Learning to Trust in a Culture of Fear

I'm reading the Gospel of John, trying to slow down and understand the nuances in each circumstance.  Today, the word "believed" stood out...the word in the original Greek text is pistis, sometimes translated as believed, sometimes faith, however it's built on a foundation of trust.  

As I prepare for the day, I think about the people I've met whose life circumstances have taught them that it's every man for themselves.  It makes me wonder...

...how does someone learn to trust 

when everything they've experienced is based in fear?

Trust takes time to develop.  It takes consistency in the course of a relationship.  People often need to be reminded of how trustworthy the Lord is.  

The Lord is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.  PSALM 145:13

A person's life circumstances shapes how they understand God, his grace or judgment, his trustworthiness...His goodness.  People have a lot of questions...  I had (and still have) a lot of questions.  I don't have it all figured out, however I appreciate how each day the Lord prepares me to help others through the circumstances of my own journey.   

We will not hide them from their children;
    we will tell the next generation
  the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
    his power, and the wonders he has done.
                                                            PSALM 78:4

Mission, Jesus style encourages us to spend time each day focusing on the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, so that we can encourage others to trust Him.

A Missed Opportuity

Instead of worshiping with only one congregation, my role as an area-wide ministry leader takes me to each of the area churches.  Yesterday I had a 40 minute drive to the church where I worshiped and heard an interesting story on the radio.

During her prayers one evening, a young woman was lamenting to God about the awful meeting she had been in during the day.  She complained that the people were mean, the process was unproductive and there wasn't any love in the room...she couldn't wait to get out of there.  She asked, why people had to be that way, and why there wasn't any love in the room?  She sensed the Lord saying to her:

"You were there.  You were supposed to bring the love."

How often do we wonder where the Lord is in the midst of something, and maybe like this young woman can't wait to get out of the situation because of the harsh environment, only to realize (or not even be aware) that we were the one who was supposed to "bring the love?"  These are missed opportunities.  After the fact, I realized that I missed an opportunity yesterday.

During worship there seemed to be a person that didn't quite fit, but since I'm not in each congregation each week, there are a lot of details that I'm just not aware of.  After worship, it seemed that this man was seeking assistance and I observed one person hand him something, but I did not see what it was.  As I was going about my business this man approached me stating that he just needed $5 more dollars to get a prescription filled.  

Now the dilemma...in Life Isn't Fair I wrestled with this...here it is again standing next to me instead of outside my car at an intersection.  I wasn't prepared.  The questions in my mind raced.  I had just spoken during worship about bringing God to people and people to God.  It didn't seem right not to help him...how would that reflect on what I just said?   ...how would it reflect on God?

The uncomfortable moment seemed to hang for a long time...

How do I handle this?

It wasn't until my drive home that I realized my response may not really been God pleasing.  At the moment he approached me, I was in the midst of a conversation with another person from the church.  In that moment I had choices to make - - to help this man or not.  I replied, "sure, I can help you," as I opened my wallet and gave him what he asked for.  He said thank you and went on his way.  In my heart I prayed, "Lord, I trust you to do what is needed." 

Then...during my drive home, reflecting and praying, I had the distinct sense that I had missed an opportunity!  Then, it was as if the Lord said:

"You were supposed to bring the love!"

While I gave this man what he said he needed, I failed to truly bring care and compassion into the situation.  I missed an opportunity for serving this man by caring.  I didn't say it in this way, but in my discomfort, it's as if I handed him the money and said, "now be on your way."  

Instead, I could have taken the time to speak with him a few minutes, to learn his cares and pray for him, communicating how valued and loved he is by the Lord.  This interaction taught me a valuable lesson...take time to care...in this way we always bring the love!

A Different Way of Thinking

As I read the Gospels and consider the ways in which Jesus taught his disciples, He focused on how to live in the Kingdom of God.  The words repeat over and over...

"the kingdom of God is like..."

It makes we wonder...in what ways have we reduced Jesus' way to tenets of faith?  In what ways has a living relationship with Jesus become an opinion, or doctrines, or principles?  Not to say that doctrines are not important, but doctrines don't replace relationship.  Jesus uses this phrase several times in the Gospel of Matthew and Luke:   

"...the kingdom of God is near."

I wonder... in what ways am I living in the ways of God's kingdom, in what ways am I close and yet not truly understanding, and in what ways am I missing the point altogether?  It's a daily journey of learning to live in the kingdom, as life on mission, Jesus style. 

The disciples called Jesus rabbi, teacher.  Jesus asked them to follow him, and they did.  As they followed, He taught them and they learned the ways of the Kingdom.  I'm comforted that they must have been just as confused as I am at times because they asked lots of questions!  The Lord was gentle to remind them that His ways are different.

 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,"
      declares the LORD.

  "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.
                                                                                      ISAIAH 55:8-9

This morning I am recalling the first ten years or so of my story, as I learned to know, to trust and to live life as a journey of faith with Jesus...not just faith in Jesus, or for Jesus, but with Jesus.  Many things just didn't make sense at first, but over and over, the Lord kept saying something like this:

  "I have loved you with an everlasting love;
    I have drawn you with loving-kindness.
                                                                                         Jeremiah 31:3

My mind is always asking, "What's the point?"

For the first many years, one of my consistent prayers was for the Lord to help me understand what He was trying to teach me in the Scriptures.  Over issue after issue I would say, "Lord, this not the way I ever thought before.  If you want me to understand, please teach me."  Probably, the underlying question was, "What's the point?"  Today, I am thankful for that persistent prayer!

I've come to believe that the point is love!  

Love has a dynamic all its own... it can't be mandated, demanded, or forced.  Love is extended and invites love in return.  Love happens in the dynamic of a relationship.  I enjoy the people I love. There is something about their being that resonates with mine; it's a dynamic give and take.

I'm learning to live life with Jesus, on His mission, in His style, as the Lord is inviting humanity back into a loving relationship with Him, the one that created us.  The best way to learn to ways of the Kingdom is to spend time in the Word of God.  When there is something that you don't understand, begin by praying, simply asking the Lord all the questions that are in your heart.  He is always faithful to answer!

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. JEREMIAH 29:11-13

In the Course of the Day

When I served as the Director of Outreach in a church, I believed that no one should feel like a stranger the second time they came.  I also go about my daily routine with the same idea in mind.  In the morning, I'm wondering who I will meet and ask the Lord to prepare me to care about each one.  It could be someone I sit next to in a waiting room, a clerk in a store, a server in a restaurant, a parent in a school...the list is endless.  I've learned to seek opportunities, not force them.  

Mission, Jesus style is about helping someone move from being a stranger to being a friend.  We don't usually think about making friends as a project or an event; we make friends as we go about our lives, discovering people who become our friends along the way.  I think about sharing God's grace in this way.  

Jesus didn't force those He invited to follow Him.  He interacted with many, however He was looking for Persons of Peace.  The three posts on this topic earlier in the month will be helpful.  We don't have to force someone to believe, or impose a belief upon them.  Although, if we never give them an invitation, we may have missed a God-ordained opportunity.

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  MATTHEW 28:18-20

As you go...  In your going...  During the course of your day...

Make disciples

Friendship usually begins by welcoming someone into our lives. Being reflections of God's grace encourages us to be attuned to the concerns of others.  


Be observant and listen.  
Tune your mind to discover ways, large and small, to care about the person in front of you.



Yesterday, I was in the post office buying stamps and sending out a stack of 28 larger envelopes that required an odd amount of postage.  The postal worker tackled the task by individually printing a postage sticker for each one, which took a bit of time.  Learn to seize the opportunity.

Start a conversation.  
Find a topic that has a gospel orientation and open up conversation.

When he apologized for the transaction taking so long, I merely said "no problem, I'm patient." That four-word statement opened up a wonderful conversation!  I was able to share how God has been teaching me patience and how patient the Lord is.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 
2 PETER 3:9

The person or the circumstance will help you know how best to proceed.  Be willing to take the first small step.  Grow in your ability to talk about spiritual things.  The more you practice, the easier it gets.

As you go...  In your going...  During the course of your day...

Make disciples

Like a Whining Dog

This morning I awoke just before the dawn.  The birds had started singing and the rising sun had not yet begun to brighten the dark sky.  It's my favorite time of the day!  The house is still quiet and distractions are usually at a minimum...well almost...  

The moment there is movement in the house, our 16 month old Labrador, Fred, wants in on the action.  He ate his morning meal with gusto (an hour earlier than usual), finished his outside routine, and is now back inside full of energy and ready to greet everyone in the house, but they are still sleeping.  

With a hot cup of coffee and my Bible, I started my day with the Lord...but then there was Fred.  He wanted attention.  He was irritated that everyone else was still sleeping.  I snuggled and played with him and he finally laid down and began to settle in.

Then the whining began...

Do you see the look?

The look that says "I know I'm here with you, but I really want to be with the other people in the house, so I'll lay down here and stay with you, but while I do, I'm going to whine about it."

Here he was with me!  I fed him, took care of his morning routine, gave him lots of lovin...but he wasn't satisfied to settle in with me, he wanted the attention of everyone else in the house.

Then it hit me...how often am I like that whining dog in my relationship with the Lord?  

Abide in Me, and I in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; unless it abides in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in me.  JOHN 15:4

Abide!

Mission, Jesus style calls us to abide in Him.  Abide.  It's not a word we use frequently in our hurried, 24/7, on to the next thing, instant gratification society.  

Abide.  It's a primary verb meaning "to stay."  The concept of abiding is in a given place, state, relation, or expectancy, as we continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, and tarry.

In this moment the Lord has given me a constant reminder to abide in Him through my dog!  If you've ever trained a dog, sit and stay are important behaviors to learn.   Sit is usually not difficult to teach, but stay?  That requires a lot of conditioning!

Mission, Jesus style calls us to Abide!  Today I give thanks for a whining dog that brought deeper understanding and a good visual illustration that calls me back.  

...find a place to be present with the Lord

...be there with Expectancy 

...tarry

We're in the process of teaching Fred to stay (I write with a grin).  This morning the Lord is reminding me of the same.  Sit and stay... and stop that whining!  "Abide in Me." 

Life isn't Fair!

Do matters of fairness tug at your heart?  

...it's not fair when a wonderful person is struck with an awful disease...

...it's not fair when one person is born into poverty and another into wealth...

...it's not fair when people who don't act with integrity and yet seem to get ahead...

The list goes on and on...  The issues at times are very subtle, and at other times overt!  Somehow I have the sense of being cheated when I, or another person, doesn't get their fair share, or their fair due!   Anyways, who gets to decide?   

From www.mimiandeunice.com 

The line moves, so where is the real measure of fairness?  Does fair mean equal?  Does fairness get measured on what someone receives, or upon the outcome achieved?  The matter can get quite confusing!!!

Fairness compounds and gets worse!  I've learned that matters of fairness begin to invite questions of greed...and entitlement...   Questions like...did I get enough?  ...move to could I have gotten more?

Maybe, just maybe, that's a wrong question!

Mission, Jesus style teaches that we were called to more than fairness; we were called to freedom.  Freedom to love one another unconditionally and not bound up in worry over matters of fairness and greed.  Mission, Jesus style helps us to know that because of the brokenness in this world, caused by sin, life is no longer fair.  

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.  GALATIANS 5:13-15

God is teaching me to trust in His provision, knowing there will always be enough, and learning to live with an open hand.  It challenges me every day!  I think I understand, and then it sneaks up on me in unexpected ways.

One of these ways is through my work in urban ministry, which takes me all around the Baltimore area.  Often times there are people asking for a handout of some sort (money, food, work, etc...) at various intersections.  Are the questions that flood through your mind the same as mine?

• are their intentions honest?
• am I supposed to help everyone?
• how much should I give?
• along with a prayer that the light will turn before they approach my car!

God is trying to teach me something through these all too frequent experiences.  I don't have it figured out, however I know He's calling me to live it out as mission, Jesus style, to serve one another in love, to not use my freedom to indulge my sinful nature.  It's a process in motion!

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  1 PETER 4:8

I give thanks that God acts with more than fairness, He acts in grace!  

In the Gap

As I consider many conversations about faith over the years, they've given me perspective and helped me appreciate the variety of questions, doubts and misunderstandings that people have.  In the U.S. we live in a culture that wants to understand and be able to explain everything.  Some things are just beyond human explanation.  Faith is one of those things!

I'm a visual processor.  If I can make a picture out of a concept, I can usually grasp it.  But faith doesn't really seem to work that way.  As I search for images of "faith," the results return images of words like:

believe - - hope  - - trust 

The primary definition of faith in the Merriam Webster dictionary states 1) an allegiance or duty to a person, fidelity to one's promises, and sincere intentions.  It begs questions about the person, their promises and their sincerity.


I think of phrases like "a leap of faith."  

To take that leap, I need to believe I can get to the other side.  


The bible defines faith this way:

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  

HEBREWS 11:1

Faith is in the gap!

Mission, Jesus style invites people to a journey of discovery.   How can someone have faith, and be certain of what they do not see, when they don't yet know the person in whom their faith is to be put?  The Lord says "get to know me."  

 I love those who love me,

    and those who seek me find me.

PROVERBS 8:17

In my early journey to faith, I didn't come hostile, but I certainly came ignorant!  Bit by bit I came to know the personal nature of God and the love He has for all humanity.  As I got to know Him, trust grew.  My faith grew as my seemingly endless list questions were patiently answered.

I still don't truly understand faith, for if I truly understood it, it would not be faith.  Faith stands in the gap - - between what we can absolutely prove as fact in human terms - - and what the writer of Hebrews says is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Faith comes through grace!  Grace is the gift of God to you and me!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.  EPHESIANS 2:8-9

Mission, Jesus style invites people to seek, to ask questions, to be bold about their doubt.  He calls me to know him deeply through his word and then, to help others to know Him.  I can't outsource my relationship with Him!  My relationship only grows by spending time in His Word and nurturing my ability to understand His promises, know His faithfulness, and trust that what He says is true and trustworthy.  

When faith is personal, when you're certain that God is sincere and trustworthy, you will be able to give the reason for the hope that you have.  

Delight Yourself

As I let God's Word sink into my being, often one particular word will draw me in.  In these moments I've learned not to rush...I've learned to linger there and enjoy what the Lord will teach me.  There's a sense of the Lord asking me to truly grasp the depth of what he is saying.

When I read the Gospels I'm always struck by how much time Jesus spends in prayer.  True God, and true man spending time with the Father...seeking his will in this challenging world.  

Mission, Jesus style teaches us to stay closely connected to the Father ...listening  ...understanding ...and allowing it to sink in deeply.

Delight yourself in the LORD

    and he will give you the desires of your heart.  PSALM 37:4

Delight...  It brings to mind enjoyment and a high degree of satisfaction.  

My mind trails to delightful, something that is highly pleasing.

Heavenly Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe

I fell in love with skiing in my teens.  There is something about the beauty of the mountains, the purity of white snow that blankets the earth, the crispness of the air, and a feeling of being enveloped by a peaceful quietness as the snow absorbs extraneous sound.  Standing at the top of a slope and taking in the majesty of God's creation is truly a delight!

Today I'm drawn to understand more, so I linger and seek to understand why this word is speaking to me.  

The original Hebrew definition brings a deeper understanding

...delight yourself...to be soft or pliable.

As I am delighting, becoming soft and pliable and letting the Lord, His Word and his ways sink in, allowing Him to mold and shape shape me...His desires become mine!  

...featherweight...the challenges of life don't drag me down 

...unbreakable...I will not be broken by the burdens of this life because the Lord is sustaining me each day and has captured my heart for all eternity!




When asked "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to?" Jesus responded, "It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."  LUKE 13:21

Will I linger and allow these words, "delight yourself," to sink in?  

Mission, Jesus style is calls me to prepare for work in the kingdom of God.  In what ways am I being soft and pliable before the Lord to let his Spirit work into me, like a batch of dough...heart, mind, body, and soul?  God wants His word to work into all of me, shaping me for His redemptive work in the world.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.  ROMANS 12:2

Learn to linger!

A Journey Towards Neighboring

I recently finished reading The Art of Neighboring.  One of the authors, Jay Pathak shares his journey of discovering how to be a good neighbor.  It began as he invited people to join a cookout, relationships were established and opportunities to share the love of God through Jesus began to open up.

Jay says ; "What if every person who takes Jesus seriously would start with their neighbors?"  While I can complete some elements in the diagram he describes, I cannot complete everything.  I know everyone's name and an attribute about them, but I could not complete the last element to know the deep dreams of each one's lives. I know a couple, but certainly not for all eight.  I am convicted. 

One neighbor, that I know well, finds it humorous as we all come out of our homes like moles out of the underground tunnels each spring.  In the spring and summer, when the weather is nice, we greet each other, share pleasantries and catch up on what the kids are doing, but how frequently do we share about the things that matter for eternity?  In what ways have I helped each one to experience the love of God?

I've had my church friends into my home for meals, fellowship, the study of God's word, prayer and fun.  In all of this I have neglected my neighbors!  

The people I live closest to in proximity are not necessarily those I most effectively share the love of God.  These are households that surround my home, and can I say that we truly know each other?  As I write, I'm reminded of the diagram from post a few days ago on Compassion.  My neighbors would probably describe me as friendly and nice, maybe even kind, but there are only a couple that would know me as compassionate.  If it comes right down to it, I feel like I've failed at being the kind of neighbor that mission, Jesus style would promote.  

I continue to learn, confess my failings, and seek to do better.  Will you join me?

Tender Mercy

The sermon at my church this past Sunday was on the Parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10:25-37.  In this parable, Jesus is making it clear what it means to "Love your neighbor as yourself."  The parable concludes:

"So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?  He who showed mercy on him."  Then Jesus said to him, "go and do likewise."
Luke 10:36-37

Mercy   -  -    Compassion

These words have been ringing in my mind for the last four days.  Compassion can take many forms and a variety of visual images come to mind, but probably more than anything it communicates that someone truly cares.

The more I consider how to live this out, the more I realize that acting compassionately does not mean taking someone's pain away.  Compassion steps alongside, doing what can be done, but most importantly, stays with someone in the midst of of the challenges.  

Compassion seems to say " In whatever ways it is possible, I will try to ease your burden, but regardless of what happens, I'll be with you."



I am overwhelmed at the beauty of how this description provides a better understanding of Jesus.  He steps into the brokenness of this messy and painful world, and though he is not able to remove all the consequences of sin we experience in this life, he is right there with us to ease the burden.

Mission, Jesus style did exactly that.  He came and lived alongside us in the mess.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.  JOHN 1:14


He promised us that being in relationship with Him would bring us peace, regardless of what is happening.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."  JOHN 16:33

Being with people in grief ministry has taught me valuable lessons.  I cannot take away someone else's pain, I can't solve their problems, however being there with a caring and understanding heart, that says, "I acknowledge your pain and will be with you in it," has brought comfort to so many.  

One person said:

burdens shared are cut in half and joy shared in doubled

Mission, Jesus style sends me out to be compassionate.  He's teaching us who have received His mercy to be merciful to others. 

Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: `I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."  MATTHEW 9:13

One morning while serving in a compassion center, I met a woman who had spent much of her life in the midst of addiction and homelessness.  She stood about 5 feet 11 inches, but could not have weighed much more than 100 pounds.  She was literally skin and bones.  She had come in for some clothing and some food to help her get by for a few days.  As we talked, she shared the trials of her life, having lost a husband to drugs and a child to a traffic accident and the challenges of living on the streets.  She expressed thankfulness over the blessing of now having a small apartment to live in.

We must have talked for at least an hour as she shared her burdens with me.  I held her hands and we prayed...she cried...then she looked at me and said "thank you for treating me like a human being and not like scum."  These words sank deep into my heart!  This woman longed to be known and loved and treated like a human being.

I didn't have the means to change her life, but I could be with her for those moments on her journey.  I was able to share the promises of God's love for her and felt so humbled that those simple acts of care and compassion meant so much to her. 

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  JOHN 14:27 

Mission, Jesus style asks us to not be afraid to step into the mess, to treat others with compassion and care, and to have the blessing of seeing others be recipients of God's love!

Torrential Downpour

It's summer in Maryland and this week has been especially hot and Humid.  The kind of week when everything just feels damp.  Yesterday, the excess of the clouds descended upon the earth in torrential downpours of rain, the kind of rain where rivers form in parking lots, your shoes get squishy and even under an umbrella you get wet!

 ...soaking, ringing wet

... and everything you touch gets wet!!!

Abounding

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. PSALM 86:5

What a picture!
...abundant  ...increase  ...covering everything

...multiplying by the tens of thousands, like rain.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times,   having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  2 CORINTHIANS 9:8  

God is able!  The question is, am I willing?

We love because he first loved us. 1 JOHN 4:19

Have I danced in the abounding rain of God's amazing love to the point of being soaking, ringing wet and can't help dripping it everywhere I go?

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!  1 JOHN 3:1

Mission, Jesus style teaches me to dance in the rain!  It teaches me to spend time each day letting the Father lavish His love upon me.  As it rains down, and as I soak it in, I discover how compassionate and gracious he is.  And then, having been blessed with this love, I can't help but share it with others!

Into the neighborhood

Last night I was part of a group of 12 people took Jesus into the neighborhood around Berea Lutheran Church in the Belair-Edison community of Baltimore City.  This community has been plagued with crime, and yet the presence and peace of the Lord was so evident as we prayer-walked through the community.  The group was made up of the District Commander and an officer of the Baltimore Police Department, members of Berea and a few other Christians who came to help bring peace into the neighborhood.

We gathered at the church and prayed before the walk began. About 7 p.m. the group headed up the neighborhood street adjacent to the church.  Like much of Baltimore, row houses lined the street, each looking the same and yet each distinct.  These homes had large front porches, an element missing on the houses in my neighborhood, where families were gathered on this pleasant summer evening.

Activities varied from house to house - some were enjoying music, one group creating a medley of beat rhythms on a keyboard and one family enjoying a birthday celebration with steamed crabs.   Several porches had people just enjoying the welcome cool air and each other's company.  The children were so curious about what we were doing and some even joined us to pray.

The persons of peace became evident!  We openly shared that we were praying for the community with each person or group we encountered and asked if there was anything specific that they would like us pray for?  Some people readily welcomed us and several requests were given.  We had the opportunity to pray with some families after asking each one if we could pray with them.  As a contrast, we also encountered people that were uncomfortable with our presence.  Our purpose was to pray for and bless the community.  We were not giving a Gospel "presentation" other than being present and praying.  One man went so far as to say it was police harassment.

With each experience, the Lord is teaching me to perceive through His Spirit and minister to others with His compassionate grace.  Some things are only learned AS we do them.  I  encourage you to be brave and step out with others who are following Jesus into the mission field.

God's Peace be with you!

Choose Life

It seems that one of our greatest challenges is that we have choices.  Sometimes we make good choices and other times...well, not so much.  I've had these two words in my mind for several days now:

"...choose life..."

These two words are a beautiful summary of the resounding theme that God unfolds in His Word through the Bible:

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.  PSALM 34:8

Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  DEUTERONOMY 30:19b-20  

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.  1 TIMOTHY 6:19

Jesus says: " I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  JOHN 10:10

Mission, Jesus style invites people into a fuller expression of life than that which is available apart from a relationship with the creator of the universe.  In fact, Jesus says, "apart from me you can do nothing."  

I can just imagine Jesus praying for mankind, cheerfully chanting,
"choose life, choose life, choose life!"

As Jesus is praying to the Father, he says: "This is eternal life: that they may know you, the one true God and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."  JOHN 17:3

Mission, Jesus style invites people into a relationship with the one true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Life that is truly life, is lived in the dynamic of this relationship.  

The Lord chooses life!  "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." EPHESIANS 1:4  Jesus came to bring life!  Of all the choices a person can make in life, this single choice to be In relationship with the Lord and to trust Him is of eternal significance.  

Mission, Jesus style points people to "choose life."  I'm continually challenged to communicate the goodness of the Lord in ways that help people do this and find delight in the Lord.

Compassion Expresses the Heart of God

 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.  PSALM 103:8

The word compassionate and merciful are tied closely together when describing God's heart in the Scriptures.  In this verse the Hebrew word is described as compassionate, full of compassion, merciful.  

Compassion, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is a "sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it." 1 

Mission, Jesus style is having compassion that moves into action.  

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."  MATTHEW 9:36-38 

 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."  Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."  MATTHEW 14:14-16

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.  MATTHEW 20:34

How are you and I allowing God's heart of compassion to flow through us to others?  For Jesus, it wasn't just a good idea that "should" be done, it was the driving force that moved him and his disciples to step into action!  

Today, I'm thinking about how the people you and I meet would describe us?  The words along this spectrum came to mind.  They are meant to be illustrative:

Do they see us as merely friendly, nice and kind, or do they see us as compassionate?  We reflect the heart of God by our words and actions.  Will people see a God who feels sorry for the misery of people, or will they see a God who steps into the mess and does something about it?  Mission, Jesus style calls for a little less talk and a lot more action!  When compassion moves us into caring actions, it truly expresses the heart of God to others. 

As I think about the scene in the Feeding of the Five Thousand, the crowds are the recipients of God's provision; they didn't do anything to request or earn his favor.  Jesus had the people sit in groups in an orderly way, then demonstrated his connection to the Father as he looked up to heaven, gave thanks and distributed the food.  He modeled a life of faith in front of people without any excuses, but never forced them  to do the same.

It seems that Mission, Jesus style is living our faith out boldly, teaching the people around us through our openly faithful response in the midst of everyday circumstances, and trusting the Holy Spirit to cultivate those seeds of grace in people's hearts.  

Many times in the Scriptures we see that people's minds were

opened by God's compassionate actions that resulted in faith.  

Lord, move me beyond compassion to action and from interest to commitment.

Person of Peace - Part 3 (Jesus' most important evangelism strategy)

I'm still contemplating the Person of Peace concept.  Mission, Jesus style is as simple as making a new friend. If we don't get all weird about sharing our faith, or imposing it where it's not welcome, then it doesn't have to become so intimidating.  Learn to share in a way that invites people in, not pushing so hard that they resist and reject.  Remember from the Part 2 post that Jesus allowed people to walk away. 

Jo Paxton of 3DM Ministries says the "Person of Peace" concept is Jesus' most strategic evangelism tactic.  I believe this is something important for us to learn today.  Jo provides good insight on the concept in this short video:  You say "Persons of Peace" were Jesus' most strategic evangelism tactic in the NT. How does it work?

Although every Christian is included in Jesus' command to make disciples, not everyone is wired with that gift.  As I have observed, some people seem to have an exceptional boldness about sharing the Christian faith with strangers and friends alike, which some may describe as the spiritual gift of evangelism, where matters of faith come into every conversation.  

Part of the process of making disciples is
learning to give testimony about our faith

As we make friends and have conversations about various topics, find ways to express what you're learning in your walk of faith as it pertains to those topics.  It's as simple as learning to express the hope that you have through your faith relationship with Jesus.  I find that matters of forgiveness come up frequently, where I can share what the Lord has been teaching me about forgiveness.  When topics of loss and grief surface, I share what I've learned from the Lord in my own grief journey.  

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.  1 PETER 3:15-16

If you find that you don't have much to share, begin to make a conscious exercise of considering what you've learned along your own faith journey that applies to any given situation.  Also take time to assess how much time you're spending with the Lord and what you're continually learning from Him. He desires a deep and abiding relationship, where is able to form us more and more into his likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18).  

As you begin to attune your focus to sharing with others, 

you'll be amazed at how much you have to share!

Recognizing a Person of Peace - Part 2

I'm still contemplating the Person of Peace from last week's post.  It's simple in theory to understand that a Person of Peace is someone that God has prepared ahead of time to hear the message of the gospel through you We can recognize a Person of Peace as one who welcomes us like to be with us, and attempts to serve us in some way.

However, if we are to be among the masses, we will also encounter people who do not receive us.  Mission, Jesus style, gives people the freedom to reject the message.  There may be people who reject the message immediately and there may be people who hang around for a while first and then walk away like the rich young ruler in Matthew 19.  Jesus lays out the truth of the Kingdom, then gives people the freedom to make their own choice. He does not force them or argue with them, he lets them go (Matthew 6:66),

Personally, I find this difficult, and yet instructive.  Everything in me wants to say, "you just don't understand," then continue presenting the evidence.  But, that is not Jesus style.  He allows each one to choose, which sometimes means they will walk away. He is not hostile, he is not desperate, he presents the invitation lovingly and authoritatively, but never forces.  

Do you find it interesting that allowing someone to choose, without force, may actually draw them in?  When we are persons of peace, confident that the Lord is able to do all he promises, there is something that invites a person to discover for himself if that is true. Mission, Jesus style teaches us that when we are looking for a Person of Peace, we also need to BE a Person of Peace.  

How am I allowing the Lord and His Word to mold me in HIS ways?  Today I'm drawn to Psalm 1:1-3

 Blessed is the man
    who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
  or stand in the way of sinners
    or sit in the seat of mockers.

 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
  and whose leaf does not wither.
    Whatever he does prospers.

This encourages me to delight in the Lord and share the invitation to the Kingdom with joy and confidence, knowing that my role is only the messenger.  It challenges me to represent God well, knowing in advance that some people will not respond positively to the invitation.  Lord, grant me the grace to allow people the freedom to choose.

Recognizing a Person of Peace - Part 1

I've been drawn back to Jesus' teaching and the days of the early church when thinking about how to share this Good News today. Mission, Jesus style instructs us to recognize a person of peace as we go .    

Jesus was not received by everyone.

JOHN 1:10-13
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

Jesus taught his disciples how to recognize those that would receive Him. 

A person of peace welcomes you, they receive who you are and are open to you.  They are open to the life you live because of Jesus.  If we look closely at the passage, they seem to welcome you into their lives and serve you.

LUKE 10:5-12 
"When you enter a house, first say, `Peace to this house.' If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.  

"When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, `The kingdom of God is near you.' But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, `Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.' I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

Persons of Peace may be searching for answers to their spiritual questions, but that doesn't mean they will come to your church, Bible study, website or group ready to jump in.  We need to meet them where they are rather than expect them to come to us.

Mission, Jesus Style says we need to be mingling with the masses to find Persons of Peace.

• Who are the people in your life who are open to you?  
• Who serves you in some way?
• Who are the people interested in learning about your life and what you believe?  

I'm paying attention in new ways!

Mission, Jesus Style...the "ah-ha" moment

The "ah-ha" has been churning for several years, but this morning it became concisely clear:

For many years Christians have been so encouraged to invite people to "church" that we've lost the art of inviting people into our lives with Jesus!  

In 1995 I answered God's call to serve Him in outreach ministry, not having any idea where that would lead!  The Lord used Micah 6:8  to help me understand the simplicity of my walk with Him.  I knew that He called me to help people that didn't know the love of the Creator, to know Him.  Of course I anticipated challenges, but could not have imagined the magnitude of the task that lay ahead!  

Helping people know Jesus came through my own relationship and experiences of faith - not church experiences, but experiences with the Lord (although many happened at the church building or during church events).  In trying to learn how to help others do this I sought a Masters degree, have read two bookcases of books and hundreds of articles, attended multiple conferences and have had thousands of conversations!   

A paradigm shift of major proportions is necessary!

It's simple...Mission, Jesus Style is about loving God AND loving others...with no judgmental expectations, simply expressing the same kind of love and care that the Lord bestows on his children each and every day.  Of course, simple definitely does not equate to easy!  

Mission, Jesus Style is about grace-filled living.  Grace=unmerited favor.  I can't speak for you, but for me grace is not natural and it is definitely not easy.  Giving someone favor when they have not earned it is hard to consider.  Well, we can probably come to terms with it in small measures, but to bestow favor when someone is truly adversarial or forgiving someone who is not sorry for what they've done, is almost impossible to imagine.  In fact, it seems downright unfair, but that is life on mission, Jesus style.  

Mission, Jesus Style is learning to live, taking on the nature and character traits of Jesus in growing measure and conforming our lives to be more and more like Him (not becoming Him, but reflecting Him more and more accurately to those around us).  I am challenged every day!!!

So, my aim with this blog is to share what I'm learning and what I see in others that I need to learn.  For anyone who reads this and wants to share their experiences in the journey, I welcome your input.