It really is... Good News!

I love the community prayer group I belong to. The group itself was and is an answer to prayer as its members are like me. I actually "fit" in this group. My thoughts are not odd. What I am learning from God, about God and what God is sharing about what He is doing in the community isn't viewed as trivial, weird, outlandish and I'm not greeted with "eye rolls." We all want to live out our lives for God's purposes, His sovereign rule and kingdom. We all want to see our community released from the oppression it's under and move forward into living life... a life with God. We all want to have the "love God; love others" be a life of living action reflecting God's glory. We see this movement going beyond our community, state, region and country.

The group is keen on how to come along side people using languages that others can understand. Breaking down the barriers created by religion and church language or Christianese. We discuss and practice how to become disciple makers where we live life with people so they can see God and can follow Him in a way that matures their faith. As Christians, we're so good at converting people but then we just let them go after that. Sort of "catch & release" fishing rather than catch and keep. I believe Jesus is not a "catch & release" fisherman so why are we?

One of our members, Andy and his wife Suzanne, spend their lives living out disciple making. They are true come-along-siders in the most amazing way exuding patience, grace, love and genuine concern for those they mentor and do life with. In group, Andy says little but, when he speaks, it's worth writing down because he strips off all of Western Christianity and church traditions to get to the heart of the matter. I love it when Andy speaks because he shares how he talks with nonbelievers and those struggling with faith in Jesus Christ.  They don't talk in big Christianese to those they mentor and I love the way they use ordinary words to describe critical Christian doctrine.

The big word concepts that always irritate me are "sin" and "Gospel." How do you refer to "sin" in laymen terms using the words that will resonate with people giving them the Ah-ha! moment without turning them off? And what is "good news" these days anyway? The Gospel is translated literally into "good news" so if someone doesn't believe in "sin" or doesn't thinks he needs redemption, then how can the news of salvation be good?

Recently, Andy said something that is so simplistic, so targeted, so profound that I just love it. Since he uttered the words, I cannot stop thinking about his commentary. It's rhythmic in delivery so a person can easily remember it; a very rabbinical approach where rhythms were used to assist in memorizing God's Word. It's very today while also being accurately Biblical. It cuts through the misperceptions people have about God and the Trinity. It's laser perfect.

The good news is:

God is for you
God is with you
God is in you 

God is for you. He's not against you. He's not "out there" watching your every move to judge you, condemn you, punish you. He is on your side, the side of wanting to be a part of your life and you a part of His life. He won't hold your failures against you instead He wants to erase those failures off of your balance sheet of life. Think of it this way, if God is omniscient and knows that ultimately you will not choose Him and, if He really is watching your life to judge you, then why would He continue to bless you during your life? Why would He provide you with breath in your lungs, sun and rain, food and shelter, people assisting you? Wouldn't He simply know the outcome of your life and therefor orchestrate it to reflect your ultimate choice in Him? Instead He causes the sun to rise and the rain to fall on the good and the evil. He loves unconditionally, freely and generously. God is for you. (Matthew 5:43-48)

God is with you. He wanted to be with you so much that He became a human being named Jesus to live life just like the rest of us. He corrected our misinterpretations of what others said He is. He is concerned about the smallest detail as well as the biggest picture and goals. He is an involved parent, leader, friend, confidant and has not left us alone. We see this in faith history when God literally camped out with the Israelites for 40 years in the desert in the form of a pillar of smoke by day and pillar of fire by night. In that time, God provided daily food, protection, light, guidelines for community, direction to travel and stayed with the Israelites until He brought them to the land He promised their forefather Abraham. That time of history was: "I promised this to you. I want it for you. Even though your forefathers didn't step into the promise, didn't claim it themselves, I am going to ensure it is fulfilled and lead you there Myself." When Jesus physically walked the earth, He lived a life stripped of privilege and status so as not to give a misperception of who God is, what He wants for us and how He wants us to live. He spent most of His time clarifying the misunderstandings of men concerning God. ("You have heard it said but, I say... but the Kingdom is... but God...") And today, I cannot deny that God is with me as He continues to answer prayers that I only think to myself; prayers I don't even utter aloud. He continues to provide guidance in things from small decisions to big events providing solutions that only can be attributed to God. He continues to reveal and explain through others, Scripture, dreams - through the ordinary and the spectacular. He continues to fulfill the promises He made to me and our community. God is with me and with you. (Matthew 28:18-20)

God is in you. When we choose to accept that there is a God and that God wants us to live a life with Him, He deposits His Spirit in us. Now the Spirit begins to operate within you, sharing the knowledge of God, His guidance, correction, wisdom. This is why God knows my prayers without uttering them because His Spirit is within me. This is how God provides me correction when I go sideways and act in ways that do not reflect Him. In human terms, we think it's our conscience and our ability to know right from wrong. Our moral conscience. Created in His image, we all possess a conscience and some knowledge of right and wrong. However, when we accept Him as the One and Only God, He gives us a part of Him and His Spirit now lives with us and imparts to us more of God and who God is, allowing us to live a more fulfilling life. God is for you. God is with you. God is in you. (John 14:16-18)

Without throwing Bible verses at people. Without providing lengthy explanations of God, faith or Scripture to people who don't know God and are questioning the existence of a "higher being", you can just come along side someone and as the opportunities present themselves, you simply say, "God is for you." Later... "God is with you." And perhaps later, "God is in you." No need for anything more to be said; the seed is planted. Just like Andy's words rolled around in my head since he said them, the words will roll around in the minds and hearts of those we come along side.

When Chauncey, Lauren and Sarah were questioning the existence of God, I realized that the more I espoused about God, the more my explanations became sermons and commandments, the more I pushed them further from God which was just the opposite direction they each needed to go. Instead, God had me simply say at times of victory, accomplishment, small wins: "God is good." That's all. Nothing more. "God is good." In those three words I was saying, 1) there is a God, 2) He is a good God and wants the best for you, 3) He is with you, 4) He comes to your aid, 5) He loves you. Etc. One day, Chauncey called me on his car speaker phone, while driving home with his work team, after successfully delivering a presentation to his Board. He wanted to hear, and wanted those in the car to hear, "God is good." He was attributing his success to God's blessing and provision. Shortly after that time, Chauncey acknowledged that there is a God and that Jesus in fact was real, is real and paid the debt to God that Chauncey could not. In Christianese that is called salvation and it's a glorious thing. God is good.

Since that time, my family has become some of the best come-along-siders I know. They encourage me with their lives and I learn from them, too.

In the whole "love God; love others" life that we are called to live, it's important that we live out that faith in everyday and ordinary ways, not placing undue burdens on people setting expectations for them that we cannot meet; speaking in languages that are not valuable to them. Placing stumbling blocks before them so they cannot step towards God. Instead, we need to come along side our family, friends, neighbors and enemies living lives that are gracious, speaking words that are understandable. Helping them see God and know that God is for you, God with with you and God is in you. God is good.
 

Hawk Nelson "Drops in the Ocean"

Lecrae "We engage culture for Jesus"

Hey Jonah... What's the quality of your love?

Reflection on Matthew 4:17 through 7

Even in my rebellion to God, He wants the best for me. He wants His best for me. He continues to fulfill what He has planned for me; what He wants for me.

When I pray for my enemies, do I want the best for them? Do I petition God for Him to give His best to my enemies? Do I ask for His best to be given to my enemies or do I just throw up a quick prayer and check it off my list as acceptably praying for my enemies?

This is the quality of God's unconditional love towards me and others. This is the quality of love I am called to exhibit and live. This is what I should reflect on and see God challenging me in my heart and mind to live out. This is where my pride and selfishness need to give way to God's ability to leverage myself to assist others; to petition for them on their behalf.  Even if I dislike them. Even if I'm hurt by them or disappointed in them.

I, Jonah, am called to this life; this quality of unconditional love... for my heart to be aligned with God; to truly be His daughter.

I Am Jonah

The Struggle to Follow

Since God last spoke through Scripture concerning the vision for our community, I sat in the related Scripture for several months in 2014, especially through the really trying times as I tried to continually remind myself of God's promises. And I tried to pray for the people in the trials but, honestly, I wasn't feeling very willing. Finally, it was time to move from reading Psalm 118 and the accompanying Scripture. It was starting to make me anxious as I was struggling knowing that God said the trial I was in the midst of, would end soon but, His 'soon' and my 'soon' are two different time tables. Realizing that the vision was on God's timetable and in His control, I began to relinquish myself to the idea that 'soon' would come later rather than sooner.

That was difficult because resentment for the trial and those within the trial was beginning to take hold of me. I kept asking God to help me pray for those within the trial; asked Him how should I pray and confessed that I really didn't want to pray for them. To be brutally honest; those prayers were just lip service as deep down I wanted God to "toast" those opposing His plans and people. Yet, I knew God's heart. God loves those people who are in my trial as much as He loves me. He wants those people to be His people as much as He wanted me. The grace He extended me forgiving me for my sins against Him is the same grace He will extend to those within the trial. I knew I had to pray, must pray, am responsible to pray for them. The only consequence in my mind for following God's will by praying for these people is, in the act of praying for their lives to be saved, God would work a miracle in my heart and mind too. A miracle that would allow me to be more 'other centered' as Christ was other centered.

Shortly before Christmas, movement happened. The people in the trial began to publicly act poorly in a way that caused people to walk away from their zealousness. God brought new leadership to town. Movement forward began to happen. And He began to quietly speak again; how I needed a fresh time with God. However, consumed with the busy-ness of the holidays, work's daily grind through the process, and my glee for the misfortune of the people in the trial, I became a piece of dry toast. Thankfully, during Sunday church services, God always connects me to His heart and I am renewed again. However, I knew I was drifting from God just due to enduring the trial. I was spent and frankly, I wanted this predicted time to end 'soon.'

But, God is faithful or should we always say, thank God that He is faithful. Faithful to Himself, His promises and to us. He led me to Ezekiel recently even though Ezekiel 37 was part of the group of Scripture He used to convey His promised vision; I felt the need to read the entire book. God began to speak clearly again. While He was speaking through Ezekiel, it became evident that He is moving to fulfill His earlier promise concerning the community. It's time. And He also shared what would happen to those opposing His plans for our community. This is where my struggle has been.

While God has been sharing that He is concerned for me and everyone in the community; He will move now and His plans will happen rather quickly, I've been cheering for His revelation of what will happen to those opposing Him. Yet, this is wrong. Because by His grace, I'm on "His team." Rather than feeling a bit vindicated and gleeful that this trial and the tactics that have been used in the trial will end soon, I really should feel compassionate towards the opposition and praying for their eternal lives. Remember? God loves them too and He loves them as much as me. He's sad that people do not believe in Him. Sad that they choose a life without Him. Sad that they walk away from Him. Instead I should realize that my Heavenly Father is grieving over the children that don't choose Him. Instead I should extend them the very same grace He extended me. Instead I should tell them about our God and how great He is and how much He loves them and wants to live with them and have them with Him.

I've shared this struggle with my brothers and sisters in the faith, hoping they will pray with me so I in turn can pray for those opposing God in our community. I have been amazed when a few people have commented that I don't need to pray for these people because of how ugly and malicious they have been. Sometimes, I want to sit there with my friends' comments feeling justified to let happen what will happen. Yet, I know God's heart and I know that, "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) And that God desires mercy, not merely following religious rules. (Hosea 6:6, Matthew 9:13, 12:7) Heck, I even told one of the people in the trial that I was struggling with him because of his antics.

I need God. I need to turn around from my sinful thoughts of wanting to see their falling out of power. I need God to move my heart to truly be moved to pray earnestly for those who opposed Him and His lovely plans for our community. After all, everyone who is lost is the prodigal son and everyone saved becomes the older brother; the first son. What we must realize is, now that we are found, God will search for the others who are lost. Perhaps we should be the older son that Jesus Christ was and He went looking for the lost with His Father. Perhaps we are to remember that our now prodigal brothers and sisters are in the shoes we were in earlier in our lives. Perhaps we should extend them the same grace God extended us.

As God would have it, today at church Pastor Andy Stanley spoke very clearly about this very subject I am wrestling with... and people think God doesn't know our hearts. Well I can testify that He in fact knows our hearts better than we know ourselves. It's time... time for me to earnestly pray for others.

"Why in the World; Classless" by Andy Stanley

And on March 22, 2015, at Anthem Church, I heard Andy Stanley confirm again through another message:

"Why in the World: Putting Religion in its Place" by Andy Stanley