meditation on tree

Greg- thanks for the leadership and vision.

From Isaiah 61:3


Oak.

Roots strong
Trunk wide
Bark thick
Leaves a plenty
Shade abounding
Greens, browns
Pure, simple

People weak
Hunger deep
Heart hard
Shade welcomed
Blacks, blues
Stone, flesh

world beyond mine

what a week. dallas has been good rest. yet, coming back here reminds me of my roots. of course - its where i grew up, but not only that... being in the suburbs freaks me out. everyone is stuck in their own little worlds. i've got friends in several parts of the globe (argentina, ireland, east asia, and taiwan) and i'm stuck here in americaville - where you too can live out the american dream!

i remember the words of igor - one of my favorite people - in kiev: "the biggest difference (between ukrainians and americans is) people in america are caught in their small worlds." in kiev, they have nothing to really even consider a world. whereas in america, our worlds that we see as huge are really just game of accumulation and competition in the name of "prosperity." kiev - the bigger picture is painted by less and less. they are free to look beyond themselves b/c they are not worried about the stuff in their life or their status. their poverty is freedom. how revolutionary.

it's good to be reminded that our worlds are so small in comparison to THE world.

i liked this quote from whatischurch.com because its so easy to fall into this mindset:

I have lost sight of the story of God and replaced it with my own story independent of others, history, time, process. I have forgotten that I am going somewhere, moving forward through time and space connected to the people of God and even more importantly God himself. Sometimes it is good to come up for air. See the light. Remember your position in this whole thing. The big picture fills you with a deep breath so to speak. A relaxed moment in the journey that you have to be willing to go on. And once you are willing, you step into this wonderful picture of a people that are moving forward into God and his purposes

i am free, i am complete

Love threatens freedom.

On the outside of love, the walls are thick and the bars many and the locks strong. It seems as if once inside there’s no way of escaping. Like there’s no way of ever seeing the outside world the same way again. No more hope for freedom.

Though love seems scary. Everything within you calls you to it, yet embracing it may be the hardest thing you’ve ever done. The mystery behind the walls beckons you. The aroma of love reaches beyond your senses and stings your heart. Much stronger than you ever thought, little loves passed. The birdcage sweet song of love in your ear, the windy walk love on your skin, the beautiful gleam of love upon thine eye. These fall away, though captivating for a time. Far superior, the cage of love that binds reckless on the soul awaits, calling from beyond.

Trying to peer in – a glimpse, a resonance, a taste of what’s inside the walls of love. So mysterious, yet grand what lies within – the cage could be despair and the end of me. Once inside, no way out, forever lost in the clout of a mystery unknown to the outsider.

A sudden pull, a yank from within – this thing you can’t understand reeling you in. unlocked and swinging open. No fee in the walls of love. The invitation too great, a hard heart served up on a plate and left at the door.

The freedom within, who can explain? The life in the walls a new domain, greater in every way. Protection and life, peace and justice, boundaries in freedom – this can not be. From the outside, shackled and not set free. How can this love be so much bigger than just the eye can see, the ear can hear or the tongue touch? More than just feeling in love, a tangible reality looking out for the greatest good in me. A strange new way to view eternity. No where else I’d rather be than in this cell, in chains of love. Far larger than the cell can be, this love only makes sense in eternity.

Love is freedom, that I will shout to the world that shackles down, but can not contain with walls a love greater than a falling star from the sky. Come to the foolishness that is the great love. Be freed. Be captivated. Be filled. Be.

Love is freedom.

LGLP

Greg Matte summed up our daily ministry to the world in his sermon last night. He spoke from Acts 17: 16-21, of Paul's venture into the depths of citylife. Though plagued with every common misconception to man, Paul neither dilluted nor detracted from the message of the gospel as it shared it with everyone he encountered.

At camp, we talked about loving God and loving people (LGLP), the basics of the Christian life. Last night was the meat of loving other people - specifically non Christians. He spoke of having "vision" - the desire to know god more fully - & "venue" - the path on which the vision is walked. For Paul - the two intersected at all moments of his life, even when he was "waiting for [Silas and Timothy] at Athens." From the good friend on the phone to the man handing us our burger - just like Paul, we all encounter these types of people everyday.

1) The Potentials - "Jews and the devout persons" - those we know have a desire for good, but just need the good news shared with them; the interior needs a change - the exterior may seem pretty great

2) The Passersby - "those who happened to be there" - taking the time to ask if the waitress needs prayer or if the guy on the street corner wants to talk can make all the difference in their life; showing that we care is the door to evangelism

3) The Pleasure Seekers - "Epicureans" - those who just want to know where the next physical high will come from; when you understand who you're talking to, you can understand how to talk to them; the seem far off - but they seek satisfaction like everyone else

4) The Prideful - "Stoics" - those who are hard on the outside; they think they have all the answers and never admit to being weak or wrong

In our efforts to be the church, identifying to whom we're ministering is a huge step in actively engaging in our communities. We can value God's love, but until it is actively showered on those around us, it is simply a concept in our minds. We truly must interact to impact the world. If we stopped to take a snapshot of our lives, there would be people all around us. The only question is how we will view them. Will we see people as scenery (those just there), machinery (those there to serve us), or ministry (those we're here to serve)? It is up to us to see others as God does: objects of love.

Paul's love resulted in people wanting to know more about the "strange things" he had to say. He goes on to share with them in their own cultural language, Greek literature. He was involved in every aspect of culture, yet unshaken by it. May we do the same as we engage non-believers on their level of cultural relevance. That is effective ministry. Though the results were varied, but Paul effectively discharged his duties as an evangelist. The rest is up to God's work in the hearts and lives of men, and in God's sovereignty I take comfort.

Whatever the venue, may our vision to see God magnified in our lives shine through to ALL those around us. LGLP.