevitable to, at least for a while, grow a messiah complex: "I'm gonna point the poor people to Christ. I'm show them the answer and the Bible. Then God's love and care will show them out of marginalization, oppression and the ghetto.
It'll all be good, then I go home to my neighborhood, pray and God is gonna clean up the hood and i helped. Urban ministry means moving in, gaining street credit: That I'm not just a here-today-gone-tomorrow curiosity. I give "big props" to my brother and his wife for choosing to live in Garfield Park, raising kids there for the sake of Jesus. -Not just serving and leaving. It takes huge faith to believe that moldy ghetto can behold the influence of God almighty. They are prayerfully developing a hope in Christ for the community, through nourishing presence, regenerative social programs and withstanding hate.
Moody isn't trying to perpetuate a hood mentality by dropping food and leaving. We are advertising help 24-7 to the worst hoods in Chicago. Who knows I might get plugged in and asked to become a resident where I serve.
If there's one thing I've learned this year serving at Starfish in the Westside ghetto of Chicago. The people you serve will take your handouts, be polite in your company, but they know full well that you're leaving after the day is through. My presence is almost salt on their wounds even though that is not my intension. There's this injustice barrier, poverty barrier, and cultural barrier that isn't healed by the outside dropping by with milk and cookies. Sending money, serving up mash at the food shelter once a year, hanging out with kid, those seem to be more meaningful to the giver than the receiver. Its inevitable to, at least for a while, grow a messiah complex: "I'm gonna point the poor people to Christ. I'm show them the answer and the Bible. Then God's love and care will show them out of marginalization, oppression and the ghetto.
It'll all be good, then I go home to my neighborhood, pray and God is gonna clean up the hood and i helped. Urban ministry means moving in, gaining street credit: That I'm not just a here-today-gone-tomorrow curiosity. I give "big props" to my brother and his wife for choosing to live in Garfield Park, raising kids there for the sake of Jesus. -Not just serving and leaving. It takes huge faith to believe that moldy ghetto can behold the influence of God almighty. They are prayerfully developing a hope in Christ for the community, through nourishing presence, regenerative social programs and withstanding hate.
Moody isn't trying to perpetuate a hood mentality by dropping food and leaving. We are advertising help 24-7 to the worst hoods in Chicago. Who knows I might get plugged in and asked to become a resident where I serve.
Maybe its the Caffeine Talking
I was going to take the week off from spilling out the guts of my days, but I felt like working through some topics so I can see a bigger picture of what God is doing and be prayed for. I seek not to be prideful about any of these entries. That's why its good to get feedback from ya'll regarding insights, any wrong though on my part and/or advice. Oh and I think its vital (and humbling) as a Christian to ask people to pray for you and yours.
Work is hard, I'm a verbal "love language" kind of guy and my work is a time "love language" kind of thing. So we never fully are satisfied with each other. I have a hard time just loving on my team. Largely because of diversity issues and misunderstandings, The only white leader overnight who leads a team of minorities plays a role no matter how much we try and get around the taboos. I pray for each of them often. I just cannot get them to care about their job past a certain point. I got two that are being written up often, two that do a good job but won't lift a finger beyond their own tasks. And another that is so mood-swing-prone that I don't know how to speak to her. Thankfully i do have very positive (LOL) relationships with many of the fellow team leaders.
God is there, I'm being watched for being a "Christian" (sometimes i don't rep. for Jesus as Jesus would). The whole passage of the Bible that says that believers and unbelievers are a stench to each other's nostrils is often what i feel at work. I don't want my love for my team to be interpreted as a stench but it just plays out that way. I remember singing in the dairy department a few hymns as i put up signs, trying to not sing out too loud. And I just wondered when the last time anyone ever sang a hymn in the dairy department given how every night it gets bombarded with adultery songs, getting crunk and acting all thug.
It is my Sundays I want back. They have told me that i will be off every other Saturday. It has yet to happen, But I do wish to be worshiping God in a body of believers every Sunday. Overnight is tuff, but God has redeemed my fears of working overnight. Because my last trip to the looney bin was seasoned by me working overnight. Can we praise God for that restoring work?
I notice sin in my life regarding how i deal with feelings of anxiety. (incredible how i would have never seen this flaw if i didn't have the conviction of the Holy Spirit within me).The workload at school is a good bit harder this semester. My hopes to take in what i study, and be nourished spiritually is being victimized by a skim-and-spit-out-a-paper process. Certainly not what i want, probably not that uncommon either. So the pressure of school hangs on me everyday. This anxiety is handled wrongly: I tend to over eat, over sleep and check out the television. When i should be hacking away bit by bit. Bad weekly planning could be blamed as well.
One last thing in Apologetics, I'm reading about the Qur'an alongside the Bible since they both claim to be the Word of God, its just incredible how the hardening of Muslims hearts is done by the Qur'an. It contains false technical problems like geographic and historic information. Instead of admitting the obvious mistakes (backed by historians, archaeologists), Muslims accuse the Bible as being corrupted. This is the tip of the iceberg.
The main consolidator in my mind of how the Bible is the Word of God is that fact that: Jesus had to/wanted to do the work to save me. -not me or anything I will do. Most other religions preach a "what you have to do to earn salvation." My salvation is contingent on Jesus Christ. Fulfilled prophesy is also full proof in defending the Bible as the Word of God.
Work is hard, I'm a verbal "love language" kind of guy and my work is a time "love language" kind of thing. So we never fully are satisfied with each other. I have a hard time just loving on my team. Largely because of diversity issues and misunderstandings, The only white leader overnight who leads a team of minorities plays a role no matter how much we try and get around the taboos. I pray for each of them often. I just cannot get them to care about their job past a certain point. I got two that are being written up often, two that do a good job but won't lift a finger beyond their own tasks. And another that is so mood-swing-prone that I don't know how to speak to her. Thankfully i do have very positive (LOL) relationships with many of the fellow team leaders.
God is there, I'm being watched for being a "Christian" (sometimes i don't rep. for Jesus as Jesus would). The whole passage of the Bible that says that believers and unbelievers are a stench to each other's nostrils is often what i feel at work. I don't want my love for my team to be interpreted as a stench but it just plays out that way. I remember singing in the dairy department a few hymns as i put up signs, trying to not sing out too loud. And I just wondered when the last time anyone ever sang a hymn in the dairy department given how every night it gets bombarded with adultery songs, getting crunk and acting all thug.
It is my Sundays I want back. They have told me that i will be off every other Saturday. It has yet to happen, But I do wish to be worshiping God in a body of believers every Sunday. Overnight is tuff, but God has redeemed my fears of working overnight. Because my last trip to the looney bin was seasoned by me working overnight. Can we praise God for that restoring work?
I notice sin in my life regarding how i deal with feelings of anxiety. (incredible how i would have never seen this flaw if i didn't have the conviction of the Holy Spirit within me).The workload at school is a good bit harder this semester. My hopes to take in what i study, and be nourished spiritually is being victimized by a skim-and-spit-out-a-paper process. Certainly not what i want, probably not that uncommon either. So the pressure of school hangs on me everyday. This anxiety is handled wrongly: I tend to over eat, over sleep and check out the television. When i should be hacking away bit by bit. Bad weekly planning could be blamed as well.
One last thing in Apologetics, I'm reading about the Qur'an alongside the Bible since they both claim to be the Word of God, its just incredible how the hardening of Muslims hearts is done by the Qur'an. It contains false technical problems like geographic and historic information. Instead of admitting the obvious mistakes (backed by historians, archaeologists), Muslims accuse the Bible as being corrupted. This is the tip of the iceberg.
The main consolidator in my mind of how the Bible is the Word of God is that fact that: Jesus had to/wanted to do the work to save me. -not me or anything I will do. Most other religions preach a "what you have to do to earn salvation." My salvation is contingent on Jesus Christ. Fulfilled prophesy is also full proof in defending the Bible as the Word of God.
Praising God For Jesus in You
I love what God has done with you. I thank God that He chose you (as members of Christ's body on earth) to grow me. He uses you to show me what it means to follow and worship Him.
What is love? As I spend my devotional time with God in the Gospel of Luke, I'm convinced that Luke uses the most adjectives out of all the Gospel authors. If that's actually true I really don't know. So I'm glad that I spent a chunk of my Valentine's day undivided with God! This being Valentines day heightens the heart strings to soprano-crescendo-rapido. God is so blessedly good, in love with me and He lets me know it.
It kinda humbles me to think that I need God's love in the form of daily provision, hourly mercy and constant grace. In contrast, God asks for my burdens, anxieties, and praises. He wants them, God I think is an emotionally receptive God. He is compassionate and considerate to our emotion. Actually when I cry (tears) out of a spiritual prompting it is proof that God exists for me because I hadn't cried since middle school. Now and then I feel a good cry is a release unto God.
What's the deal with God's fixation on us praising Him? Why does He want us to call Him Holy? To worship Him and glorify His name and works alone. Doesn't God already know all this about Him? Why is He so insistent on praise-seeking? Is that God bragging or just being relational with us?
I think, its because it brings us something as His children. Two hypotheses:
One: It for our own good. It is important to remember that we desperately need Him and He doesn't need us. Praising Him is for our own good, it sets our thoughts on God and His holiness. If you want to know what heaven's like: praise God. Heaven is an eternity of worship! (Is this what monasteries were modeled after?) Worship in direct proximity to God. -I hope we all know how worthy He is of our praises. Besides I don't know of anyone that asks for my burdens or anxieties like Jesus does. Praise Him.
Second, Being literally: all-good God has a right, a holy jealousy when credit isn't given to Him as it ought. Instead something is substituted to replace God and it gets the praise instead. Like a toy poodle in a knitted sweater getting the owners praises for cuteness and companionship because it might make the owner feel a deeper sense of identity. This deferring of credit happens all the time, just watch Oprah. I don't worship God as fully as He merits in my life. Giving God the credit for things like talent peels back those layers of pride that so easily grows out of skill. So today i want to praise Him with gratitude: for honesty, for writing, for humor, for leading, for being a Frenchie, for my sick defensive skills in the paint etc... That must please Him, Doesn't He say somewhere in the Bible that He delight in our praises. I hope I'm not making this up. It sounds like it fits God's character, so familiar... Maybe its "I will inhabit the praises of my people."
Praise and worship the name of Jesus Christ because of Him restoring my life with God the Father, and residing within me making me a temple for the Holy Spirit. I'll do the same: I'll praise God for everyone that I send this to for the work He's done in ya'll. Ya'hear. Let's worship with zeal. Lets give Him the credit for the believers in our lives, and also lets bless the unbeliever, and enemies. That's a Valentine God would approve of.
What is love? As I spend my devotional time with God in the Gospel of Luke, I'm convinced that Luke uses the most adjectives out of all the Gospel authors. If that's actually true I really don't know. So I'm glad that I spent a chunk of my Valentine's day undivided with God! This being Valentines day heightens the heart strings to soprano-crescendo-rapido. God is so blessedly good, in love with me and He lets me know it.
It kinda humbles me to think that I need God's love in the form of daily provision, hourly mercy and constant grace. In contrast, God asks for my burdens, anxieties, and praises. He wants them, God I think is an emotionally receptive God. He is compassionate and considerate to our emotion. Actually when I cry (tears) out of a spiritual prompting it is proof that God exists for me because I hadn't cried since middle school. Now and then I feel a good cry is a release unto God.
What's the deal with God's fixation on us praising Him? Why does He want us to call Him Holy? To worship Him and glorify His name and works alone. Doesn't God already know all this about Him? Why is He so insistent on praise-seeking? Is that God bragging or just being relational with us?
I think, its because it brings us something as His children. Two hypotheses:
One: It for our own good. It is important to remember that we desperately need Him and He doesn't need us. Praising Him is for our own good, it sets our thoughts on God and His holiness. If you want to know what heaven's like: praise God. Heaven is an eternity of worship! (Is this what monasteries were modeled after?) Worship in direct proximity to God. -I hope we all know how worthy He is of our praises. Besides I don't know of anyone that asks for my burdens or anxieties like Jesus does. Praise Him.
Second, Being literally: all-good God has a right, a holy jealousy when credit isn't given to Him as it ought. Instead something is substituted to replace God and it gets the praise instead. Like a toy poodle in a knitted sweater getting the owners praises for cuteness and companionship because it might make the owner feel a deeper sense of identity. This deferring of credit happens all the time, just watch Oprah. I don't worship God as fully as He merits in my life. Giving God the credit for things like talent peels back those layers of pride that so easily grows out of skill. So today i want to praise Him with gratitude: for honesty, for writing, for humor, for leading, for being a Frenchie, for my sick defensive skills in the paint etc... That must please Him, Doesn't He say somewhere in the Bible that He delight in our praises. I hope I'm not making this up. It sounds like it fits God's character, so familiar... Maybe its "I will inhabit the praises of my people."
Praise and worship the name of Jesus Christ because of Him restoring my life with God the Father, and residing within me making me a temple for the Holy Spirit. I'll do the same: I'll praise God for everyone that I send this to for the work He's done in ya'll. Ya'hear. Let's worship with zeal. Lets give Him the credit for the believers in our lives, and also lets bless the unbeliever, and enemies. That's a Valentine God would approve of.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Social Elixir for the Morally Motivated
So when my life uprooted to Moody Theological Seminary (the name became official). I was totally encouraged by 95% of the people I told. Regardless of their endorsement or not, "What are you going to do after?" was almost always the follow-up question. I would reply with the ever-good: "trust God." "Follow His leading."
Today when I met for my first consultation with my new psychiatrist. I anticipated being placed in "the Christian box". Most psychiatrists i've met with since submitting to Jesus put proclaiming born-agains into a: co-dependent, ready to quit medication, unable to understand depression category. Ironically if you say you have no faith belief, most psychiatrists recommend having one. However today's evaluation was not typical. This guy is the chairman of the board of psychiatry for Sinai medical group (big group). So I had to give straight answers, I couldn't help but be nervous. Why couldn't i just go out of my way to find a Christian phychiatrist. Doctor and i hit it off, he gave me restaurant recommendations in Cicero. (you know you're in good with someone in Chicago if they give you restaurant recommendations.)
What surprised me was when he asked me "what do you want to do after school?" And without a hesitation, -as if spoken by my heart, I uttered: "Community development." It was a sort of surprise. Yes it helps that I'm reading a book about it right now that has consumed me so much that instead of a quick read, I'm taking in every word regardless of when the paper is due on it.
I am in total respect for the existing Christian community models in Chicago: Bethel Church, Lawndale Community Church, South Asian Friendship Center. They performed gentrification of neighborhoods God's way: Amazing. God turned around wasted communities through churches that pushed its functions as a church to include: Daycare, Employment agency, Medical center, Legal consultation, Housing cooperatives, moving and storage, recreation centers and more; all done "brick by brick" over multiple decades within the community itself. They didn't send people downtown to work, they generated employment within the community.
Incredible stories of Christians constantly partnering cross denominational, cross political, focusing (not on the differences) only on the injustice, and needs apparent within a specific community. All for the benefit of the poor, the alien, the widow, the orphan, the elderly, single moms, and the sick. Community development is the social elixir bringing the morally motivated together. This is the befriending of a church to an entire community through their specific needs as well. Remember if 75% of converts come to faith through friends or relatives. Isn't this a fast track for the Lord to give us all new friends?
In a way, community development is seen as a preemptive effort to avoid building homeless shelters, food banks, soup kitchens, addiction recovery clinics (not do away with them, some models include these too). In the hopes that Jesus would transform the cycle of poverty and those in need would be commissioned to work and make life happen within the locale of the community as Christ regenerates. And the broken find trust in Jesus.
So when it comes to urban ministry Moody is the cheerleader for Christian community development through collaboration. They promote this way more than church planting in my opinion. So a non-profit organization called Christian Community Development Assocaition (CCDA) based out of Chicago has documented models and practices to transform communities in Jesus' name based on past examples. They have an annual conference that is not to be missed if this is your thing.
I have been praying ever since I came to Moody about God planting a vision for His labor in my life. Can we pray about this direction, to distinguish if this is the work He has prepared for me. If so, that is would be met with collaborations even now at Moody. Maybe i could go and glean off the existing communities in Chicago today.
So quite apparently in the last weeks God has (so it seems) been stretching my heart for the unsaved. I don't ever recalling crying for anyone regarding their absence of Christ (other than myself); Or seen evangelism as an imperative to growing your faith. It so is!! And community development?? Did it just come from the sky and tug at my heart strings? We'll see. Reading all about this make the reader one giant optimist -and there's nothing wrong with that.
Today when I met for my first consultation with my new psychiatrist. I anticipated being placed in "the Christian box". Most psychiatrists i've met with since submitting to Jesus put proclaiming born-agains into a: co-dependent, ready to quit medication, unable to understand depression category. Ironically if you say you have no faith belief, most psychiatrists recommend having one. However today's evaluation was not typical. This guy is the chairman of the board of psychiatry for Sinai medical group (big group). So I had to give straight answers, I couldn't help but be nervous. Why couldn't i just go out of my way to find a Christian phychiatrist. Doctor and i hit it off, he gave me restaurant recommendations in Cicero. (you know you're in good with someone in Chicago if they give you restaurant recommendations.)
What surprised me was when he asked me "what do you want to do after school?" And without a hesitation, -as if spoken by my heart, I uttered: "Community development." It was a sort of surprise. Yes it helps that I'm reading a book about it right now that has consumed me so much that instead of a quick read, I'm taking in every word regardless of when the paper is due on it.
I am in total respect for the existing Christian community models in Chicago: Bethel Church, Lawndale Community Church, South Asian Friendship Center. They performed gentrification of neighborhoods God's way: Amazing. God turned around wasted communities through churches that pushed its functions as a church to include: Daycare, Employment agency, Medical center, Legal consultation, Housing cooperatives, moving and storage, recreation centers and more; all done "brick by brick" over multiple decades within the community itself. They didn't send people downtown to work, they generated employment within the community.
Incredible stories of Christians constantly partnering cross denominational, cross political, focusing (not on the differences) only on the injustice, and needs apparent within a specific community. All for the benefit of the poor, the alien, the widow, the orphan, the elderly, single moms, and the sick. Community development is the social elixir bringing the morally motivated together. This is the befriending of a church to an entire community through their specific needs as well. Remember if 75% of converts come to faith through friends or relatives. Isn't this a fast track for the Lord to give us all new friends?
In a way, community development is seen as a preemptive effort to avoid building homeless shelters, food banks, soup kitchens, addiction recovery clinics (not do away with them, some models include these too). In the hopes that Jesus would transform the cycle of poverty and those in need would be commissioned to work and make life happen within the locale of the community as Christ regenerates. And the broken find trust in Jesus.
So when it comes to urban ministry Moody is the cheerleader for Christian community development through collaboration. They promote this way more than church planting in my opinion. So a non-profit organization called Christian Community Development Assocaition (CCDA) based out of Chicago has documented models and practices to transform communities in Jesus' name based on past examples. They have an annual conference that is not to be missed if this is your thing.
I have been praying ever since I came to Moody about God planting a vision for His labor in my life. Can we pray about this direction, to distinguish if this is the work He has prepared for me. If so, that is would be met with collaborations even now at Moody. Maybe i could go and glean off the existing communities in Chicago today.
So quite apparently in the last weeks God has (so it seems) been stretching my heart for the unsaved. I don't ever recalling crying for anyone regarding their absence of Christ (other than myself); Or seen evangelism as an imperative to growing your faith. It so is!! And community development?? Did it just come from the sky and tug at my heart strings? We'll see. Reading all about this make the reader one giant optimist -and there's nothing wrong with that.
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