World of Change

It is funny how quickly things change. Over the past month, I have planned a wedding...Actually Kristina planned most of it, went out for a job interview in HOT Arizona, and am leaving a ministry in which I couldn't be more proud of where we took it. Actually that is the last few weeks.

The last couple days have left me thinking of the pain of not seeing life go the I had planned. 3 years ago I left a good ministry job to plant a church that never happened. The last three years have left me dealing with the pain of what I saw, and maybe at times, still see as failure. When I arrived in Arizona, I was hit with the reality of the situation. There was no a good possibility (or opportunity) to get back into ministry. I found myself afraid...Afraid that there was the possibility of that I would have to take a step of faith that could lead me down the wrong road. Contemplating this reality over the last few days have brought me to a point, where I see that it is my fear that is holding me back. My fear is getting in the way of me taking hold of my call to be a pastor.

This realization leaves me with a restored confidence and faith that maybe I need to walk away from my fear and trust that where I am is where God will want me to be. That even if I don't make the perfect choice, I can make a good choice leading me to a place where God can use me to bring glory to his kingdom, allowing his will to be done through my life.

These last few weeks have also seen more of a transformation in my ministry philosophy. I want to be apart of a ministry where I can teach others to radically love their community and take responsibility for their world. Part of the problem is learning how to do this better myself. A large part of me can't wait to get settle in the next phase of my life so that I can begin to practice some of this radical love within a community, or city, where I know I will be for a while. As for now maybe God will let me take some small steps in this area so that I can be prepared for what is next. For more on this read "The Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne

John with New Eyes

I have been reading through the book of John this last week...It amazes me the different faces scripture has when we change the lighting around it. This time through I am focusing on Jesus the Rabbi, upon reading Velvet Elvis and listening to some teaching on Jesus the Rabbi. As I read through chapter 4, the woman at that well. I realized for the first time that the disciples did not make any comments or question Jesus as he was talking to this outcast woman. Instead, I picture them as talmidim...listening and learning from their Rabbi. Following without question to be the one covered in the most dust of their Rabbi.

How many times do we just take for granted the stories of Scripture? We read through them so many times and we find that we never change the light. Scripture then becomes stale and dry. But to change the light just a little, to be challenged by a new idea and then to see things just a little differently can move you forward when you have felt stuck for sometime.

Find a way to change the light...then open up the story of Jesus and be renewed.

Velvet Elvis

I just got done reading through Rob Bell's book, Velvet Elvis. Got to get it. It left me with a thought in my own life...how am I doing? Am I living the type of life that a "talmidim"? As a disciple, am I covered in the "dust of my rabbi"? Upon reflection, I am falling short. My rabbi expects more from me than just to believe.

Recently I was challenged to read more about my rabbi. To begin to engross myself in the teachings and life of my rabbi. If Jesus is my rabbi, then I must do everything in my power to learn about my rabbi. Peter, James, John and the rest had it easy so to speak. Think about it they got to go everywhere with Jesus...they watched him...they ate with him...they heard him...they lived with him. The best any of us can now do is to absorb the life of Jesus in the writings we are blessed to have. I would like to say that I have been doing a good job with studying my rabbi. The good thing is there is still time.

Getting Started

Finally a place to put my thoughts!