John 7:1
1 After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him.
I love this verse. I cannot say that I have ever payed attention to it before but today it was like gold in my heart. I have two thoughts as to why I love this:
1. Jesus didn't do things just to say that he could. He didn't go to Judea not because he didn't think that he could escape death, he didn't go to Judea because God had not instructed him to be there yet. He is obedient. Judea was full of action, that is where the huge gathering was but Jesus didn't desire the attention enough to be disobedient. he waited because he knew his time in Judea would come at the right time. How often do I want to jump into new things because they will get me ahead, or they will be full of publicity, or they will make money? Jesus trusts God enough to trust His timing. That is a huge lesson in itself. Wait to be told to move before you sprint off in the wrong direction.
2. How often do we find ourselves, even in our intentional living and ministry, purposefully hurting ourselves? I'm not talking death blows but flesh wounds. In the words of Johnny cash, "I hurt myself today, to see if I still feel." I am serious. Is it not natural to expect the worse? When things are smooth, when things are working there is always a spot reserved in the free will portion of our brains to trigger a destructive emotion that is ticking like a time-bomb. In order to feed the emotion there becomes a subconscious search for distress. Jesus doesn't want things to go wrong. He is stoked about perfection, he desires good. He didn't go to Judea because it would disturb his ministry, his death was not necessary at that time yet he still had feeling, he wasn't searching for pain he simply trusts that good is good.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
John 6 -- The Choice
John 6:6
6 He (Jesus) asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
I think this cometary is very interesting. Here the writer, John, places a bit of personal observation into his depiction of what was shaping up to be the largest scale miracle Jesus had performed thus far in his ministry. The observation being that John could tell that Jesus was asking a chase-the-rabbit type of question to his disciple Philip. The author knew that Jesus had a plan, that Jesus was in control, that from by the looks of Jesus he was in no way nervous about the reality of feeding 5,000 grown men with no food. So obviously John knew something was about to happen, he had an understanding for the present that Philip was still unable to grasp. That is cool, it sheds light unto the understanding that we are not all going to have an equal understanding of Jesus, we are not all going to have the same level of faith at all times, we all have a different role for the the kingdom, we are unique.
The real reason I think this passage is interesting though is the fact that Jesus intentionally questioned the disciple he knew would chase the question the hardest. Jesus had complete control of the situation, Philips suggestion as to handle the food dilemma held no weight but the reality is that if Jesus would not have asked Philip to weigh in on the circumstances with his own thoughts first, Philip may have completely missed the teaching point because he had no vested interest in the 'how'.
The thing that we don't see is Philip getting upset and stomping off because Jesus asked him a question. He doesn't throw his hands up in disgust because he is being challenged by authority, he doesn't make a scene, and Philip certainly doesn't try to feed the 5,000 on his own out of spite because he is being pressured. No, he answers. He answers honestly. He answers wrong. Then he sits back and watches (probably in amazement) as Jesus works a miracle, then he reaps the benefits with 12 baskets of leftovers.
Philip was respectful and stayed around for the party, he didn't get mad when Jesus challenged him, questioned him, and put him on the spot.
Philip made the right choice.
6 He (Jesus) asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
I think this cometary is very interesting. Here the writer, John, places a bit of personal observation into his depiction of what was shaping up to be the largest scale miracle Jesus had performed thus far in his ministry. The observation being that John could tell that Jesus was asking a chase-the-rabbit type of question to his disciple Philip. The author knew that Jesus had a plan, that Jesus was in control, that from by the looks of Jesus he was in no way nervous about the reality of feeding 5,000 grown men with no food. So obviously John knew something was about to happen, he had an understanding for the present that Philip was still unable to grasp. That is cool, it sheds light unto the understanding that we are not all going to have an equal understanding of Jesus, we are not all going to have the same level of faith at all times, we all have a different role for the the kingdom, we are unique.
The real reason I think this passage is interesting though is the fact that Jesus intentionally questioned the disciple he knew would chase the question the hardest. Jesus had complete control of the situation, Philips suggestion as to handle the food dilemma held no weight but the reality is that if Jesus would not have asked Philip to weigh in on the circumstances with his own thoughts first, Philip may have completely missed the teaching point because he had no vested interest in the 'how'.
The thing that we don't see is Philip getting upset and stomping off because Jesus asked him a question. He doesn't throw his hands up in disgust because he is being challenged by authority, he doesn't make a scene, and Philip certainly doesn't try to feed the 5,000 on his own out of spite because he is being pressured. No, he answers. He answers honestly. He answers wrong. Then he sits back and watches (probably in amazement) as Jesus works a miracle, then he reaps the benefits with 12 baskets of leftovers.
Philip was respectful and stayed around for the party, he didn't get mad when Jesus challenged him, questioned him, and put him on the spot.
Philip made the right choice.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
MH Update 1-19-11 21:36
So the snow has added a unique twist to the first full week of Mission House. We had a nice evening scheduled tonight followed by a full day tomorrow of good time in the neighborhood with some high school aged kids but that has all been put on hold. We are expecting to get 10 inches of snow tonight. that is a ton of snow when we live in an area of town where they cannot bring snow plows down the streets. With that said our street is one of the heaviest foot-trafficed areas in our neighborhood so the boys and I will have a long morning of shoveling the sidewalks, that seems to be the best way to serve our neighbors in this climate.
Today was good up until the snow. We spent some time at Wyandotte High School where I am currently tutoring on a weekly basis. That was fun, Drew and Michael got to meet my friends from Kenya who I play soccer with after tutoring. I am thankful for the time I get at the high school, I usually am completely spent at the end of each tutoring session but it is so worth it.
Well off to watch the snow fall some more. If you have any suggestions of what three 20-somthings should do with our snow day tomorrow feel free to drop a note.
Today was good up until the snow. We spent some time at Wyandotte High School where I am currently tutoring on a weekly basis. That was fun, Drew and Michael got to meet my friends from Kenya who I play soccer with after tutoring. I am thankful for the time I get at the high school, I usually am completely spent at the end of each tutoring session but it is so worth it.
Well off to watch the snow fall some more. If you have any suggestions of what three 20-somthings should do with our snow day tomorrow feel free to drop a note.
John 5 -- My Complicated Life
John 5:39-40
39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
Why do I try to over complicate God? Why do I assume that God isn't quite big enough to deal with my junk; my past? When I am hanging and meeting with guys that I disciple I never doubt that God can work in their lives. On the other hand though, God completely forgiving me?... No way!
So as a natural response, I bury myself in the word, read a million books, go to church 12 times a week, and do kneeling meditative prayer (on one knee only, of course). Doing all of this in some wild attempt to create some spiritual high I can ride to the next crash that resembles a self-loathing, doubt-stricken drought that leads to an attempt to recreate the same story all over again.
What good does this depressing cyclical story do? None!
In a way (maybe not spot on with context but fairly close if not :)) I feel Jesus was implying this to the Jews in Jerusalem, "You keep trying to read your way to freedom and somehow you miss what that book is saying will set you free." -- God makes it easy for us... faith in Jesus. Faith that Jesus is Lord, that He is bigger than our problems, that He is greater than religion, that he is the answer to our disastrously cynical routine.
We fill ourselves, and our time with what we think will bring us closer to God and forget what God tells us will bring us closer to Him: Obedience that leads to faith in Jesus as our Lord.
39 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
Why do I try to over complicate God? Why do I assume that God isn't quite big enough to deal with my junk; my past? When I am hanging and meeting with guys that I disciple I never doubt that God can work in their lives. On the other hand though, God completely forgiving me?... No way!
So as a natural response, I bury myself in the word, read a million books, go to church 12 times a week, and do kneeling meditative prayer (on one knee only, of course). Doing all of this in some wild attempt to create some spiritual high I can ride to the next crash that resembles a self-loathing, doubt-stricken drought that leads to an attempt to recreate the same story all over again.
What good does this depressing cyclical story do? None!
In a way (maybe not spot on with context but fairly close if not :)) I feel Jesus was implying this to the Jews in Jerusalem, "You keep trying to read your way to freedom and somehow you miss what that book is saying will set you free." -- God makes it easy for us... faith in Jesus. Faith that Jesus is Lord, that He is bigger than our problems, that He is greater than religion, that he is the answer to our disastrously cynical routine.
We fill ourselves, and our time with what we think will bring us closer to God and forget what God tells us will bring us closer to Him: Obedience that leads to faith in Jesus as our Lord.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Mission House Update
So its mid afternoon and I have a couple minutes. We just returned from a full morning at 2 locations of Hillcrest Transitional Housing, they are doing some cool things to eradicate homelessness over there. Wow! This evening it is back to Mission Adelante for another evening of training tonight will specifically aid towards Bhutanese refugees. Then tomorrow we are in the school tutoring and hanging with the folks at the Urban Scholastic Center in the evening. The chaos continues like this for the rest of the week. Pray for strength. I love what is going on here it is so fun.
Peace
SAM
Peace
SAM
John 4:11
11 "Sir," the woman said (she is speaking to Jesus), "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?"
This statement is in response to an encounter that Jesus is having with a Samaritan woman and Jesus is asking her to draw water for him from a very deep well. A conversation ensues and Jesus explains that he is the "living water" and so this is where we enter with verse 11...
I feel like my natural response to Jesus on many occasions, especially the tough ones, looks much like the response that the Samaritan woman replies, "How can you do that, Jesus?" When I am uncomfortable, lazy, or inadequately believing I instinctively begin to fabricate faults in the Messiah to bandage the insecurities of my life.
I think if I was the Samaritan woman in this conversation the response would have read more like this, "Dude," the simple boy replied, "You are just a man with nothing. No tools to build something with, no magic wand to make 'living water' appear, no army to steal 'living water' resources, no factory to produce water with. How could you possibly be able to provide living water?"
My auto response is to always doubt Jesus and elevate myself and the reality is that the arrogance in that statement kills my convictions and deters from my perception of the enormity of the grace of God.
The irony of this passage is that the lady had a bucket to reach the bottom of the deep well with in her hand the whole time she was questioning Jesus' ability to draw the water.
This statement is in response to an encounter that Jesus is having with a Samaritan woman and Jesus is asking her to draw water for him from a very deep well. A conversation ensues and Jesus explains that he is the "living water" and so this is where we enter with verse 11...
I feel like my natural response to Jesus on many occasions, especially the tough ones, looks much like the response that the Samaritan woman replies, "How can you do that, Jesus?" When I am uncomfortable, lazy, or inadequately believing I instinctively begin to fabricate faults in the Messiah to bandage the insecurities of my life.
I think if I was the Samaritan woman in this conversation the response would have read more like this, "Dude," the simple boy replied, "You are just a man with nothing. No tools to build something with, no magic wand to make 'living water' appear, no army to steal 'living water' resources, no factory to produce water with. How could you possibly be able to provide living water?"
My auto response is to always doubt Jesus and elevate myself and the reality is that the arrogance in that statement kills my convictions and deters from my perception of the enormity of the grace of God.
The irony of this passage is that the lady had a bucket to reach the bottom of the deep well with in her hand the whole time she was questioning Jesus' ability to draw the water.
Mission House Day 3
So Mission House has officially begun. It is really pretty cool. This week is tough because there is a lot of introduction and training that goes on outside of the walls of Mission House that the interns have to be a part of, so the structure is a little less than I desire. Next week though we are in the saddle and fully serving in the community and then in February starting the teaching training so that will be awesome. Thank you all for your prayer and support it is so incredible.
SAM
SAM
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Christmas
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God proved his love with the birth and death of Jesus. His love is simple:us.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God proved his love with the birth and death of Jesus. His love is simple:us.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Mending broken bones.
Col 3: 15
15: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body we are called to peace. And be thankful.
I have wrestled with this question many times, "What would it look like if the Kingdom here on earth truly looked like one body?". If we truly acted as one body then what should our response be as the Church to yahoos that protest funerals, quit there jobs to stand in front of future sites of Muslim community centers, shoot abortion doctors in their own churches, or stand on college campuses and degrade: homosexuals, liberals, the Greek system, and the singing of the National Anthem at sporting events? I by no means have any answers here, I am just thinking out loud but it seems to me that when there is a part of our physical body that is broken we do what is necessary to fix it. Why don't we try to fix the parts of our Church Body that are broken? Why do I sit back as those people in my states capital defame the Man that I live my life for? We cannot tolerate Jesus being the copout to write off not-so-blind ignorance.
I want to be a part of a Body of Peace. I just wish I knew how to fix our broken Limbs peacefully.
15: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body we are called to peace. And be thankful.
I have wrestled with this question many times, "What would it look like if the Kingdom here on earth truly looked like one body?". If we truly acted as one body then what should our response be as the Church to yahoos that protest funerals, quit there jobs to stand in front of future sites of Muslim community centers, shoot abortion doctors in their own churches, or stand on college campuses and degrade: homosexuals, liberals, the Greek system, and the singing of the National Anthem at sporting events? I by no means have any answers here, I am just thinking out loud but it seems to me that when there is a part of our physical body that is broken we do what is necessary to fix it. Why don't we try to fix the parts of our Church Body that are broken? Why do I sit back as those people in my states capital defame the Man that I live my life for? We cannot tolerate Jesus being the copout to write off not-so-blind ignorance.
I want to be a part of a Body of Peace. I just wish I knew how to fix our broken Limbs peacefully.
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