Incarnational Apologetics...

Classes have started and I am knee deep in homework. Stressful as it is some nights, I love it. I am reading books that I wouldn't be reading if it weren't for these classes, and definitely learning things I wouldn't be learning on my own.

For my Contemporary Evangelism class, I just read an article by the professor on the topic of Incarnational Apologetics. A fancy way of saying, "Walk your talk." In a class centered on the topic of evangelism, we can too often get caught up in what method to use in sharing the Gospel, what questions to ask to bring the conversation around to spiritual things, what verses to use, etc. Evangelism can get so one-sided and off balance... very quickly.

But the article was just a great reminder to have our life in order as we are trying to share the Gospel. In this day and age, people could care less about what you say unless they already have a foundational respect for you and how you live your life.

Jesus talked. And he walked. Who are we to accept any less for our own lives?

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Lesson for Today: Missing the Texas Stickls already...

Vision, Paradigms, and Other Thoughts...

This past week I have been doing some reading on urban ministry, community development, etc. One of the articles I found pertinent and timely was "Community & Reconciliation" by David S. Apple, founder of Reconcilers Fellowship.

In the midst of talking about community development within urban settings, he had some very solid leadership and vision principles. And I thought they were worth sharing:

In Christian community building, the gospel map guides us and the love of God persuades us. And vision makes it possible. Vision is the basic building block which inspires creativity to what is possible. Vision catches the spirit. The role of leadership is to hold forth the vision and purpose of the full human potential. A leader with vision regards the welfare of others. S/he models Christ so others may follow. The leaders knows where s/he is going - prayerfully seeking God's will for direction. The leaders build on people without climbing over them. The leader initiates, proclaiming, "Do you see what I see!" Above all, the leader is proactive and innovative. S/he does not let the words, "We never did it that way before," discourage community building and growth. The leader encourages new ways of thinking and action.

In his book Paradigms, Joel Arthur Barker states that "we need a leader who innovates, has a long range perspective (with an eye on the horizon) and challenges the status quo. This person needs to be a good manager of people and a visionary."

What is a paradigm? It is the collective consciousness, that is, the grid which people view their world. Adam Smith in Powers of the Mind states, "A paradigm is a shared set of assumptions. It is the way we perceive the world. When we are in the middle of the paradigm it is hard to imagine any other paradigm...." It is a psychological filter, a set of rules of thought which do not change. Barker calls this paradigm paralysis or hardening of the categories....

The opposite of paradigm paralysis is paradigm pliancy. It is the purposeful seeking out of new ways of doing things.... It is learning to speak and hear a new language. It is made possible by the transformation of attitudes....

The leader who will bring a paradigm shift or enhancement is one who is a catalyst or pioneer... who will take a risk.

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Lesson for Today: The history and time period of intertestamental Judaism is actually much more interesting than it sounds...

The Author of Life...

Most anyone who knows me knows my love for books. Any kind of books. Classics. Mysteries. Historical. Inspirational. How-to manuals. Pretty much anything. I could sit in a room by myself for days with a couple of good books and be as content as anything.

As I work my way through stories, I often take a mental step backward and assess my connection with the story, my reaction to what is happening. It sounds much nerdier written out than when I actually do it. But one of the fundamental purposes of books, and the written word in general, is to extend influence, spread ideas, and allow others to react to philosophic principles. So Im not that weird for assessing it (or so I tell myself).

And I have found that applying this principle to life is a powerful way of regaining perspective. As I go through trials or circumstances that I just cant see a resolution to, I can find peace when I back up to analyze my reaction and assess the story. 

Here is an example to better explain what I am saying. When I read a fictional story in which the main character has just lost his wife to illness, I dont stop my whole life to grieve. Part of it is because the story is fictional. Part of it is because I dont have a real relationship with the fictional character. But much of it is because I know resolution is coming. I dont throw the book down and get mad at the author. I dont swear off his books because it was so unfair that the wife died. I just keep reading. I know the next chapter will bring change, and so will the chapter after that. And I trust that by the end of the book, there will be resolution, even if the main character can't see it yet.

When I view my life as a story, all of the sudden, hard situations suddenly become easier to walk through. I think, If my life were written in a book, the reader might think this situation is unfair and is really bad. But they'd think if I could just hold on, I'll find resolution a page, a chapter, or a book away. And honestly, it helps. It helps because I remember then that the Author of my story is One in whom I can trust with my story.

Let faith arise, oh Lord, let faith arise

In the deepest parts of my being, oh Lord

In the most broken parts of me, oh Lord

I say no to the discouragement that keeps me down

I say no to the things that keep me back from You

And this broken heart inside of me

Broken in so many pieces

By so many circumstances

I say no to just letting it stay that way

Because Im learning to believe that its not You that hurt me

Im learning to believe that its not You that deserted me

Im believing that You still love me, brokenness and all

Im believing that Youve got a plan for me

Im believing that You will restore me

I believe that You will awaken my soul

And Im rejoicing in the fact that the Bible says

That You are my Victorious Warrior

                                  (Jason Upton, "Faith")

Paul refers to Jesus as the Author of life (Acts 3.15). He is writing our story every minute of every day. He writes things in we might have never allowed had we been writing our own story. But he is the Author, and so we accept what each page brings. 

We have to have enough confidence in the Author to just keep reading. 

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Lesson for Today: If you ever catch a multi-hundred pound blue tuna, sell it in Japan for some serious bucks.

Contented Expectancy, Part 2 (We serve a Big God)...

Here are some more thoughts on contented expectancy. 

Our God is a God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine. All we could ask or imagine. That means the thing you asked God to do in your life just this morning - He can do it. That situation for which God gave you a spark of hope to hold on to - He can make it reality. That thought lodged so far back in your mind that you are afraid to let any closer for fear of disappointment if it doesn't come true - He can make it better than you're nervous to imagine. And that dream that is held in my heart, that few else know.. That, "Oh, if only it were true," kind of dream - He smiles about the ease at which He could blink and make it come forth.

Does it mean He will? Not always. But the clincher is this: If He has said it, He will do it. Period. End of conversation.

I don't need to worry about God coming through on my dream when I know it was His spoken word in my life that put that dream there in the first place. He may not do it on my timeline, but I cannot let go of what He told me to hold on to. I cannot make excuses for God: "Maybe He'll come through in another way, maybe I heard Him wrong, maybe He actually meant something else entirely..." No. He is big enough and strong enough to defend Himself. My job is to stand on the belief that God Himself is Truth. And it shall come to pass.

Contented expectancy is a place of tension and waiting. It is a place of being calm amidst the situation, while knowing God will come through. It is a place where God can do His best work if I will simply abandon myself in hope. Hope in him. Not hope in the situation, or hope in the dream. But hope in him.

Like Paul, we must learn the secret of being content in any and every situation (Philippians 4.12). The secret being Him who gives me strength to do all things - like waiting in the tension of a contented expectancy. Content where He has placed us. Content with what He has given us. Content with who He has called us to be.

But content never means comfortable or settling for less than best. It's not sitting in the fire of a situation and trying to acclimate to the flames burning our skin. It's sitting in that fire, crying out to God with an intensity, a humility, and a waiting heart. It's knowing in the midst of the burn that God is forever our Rescuer. Knowing that He is with us in the fire and will turn it all for good. It is knowing that He is God and that's enough. 

Be content in every situation. And expect Him to move mountains in every one.

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Lessons for Today: Focus is all about the mission.

Contented Expectancy...

Last week, as I was asking God some questions and waiting for the answers (which I am still waiting for, but I think thats His point...), He laid this term on my mind: contented expectancy. Im not sure if its even grammatically correct, but if God says it, what is grammar to disagree?

What does contented expectancy mean to you? A pregnant woman relaxing in a freshly painted nursery? A teacher watching his full-of-potential student try a problem one more time? An elderly widow looking at a picture of her late husband?

We understand content. And we understand expectant. But do we understand how they fit together? Maybe if I truly lived what I understood content to mean, and if I acted in a way that paralleled expectancy, then contented expectancy wouldn't be such a hard term for me to wrap my mind around.

As I continue to seek how I am to live this life with contented expectancy, I will keep you posted.

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Lesson for Today: I've missed this kind of snow...