Stewart 5

I’m learning to live better in the time/space between… aka “now.”  This is a strange place for me.  I tend to clarify and plan for what is ahead, then move toward that.  “Without a vision, the people perish.”  Generally, this is an acceptable practice.  However, I find that I can be too focused on what lies ahead, ignoring or minimizing the present (especially when it doesn’t fit with the future I see).  Further, it is easy for people to become secondary to plans.  Never my intention, but too common when I get so focused on the future that  achieving it becomes my only aim.

Part of what makes my sabbatical so good for me is the necessity to live in the now.  Yes, this time will end and we will move into the next season soon enough.  And yes, we will have to do certain things – even make a few plans – to begin the next adventure.  But for now, I am living where I am.  Spending lots of times with my wife and kids.  Seeing friends.  Reading.  Resting.  Getting caught up.  I believe all this and more will indeed prepare me for what’s next.  But I’m not doing all this SIMPLY TO GET READY, as if this is only a means to an end.  It is all good for what it is.

Hear me – I’m not just biding my time or waiting until something better comes along.  I am enjoying each day for what it is.  True, it’s not my dream place or situation.  But there is so much I CAN enjoy.  I am reminded of when Jesus ascended to heaven in Acts 1 and his disciples were looking into the sky where he had disappeared.  Two men in white (angels?) appeared to them and said, “men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky?”  In other words, get on with life.  Not because Jesus isn’t coming back.  He is.  But there’s a lot of life to be had in the meantime.  Don’t just wait around for the future to arrive.

Every day matters:

• a habit can change
• a word can lift someone’s spirits
• an accident can be prevented
• something big can be accomplished
• decisions can be made that affect everything else
• a million moments take place that will never come again

God wants us to live now.  Yes, there’s forever too.  But it doesn’t start when we die.  It’s starts now.

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Was part of a great book discussion today on David Bosh’s crazy-good, often referred to, yet under appreciated Transforming Mission.  Bosch’s book is one of those that for some reason I have never got around to reading – until now.  So glad I am.  Beyond the reading, the discussions look like they will be both fun and challenging.  It’s nice to talk with a bunch of people who have hearts that resonate, and “get” one another.  So, we can dive deeper than just discussing theological/philosophical concepts to why and how it matters for our lives.  I think that just maybe we will find some ways to put parts into practice together as well.   Tom, Cobus, and Chris have written about this conversation/their thoughts.  I am sure that   Sure Joe will as well (especially since I just called him out).

So much that I would like to comment on, but I’ll save for other posts.  For now, maybe just a quote from the end of the chapter we were discussing.  I didn’t get a chance to say anything in our group, so here’s my chance…

In discussing the ways in which the early church participated in living signs of the Kingdom, Bosch maintains that they did so in a manner consistent with Jesus.  However, they failed in at least 3 ways.  First, the early church too quickly established what separated themselves from others rather than their calling and responsibility toward these others.  Second, the movement turned into an institution.  Third, the growing church marginalized the Jews (those from whom they were birthed).  Those of you who have studied organizations know that these are pretty common in the life cycle of any movement.  We always wonder how to influence the process so that institutionalization/fossilization doesn’t take place in some inevitable fashion.  I would dare say that this has happened with the emerging church in the USA (but Tony, I think you have wisely and subversively multiplied influence by deconstruction, perhaps preempting the process? – yet another blog post I should write).

Then Bosch throws in this little nugget that has left me thinking a lot: “Very few people can be both at the periphery and at the center at the same time.  And even if they do manage that, they usually do so only for a very short while” (52).  Crap!  We’re trying so hard to be a church for all people.  A place where homeless and affluent rub shoulders, where radical discipleship is the norm, not the exception.  Are you saying we can’t live on the edge and in the middle of society?

Bosch is right, I think.  All my years (oh so many years, at that) seem to point that way.  You choose to live on the edge or at the center.  Lots of young, excited, or naive people get started on the fringes.  What usually happens over time?  They get sucked toward the middle.  They become jaded, disenchanted, tired of fighting the system, or just plain selfish.  The middle has a strong pull, doesn’t it?  But I repeat: YOU CAN CHOOSE TO LIVE ON THE EDGE OR AT THE CENTER.

The edge is scary, risky, exciting, unknown, and the place of miracles because God is needed.  It’’s real reality, the “thin place” where heaven and earth come close together.  It’s the place of angels and demons.  It’s where we see God’s Kingdom coming.  It’s where I want to be.  If I must choose between the periphery and center, I choose the edge.

I choose the edge.

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any religion/faith/philosophy that doesn’t offer actual and significant change for the present life isn’t worth much.  I’m not saying that eternity isn’t important (it’s a pretty long time, after all), but I’m not willing to put up with a boring, miserable, meaningless life in the meantime.  Think about it – how great can your offer be if it only has power for the AFTER-life?

Jesus offers full life – NOW.  May we all experience the rich and wonderful life God desires for us every day.

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Tonight, we worshiped with people from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Unites States, and Canada. Our focus was on God’s Kingdom – sharing pictures, scripture, and song. In a very real sense, our time together was indeed a manifestation of God’s ways in action. It was beautiful.

One of the women from Zimbabwe prayed thanking God that we could gather in safety tonight – something that most of us take for granted.

I am reminded of how Jesus is the one who died to make us all free. May we remember him today as we celebrate our freedom.

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I’ve just come across the NET Bible translation.  Wondering if anyone has read/used this one and could offer some thoughts?  I like the idea of an open and free Bible translation.

It is mentioned and used in the Breviary (book of prayer) of Missio Dei – a missional, neo-monastic community I resonate with.  Amongst other things, they have the Jesus Manifesto site, probably one of my favorite daily reads right now.  I’ve just received the Breviary and am thinking of using it for morning and evening prayers.

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God, may you pour out your Spirit today in Zimbabwe like you did in Jerusalem all those years ago.

Freedom.  Power.  Fire.  Wind.  Gospel in every tongue. Kingdom coming.

We are your witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

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Would love for all of you to consider this – great opportunity to seek God’s Kingdom.  Please pass on the info as well…

The Pentecost Project is an experiment towards a more true and loving economy. Recently, the U.S. Congress passed an economic stimulus package that the President then signed. Beginning in May, most Americans will receive a rebate check that they are being encouraged to go out and spend in order to stimulate America’s sagging economy.

What if, instead of becoming greater consumers, we encouraged people to move towards an even better economy, an economy of abundance? What if, instead of accumulating more stuff, we encouraged people to give things away? What if, instead of the possibility of making a down payment and opening new credit, we encouraged people to pay down their debt?

Why the connection to Pentecost? On the day of Pentecost, after the Spirit descended on the apostles, and after Peter’s fiery preaching and the conversion of 3,000 people from all nations and races, the book of Acts goes on to tell us,

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42-47, NIV)

Later, in the 4th chapter, we learn,

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. (Acts 4:32-35, NIV)

In this Spirit, we undertake the Pentecost Project: invest in others, share possessions, reduce debt.

http://pentecostproject.wordpress.com/

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If you were to stop and REALLY think, how would you describe the Good News? What is it? What is it meant to accomplish? How? Try to move beyond the assumed Sunday school answers if possible.

I asked this question at a workshop I lead at the Amahoro conference last year. Would love to hear your ideas. Then, scroll down and I’ll give you Scot McKnights definition from Embracing Grace.

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The gospel is the work of God to restore humans to union with God and communion with others, in the context of community, for the good of others and the world.

McKnight explains and defines this throughout the bulk of his book (which I plan to write a few more posts on). How does that compare to your thoughts?

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Scot McKnight is starting a series on the relationship between the Kingdom of God and the Church.

I recommend you follow it.  Don’t know what he will say.  Don’t know if I will agree.  But this is a subject of extreme interest to me.  I am sure Scot will give it a good, round, historical treatment.  I would also guess it will be informative and inspiring.  Would love to heart what you think if you follow along too.

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