"If he is not an enemy, he's an ally."

John spoke up, “Teacher, we saw a man using your name to expel demons and we stopped him because he wasn’t in our group.”

Jesus wasn’t pleased. “Don’t stop him. No one can use my name to do something good and powerful, and in the next breath cut me down. If he’s not an enemy, he’s an ally. Why, anyone by just giving you a cup of water in my name is on our side. Count on it that God will notice.

“On the other hand, if you give one of these simple, childlike believers a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t. You’d be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck.

Mark 9:38-42

Mark 9 is a loaded chapter, to say the least. I was drawn by all 5 of the teachable passages (could be more). I have chosen to process with you through one of them, though.

Admittedly, I have a problem with criticism. I have a bit of what I've been told is a gift of discernment. Unfortunately, I have not matured in that gift, completely. It's easy for me to see the good in someone and to embrace that person no matter what they may look like on the outside. However, I can also easily see the bad in someone, and in the words of the great theologian, Bon Qui Qui, "CUT them." My passion and desire to be more like Jesus has turned my criticism 180 degrees in my life though. When I first became a Christ-follower, I would criticize those who didn't know Jesus and felt like it was my duty as a Christian to point out faults and turn them to Jesus. Now, I feel more compassion, mercy and grace flowing to those very people, and less and less flowing to the "Christians" in my culture.

What I hear being said to me in this passage is simple. Quit criticizing those who are acting in my name, and on my behalf just because you don't agree with their methods. If they are not my enemies, then they are my allies. Okay, I hear that, but...

No "buts." No matter if I agree or if I get it, it's clear. If someone is not preaching against Jesus, then I should praise God for them. I don't have to agree with their methodology, I don't have to trust them...I have to trust Him.

It is very interesting that Jesus calls these new Christ-followers, "simple child-like believers." My response to them is crucial. If I keep them from doing any work or ministry "in Jesus' name," then I am guilty. This is serious.

Father, I want to trust you with all of your 'ministers.' You know hearts and you know motives. Even in the most awkward moments, may your light shine through them, as I pray it shines through me when my heart is not right and motives are not pure. None of us are perfect and all of us need you to re-interpret our messages to the hearts of the people you want to reach. May I live in that trust more today, than I did yesterday.

Christmas Margin

This morning I had my usual Tuesday breakfast with some men from the Springs.  We had a great discussion this morning, as usual, but something really stood out and has remained with me for a couple of hours.  One of the guys said this morning that he and his family have created more margin this year and it has allowed them to see God at work in their family.

By creating financial margin by cutting back during the year, their family has been able to extend outward with their Christmas this year.  By creating relational margin, they have been able to invest in others this Christmas season and even the kids are beginning to see the needs of their friends.  

The results of one Christmas with this focus may be minimal to those kids as they grow up, but they could lead to more Christmases of the same focus, which could just change a family and those around them.  Maybe you are seeing people give out of this margin, not because of a great economic culture right now, but because they made smaller sacrifices throughout the year that is making it possible for them to experience the blessing of God flowing through them to some needy families this year.  Seeing this makes you a little jealous.  Don't worry, it's not the last opportunity we will have.  However, it starts with establishing some margin in your own family to do things for others.  Maybe your "gift" to your community is a commitment to live off less this next year so you can be in a better position to give more when the time arrives - maybe next Christmas, maybe next month.  

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to everyone!

What a Great Story

Yesterday, I heard a story that made my heart smile.  Last Saturday was the Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii.  The defending women's champion, Chrissie Wellington, had a 5 minute lead with about 1/4 of the bike ride left, when she had a flat tire.  No problem.  She stopped, pulled out her air canisters to fix the tire, but they didn't work.  As Wellington watched her competitors catch up and pass her, one came to her rescue.  Rebekah Keat of Australia, stopped and offered a canister to Wellington.  The defending champion was up and on her way again.  She regained the 10 minutes and the lead that she had lost, going on to win her second consecutive Ironman by nearly 15 minutes.

This is one reason why I love sports so much.  In the midst of all the greed and arrogance of the modern athletes, in steps a young lady from Australia to show us the thread of goodness that runs throughout humanity.  I have no idea whether or not this woman knows Jesus, but I do know that she demonstrated Him last Saturday by helping someone in need - even in the midst of competition.  Thank you Rebekah Keat for making my heart smile this week.

Getting Ready for Church

This morning my alarm went off and my mind immediately went to our service today.  I am excited about today.  I got up and did my usual morning routine and I got dressed.  I didn't get dressed as usual though.  Today, I found some dirty jeans and my boots.  I got my stuff together.  Today, my backpack was replaced with a wheelbarrow.  I got my ladder, my hedge trimmers and any tools I could gather up - I don't have many.  Today is a different kind of Sunday...but should it be?

Our community has weathered a tough storm - Hurricane Ike.  Today there are still people without power and with trees broken tattering their yards.  Our church is gathering to go out today.  We are taking our own small steps in helping some folks begin to put things back together.  As a church, we have established margin in our "church schedule" by only gathering two times a month.  This allows for some unique opportunities on the Sundays we don't gather at the YMCA.  For the next few months, those opportunities will probably consist of going out and helping our neighbors clean up.  However, other opportunities might include having a picnic with our neighbors, or going camping together.  It might be coming together in our living room to open the Bible together.  It might be any number of things.

Today, however, I am excited about 'being the church' as we move out and get dirty and sweaty and reach out into our neighborhood.  It's fun to be the Church @ the Springs!

MORE THOUGHTS LIKE YESTERDAY

After writing yesterday’s post on sticking it to the man, I have been reflecting a little. This morning I was thinking about a story about Jesus. Jesus had been traveling through towns and villages, teaching where people gathered, explaining the kingdom of God, healing their diseases and their broken lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. They were so confused and aimless, like sheep with no shepherd.

I’ve heard this story before, several times in fact, but this morning it read differently than any other time. In the original language of the story, Jesus heart isn’t what broke...it was his bowels. Sorry for the imagery, but it’s the truth. The NIV translates the word as compassion. When Jesus looked at these people, he physically hurt in his gut. Do you ever remember when that special someone broke up with you before you were ready? She ended up finding a new love before you and when you found out you had this pain in your gut. That’s the heart break that Jesus felt. Why do I not feel that for the people I know who are without Jesus?

Why did Jesus’ heart break? It broke because he saw the people as confused and aimless. Again, in the original language, it may have sounded more like this, “His heart broke for them because they were pinned down and getting beat up.” Now the picture is becoming clearer. I could never walk by a young innocent person, who is pinned down and being beaten up by a bigger bully. Jesus’ perspective was different.

In order for me to ever see people the way Jesus sees them, I must get past the bully that has them pinned down. I must see that the bully is the behavior, no matter how ugly or consensual it may be. Apart from the freeing love of Christ, we are just getting bullied around by an enemy that doesn’t want anything to do with us. If we ever hope to see people transformed into who God wants them to be, we must be willing to befriend them right where they are...warts and all.

Matthew 9.36 (MESSAGE)
When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd.