Robe-Grabbing Internationals

A couple of days ago I read the book of Zechariah. It had been awhile. Toward the beginning of the book, he has all kinds of visions of horns, flying scrolls, horsemen, measuring lines, high priest, lampstands, and all kinds of stuff. I don't pretend to know what all that is talking about, and that's not even what I want to talk about anyway.

So here it is. My favorite chapter in Zechariah (possibly due to themes N.T. Wright writes about so frequently) is chapter 8. This chapter anticipates the work God will be doing in Zion. If you read these texts you can see Jesus in them pretty clearly. Check some of these out:

- "I have returned to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem."

-"I will save my people from the east country and from the west country, and they shall be my people, and I shall be their God."

-"But now, I will no longer deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days...for there shall be a sowing of peace."

-"I have purposed to bring good to Zion"

-"The fast of the fourth month and the fast of the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace." (Remember when Jesus said, "how can you fast when the bridegroom is here?")

All these are descriptions of what those finals days should look like; when Jesus is king and his people live like it. However, perhaps the most striking image of a people living with God as their king is at the end of chapter 8.

" 20"Thus says the LORD of hosts: Peoples shall yet come, even the inhabitants of many cities. 21The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, 'Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD and to seek the LORD of hosts; I myself am going.' 22 Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD. 23Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'"

What a picture! People all across the world are begging to go with the people of God because what they have is so good. The way in which they are living is so attractive that people are grabbing onto their clothes and saying, "Take me with you–because we have heard that God is with you!"

Is the picture you get when you first think of the people of God today? Are people begging to be a part of what we are a part of? What if it was? What if instead of having all kinds of attractional outreach models like car shows, carnivals, giveaways, or whatever, that people were begging to come with us!? What if the way of life we lived among each other and those with whom we interacted was so contagious, so genuine, so real, that we didn't have to invite (dare I say beg) people to come to church?

I guess it just seems to me that we have diminished the glory, honor, celebration, and goodness of living under the kingship of God ruling through Christ Jesus. We've diminished it to doing the right thing and being a good person, which are good things to do but not quite the same picture of a crowd of people grabbing your shirt saying, "Take me to God! I've heard that He is with you!"

How do we do this? I don't know. I guess I have more questions than answers. A good place to start may be right here in Zechariah 8. Maybe we should truly celebrate that God has come. Truly rejoice that he doesn't deal with us in the way He once did, but there is a new way, a once for all way, where Jesus died, and was subsequently raised from the dead, bringing about vindication. I guess we would do well to "Speak the truth to one another; render in our gates judgments that are true and make for peace; not devising evil in our hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all those things the Lord hates," declares the Lord.

Maybe this picture is only that–a picture. Maybe it's not supposed to be literal, where the nations physically grab ahold of the people of God and ask to come with them. But what if it was? What if we can bring heaven to earth? What if the lives of God's people screamed, "Jesus is King," and it magnetically drew the world to God? What if?

Come to me, ALL...

This morning I read Matthew 11.28-30, a familiar passage to many Christians. It's the one where Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Now I've read this verse many times before, but this morning it really hit me again.

Recently, I've been talking to people who are hurting, and for a variety of reasons. Some are wearied because of something they are doing, or not doing for that matter. Others are weary because something is happening to them. Some are weary because someone else in their life has disappointed them, and they just don't know what to do. There are others that don't know they are burdened...they think they are doing fine because they read their Bible all the time, and have some sort of prayer life, and give a little money to the church. The problem is that they are doing those things out of selfishness–they want to impress men. They are burdened by their own holiness as they rely on what they do, instead of what Jesus has done.

There are so many that are weary and burdened. Some know it, others don't. Some are burdened by bad things, others by good things. It's been said that everyone is either in the midst of a trial, just getting out of one, or getting ready to enter one. Wherever you are today, realize that Jesus calls ALL to come to him. He will give ALL rest from whatever is holding them down.

I guess there are just two questions:

1. What wearies you? Something bad, from yourself, someone else, a good thing you do?

2. Do you trust that Jesus is powerful enough to relieve those burdens, both good and bad?

For those who care...or maybe just me.

Last night I was talking to a good friend about how I hadn't done this whole blog thing in awhile. She read a few of my posts last night; probably the first to do so in awhile. So if you're reading this again today Sasha, hope you enjoy it. Here goes.

A lot has happened since march 13th, 2009. It's been good for the most part. Among other things I travelled to four countries following in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul, learning from his life and ministry. It was a life changing experience to see the seven churches of Revelation, Walk the Egnatian way, visit actual places where we know Paul stood, and just to see amazing touristy kinds of things. And the food was great too! Coffee, Baklava, Gelato, just to name a few. The people on the trip were great as well. All ages, from all around the US, and a few who I became pretty good friends with, one especially, so that's really cool.

The summer has definitely began here in Loganville. Kids are out of school, swimming, playing paintball or whatever. We have already been to a CIY conference to try to avoid the football camps that start up later in the summer. The conference was both and encouragement and a challenge for all the students and the adults.

Lately, I've been enjoying afternoons at the pool, or a round of disc golf, or a good netflix movie, or picking up a classic book–The Princess Bride. The days are longer and it stays lighter later which I love. I love summer, only if we could somehow change the 85% humidity we have almost constantly.

Like always, there is a mix of really good stuff, and some not so good. Sometimes people, or situations just let you down. But usually, if you look for it, you'll see God at work in people's lives. I'm grateful to be a part of his service. I'm also very grateful for the relationships I have in my life both new and old. The relationships that remind you that that's what life is all about. A friend celebrated a birthday today, another celebrated an anniversary this week, my parents celebrated theirs last week. A mentor and friend is getting married this fall, and another just got married last weekend. I've really enjoyed catching up with the old friends and talking late into the night with the new.

Anyway, for those of you who care, and might read this, there you go. My thoughts in 10 minutes or so. If no one reads this, at least I enjoyed writing it and being reminded once again that life always has ups and downs, but life is good.

This last Wednesday night, the topic was the last of a series of questions that I was answering in youth group. The specific question was the most important of them all–Did Jesus really rise from the dead? I began the night by saying, "How you answer this question will affect every aspect of your life–how you spend your money, treat other people, vote, and so on." So I went through the talk and gave some reasons, historical probabilities that point to Jesus rising from the dead. Kids were a little crazy because it was the first week that it stayed lighter later and other stuff, but for the most part it was like any other week. Some good, some bad mixed in all together.

Afterwords though, I led one of the discussion groups. As I asked questions of some of the students, some of them didn't even know what the word resurrection meant, let alone have any idea for the implication on their lives. It hit me. It hit me hard. I grew up in a great family where we talked all the time about spiritual things and the story of Jesus. But these kids don't even know that they are lost. They have no clue about the good news of Jesus, but they don't even know that the life they are living can be so much better. They're just clueless. It's sad to me. But it reminds me of the enormous responsibility to tell truth about Christ. How do I convey a message to people who not only don't want it, but they don't know anything about it?

I'm just as bad as they are without Jesus, but I know what it is to live with him. I guess that's part of the answer. Just telling my story and letting the Spirit work. I need him now more than ever. I know I can't do it alone. I think people are convinced of truth in a rational way, but I know that something has to happen through the work of the Spirit. I can only pray that the Spirit will work.

Anyway, I'm just one ragamuffin who needs a whole lot of saving myself. Times like these remind me of that. Just because I know a message about Jesus does not make me a better person, it just makes me more fortunate. I have a responsibility to proclaim this message boldly and clearly as I should.

Seek to Understand...

This past week at Youth Group I did a special project. The previous four weeks we had listened to testimonies from several adults--we heard their stories. So last Wednesday I wanted to give the students an opportunity to tell their story. I gave them paper and pens and clipboards. I got about 30 responses from about 55 people, so it could have been better, but still I got to hear many of the stories.
It's amazing the kind of insight you can have about people when you simply ask...and mean it. Kids go through a lot these days, and often we don't know exactly where they are coming from. We get frustrated because they don't act like us, or they don't know all the rules. But our stories aren't their stories. The cool thing is that in everyone's story there is a place for Jesus. There is a need, some people have realized it and it has changed their life in an incredible way. Some have yet to realize it, and it is sad. These are some of the same kids who write about fellow teenagers, "they just want to fit in, or they are concerned about only today, or it hurts when people betray you." The answer to all of this is Jesus. He gives us meaning for today, but beyond today. He is there when we hurt, and when life is good to us.
Recently I've been thinking alot about the prayer from Francis of Assisi, "May I seek to understand, not to be understood." That is so profound, because we can't really tell people about Jesus very well without understanding them, and what they are going through. My hope is that by understanding just a little bit about this group of students I'll be able to be there for them and help them to see Jesus through all the confusion of the teenage years.
Two things: There are walls in peoples lives--walls of abuse, or broken homes, or bad teaching, or fitting in with contemporary culture. There is also incredible immaturity. My prayer and hope is that both issues would dissolve. That God would break down walls, and that he would also whisper softly into the ears of those who would listen and draw them closer to him along this lifelong journey of discipleship.
So after a long entry of several scattered tangents, my biggest hope is that God would continue to help me understand: to understand people's stories, to understand how incredible his love still is, even after I've heard, "God loves you" a million times. I want to understand so I can communicate clearly and boldly as I should.

Transition Sunday

I am currently sitting in my office here at Corinth Christian Church, about 45 minutes before the big transition from Don Hardison to Adam Turner as Senior minister of our church. Adam will actually be called the preaching minister I think, but whatever. It's a big day with people buzzing around like crazy and I'm sure emotions are all over the map. Many are ready for this day, and have been ready, not because the don't like Don, but just because they are excited for the future here.
There is going to be an actual torch that is passed, special music, a meal afterward. Quite a production. But what would you expect after on man served a church for 42 years. A Wonderful testimony of faithfulness. I'm glad to be able to be a part of it.
Now the time ahead approaches. How will we as Corinth Christian Church go into this new time ahead? How will we still affect our community? How will we grow, both numerically and spiritually and relationally with each other. Only time will tell, but we as the leaders are confident that God has amazing stuff in store for us here. We only need to be faithful. Well, I better sign off so I can go be a part of everything going on. Until next time...

Update 11.20.08

Well it's been awhile and I just decided that I should write a little bit. Things that have happened lately include:
getting pantry stocked by a clergy appreciation dinner
looking forward to having my family coming to my house for Thanksgiving
Drinking americanos at Starbucks
playing Fifa '08
trying to figure out junior high schoolers
proceeding on my car situation.

Last week I went the Athens GA to scope out the town a little bit. I'm going to take my family there when they come. I'm also going to Longhorn steakhouse tonight. It should be relatively incredible. Other than that, I just continue to plug away, trying to learn the best I can how to be a good youth minister. Enough for now. I'll talk to ya later...