I received a visit from a local pastor, at the house, today. It was a deep blessing. Thank you for stopping by, brother, if you read this. i can't tell you what it means to be loved by the brethren in ministry.
This brother is a leader in a congregation where we baptized Tom. I'll attempt to attach a pic for you. But, anyway, this brother came by, "just to say hi". it was wonderful. We talked about school choices for Aaron. this pastor is also a teacher in cincinnati Public Schools (CPS). He really helped us get aware about which schools would work for Aaron. I also got a chance to talk to him about helping us find host families for ten-month high school exchange students.
But during the course of our conversation, he really blessed me with something. You may find it strange, but I think that sharing this with you may help introduce you to some of the dynamics working behind the leadership of grubbykupp...
Here's the upshot:
"Lew, you're such a pastor. You have gifts and..." (you get it) "...so why don't you join up with a denomination and get a salary and benefits and retirement going?" "you'd be so good at it, and people need you", "i want to see you in a building, with a congregation"... and so on. "they need you"... and so on.
You know, he's right. That may seem arrogant, or something, but it is true. The truth about me is that I am a servant of the Lord, a son of God, a teacher of the New Covenant, and other things that, if said here, might make you think I'm a bit off my rocker.
But I do have credentials that are convincing, compelling to those who know about the things of the Spirit. I have seen more than many, and the Spirit has given me real insights into key aspects of Church Life in our generation... It has been said that I really know the Scriptures well, and that my application of them to teaching is inspired...
But my REAL credentials are PEOPLE! You might be one of them. My real credentials don't hang on walls, or fit in files. They are YOU, if you are one. You know who you are. And you are not MY credentials. You are Letters of recommendation for Jesus! Written to all who can read the heavenly writing of the Spirit in your souls.
Last Sunday night our "meetingfull" gathered around Judy and me and prayed blessing over us as I received official recognition and ordination. For those of you who know my history, there has been a miraculous, true, and blessed reconciliation between myself and the Body of Christ group, in Florida. There has been true repentance and much growth among that group, and we have all emerged from the fires of the last couple of years. As for me, I've really grown and been changed by the experience that we share, as well. The sum of it is: God meant it for good! I really, truly believe that! You don't have to be privy to the details of this if you weren't near it (although it's an interesting story, if you ask) to see that God is operating through difficult circumstances to purify us and make us useful in receiving his love.
But today's conversation really helped me appreciate some things:
First)
It's true! I am the Lord's servant, overseeing the church in our little corner. I love Him and his people. He is so in love with us! I'm tried and I'm true and that's that.
Second)
Joining a denomination, receiving a pastorate, parsonage, salary, benefits, retirement, continuing ed, degree, credentials, influence, reputation... it's all GOOD...
...when it's IN CHRIST. It means nothing at all. The only thing that matters is abiding in Jesus Christ. I will boast about his crucifiction! So, whether I get all that stuff someday, or remain gritty with mad street credit, all that matters is Christ, his death, body, blood, and empty hole in the ground.
All I am called to do will come from Abiding in Christ. That's my focus. that's my goal, to be found IN HIM.
Third)
While all that's okay, and I am the real deal, not a fake, How I respond to the reality of my gifting and calling must originate in WAITING, PRAYING, HOPING, FOLLOWING STEP BY STEP. How I steward the giftings of God shouldn't be adminstrated by my own understanding, but by a journey in the Spirit.
In 1 john 2:26-67, we are told that the Spirit is our teacher, empowering and teaching us to abide in Christ. I believe that this is mystical, intellectual, emotional, physical... the works!
I believe that there are so many Christians today who are in danger of eternal loss because their course isn't a product of abiding in Christ. They do all the right things, but not out of abiding. They are active, but not led by the Spirit. They loathe the waiting and hoping for the Spirit to come and lead... They fear inactivity and the loneliness of the wilderness... These are the inheritance of Spirit-people.
This is the course plotted for me, retirement or not. Nothing, not benefits, security, "memberships", reputation, is worth losing this intimacy. And it is likely that some, many, or even all these things will come with the journey. It's just not for me to say. It is for me to follow.
Who knows? The years may see me become an author, PhD, who knows what? I may become a "real" pastor, with a large church, or a network of house churches that reaches notable size... but woe to me if I boast in anything but the cross, and live anything but the "wind-life" of the Spirit...
Childlike
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
sunday
Brothers and Sisters!
Here is the Scripture list from our time together last sunday.
1 Sam. 7:10-13
1 Cor. 14:26
Rom. 1:1-following
Matt. 7:15-20
Gal. 3:1
Is. 59:20-21
Jer. 31:31-34
Hos. 14:1-4
Ez. 36:22-27
Is. 66:2b-5
John 3: 20, 21
Psalm 51
Hebrews 10
Is. 12
John 6:28-29
1 John 2:26-29
I am your brother in the Lord, also an overseer in the Church. please make my heart glad by deeply studying these scriptures, praying through them, working your life and mind into obedience to the Lord, using these Sunday nights to gain the advantage over the enemy.
Here is the Scripture list from our time together last sunday.
1 Sam. 7:10-13
1 Cor. 14:26
Rom. 1:1-following
Matt. 7:15-20
Gal. 3:1
Is. 59:20-21
Jer. 31:31-34
Hos. 14:1-4
Ez. 36:22-27
Is. 66:2b-5
John 3: 20, 21
Psalm 51
Hebrews 10
Is. 12
John 6:28-29
1 John 2:26-29
I am your brother in the Lord, also an overseer in the Church. please make my heart glad by deeply studying these scriptures, praying through them, working your life and mind into obedience to the Lord, using these Sunday nights to gain the advantage over the enemy.
I sat with a local pastor this morning, a real brother in the Lord. This guy gets it. He's on the journey, a real teacher to me. I am looking forward to years of trench work with him.
In our conversation, we crossed some ground where the treading is tricky. We were talking about how we're supposed to be "in the world" but not "of the world". How God calls us to "come out from among them", and how we're to walk that out.
My answer to him was, "right next to them", "right in front of them", "among them".
We are to walk out holiness boldly, in the darkness, shining as lights. We are to be salt, causing change, bringing grace. We are to be peacemakers, IN the war. You can't be a peace "maker" without conflict to "make" it out of. Otherwise, you're not a "maker". You are a talker, a maintainer, a... not a doer of the law, but a judge of it...
Here's a scripture:
___________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 5:9-11 (New American Standard Bible)
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
9I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;
10I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.
11But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one.
--------------------------------------------
We are to separate from someone, alright. But not from the people of the world who don't know God. They're following a very understandable course. They are dead in sin, and sinning is their nature, so far. But someone who is a believer is held to a very strict standard. We are supposed to follow this standard in our brotherhood with each other. We are to call out people who are fake, using religion to cover their darkness. We are to separate from false brethren. This is a thing that will show the world, looking on, what it means to be a christian.
It is tolerable for a person in darkness to stumble, for those who reject the truth to follow lies. Not pleasant, not truly tolerable in an eternal sense--we pray and work that they be loosed from the devil's bondage--but it's at least understandable. They are treated with mercy, at a distance.
But for a person to tread Christ underfoot, using religion as a cover, claiming to follow Christ, yet willfully, persistently indulging in sin, rejecting the help of the Spirit, Word and Body... this is unacceptable and will be met with Truth in Love, resulting in separation.
Now, if it's a person that's caught in a sin, but truly desiring freedom, and willing to pay the price of walking out repentance when they are offered the help of the Spirit, Word and Body, that's different.
_____________________________
Galatians 6
1Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
2Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
3For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
---------------------------
Restoration is the name of the game, but there are many who have no taste for the cross, who bewail their sins, not turning from them. To them, their sins are like golden, diamond studded chains. They bring bondage, but are "precious"... Gollum reference...
So, if there were a community of saints, walking this out in intensity, with the readiness to be active in this, as a Body, with the Spirit leading and teaching them to abide in Christ... That would be a very interesting group. They'd be thought of as strange, within present Christendom, I think.
There are so many more scriptures to look at for this. These two are insufficient for a deep articulation of these important relational dynamics in the Body. But the truth will strip us. And fill us, and bear us fruit... fruit that will last...
So hit the dirt... repent... become filled with the Spirit by believing this incredible Grace. Remember that those who restore others are referred to as "nothing" in that Gal.6 thing. We are his beloved children, but it is He who does all our works. Let's get broken hearted.
In our conversation, we crossed some ground where the treading is tricky. We were talking about how we're supposed to be "in the world" but not "of the world". How God calls us to "come out from among them", and how we're to walk that out.
My answer to him was, "right next to them", "right in front of them", "among them".
We are to walk out holiness boldly, in the darkness, shining as lights. We are to be salt, causing change, bringing grace. We are to be peacemakers, IN the war. You can't be a peace "maker" without conflict to "make" it out of. Otherwise, you're not a "maker". You are a talker, a maintainer, a... not a doer of the law, but a judge of it...
Here's a scripture:
___________________________________________________
1 Corinthians 5:9-11 (New American Standard Bible)
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
9I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people;
10I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.
11But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one.
--------------------------------------------
We are to separate from someone, alright. But not from the people of the world who don't know God. They're following a very understandable course. They are dead in sin, and sinning is their nature, so far. But someone who is a believer is held to a very strict standard. We are supposed to follow this standard in our brotherhood with each other. We are to call out people who are fake, using religion to cover their darkness. We are to separate from false brethren. This is a thing that will show the world, looking on, what it means to be a christian.
It is tolerable for a person in darkness to stumble, for those who reject the truth to follow lies. Not pleasant, not truly tolerable in an eternal sense--we pray and work that they be loosed from the devil's bondage--but it's at least understandable. They are treated with mercy, at a distance.
But for a person to tread Christ underfoot, using religion as a cover, claiming to follow Christ, yet willfully, persistently indulging in sin, rejecting the help of the Spirit, Word and Body... this is unacceptable and will be met with Truth in Love, resulting in separation.
Now, if it's a person that's caught in a sin, but truly desiring freedom, and willing to pay the price of walking out repentance when they are offered the help of the Spirit, Word and Body, that's different.
_____________________________
Galatians 6
1Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
2Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
3For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
---------------------------
Restoration is the name of the game, but there are many who have no taste for the cross, who bewail their sins, not turning from them. To them, their sins are like golden, diamond studded chains. They bring bondage, but are "precious"... Gollum reference...
So, if there were a community of saints, walking this out in intensity, with the readiness to be active in this, as a Body, with the Spirit leading and teaching them to abide in Christ... That would be a very interesting group. They'd be thought of as strange, within present Christendom, I think.
There are so many more scriptures to look at for this. These two are insufficient for a deep articulation of these important relational dynamics in the Body. But the truth will strip us. And fill us, and bear us fruit... fruit that will last...
So hit the dirt... repent... become filled with the Spirit by believing this incredible Grace. Remember that those who restore others are referred to as "nothing" in that Gal.6 thing. We are his beloved children, but it is He who does all our works. Let's get broken hearted.
broken lawn furniture
In moving into the city, I have had a lot of lawn furniture broken, a lot of basketballs stolen, and a lot of litter on my property. There have been gunshots, a murder, five streetfights, a small riot, car accidents at our corner, my son has been punched in the face numerous times... not to mention some of the dogs...
there was a dogfight about two weeks back that was the most violent thing I may have ever witnessed personally. It was horrifying to see this mastiff, loose, attacking this shepherd/wolf mix, on a chain. I thought the chained dog would die. There was no pulling them apart.
"Curly" was alright. A little stiff, a little meaner, still chained.
And life here is "safer" to me than elsewhere. Here, I live in a daily workshop of mercy and service. We daily have a troop of folks eating at our table, using the first floor, hoop, backyard, to live and love each other...
My sons will never be racist, never see kids by color. They will never shy from people with accents. They will never shun foreign foods, nor will they turn hospitality from the needy. They miss out on the official "Sunday School" experience, but have JP, Chris, Prari, and so many others reading scripture to them and their friends, teaching them the ways of the Lord. These people are living examples of faith in action. Haiti, Kenya, Mexico, are only a few of the places they have gone to share the Love of Jesus. But the most important place they've gone is "nowhere". They're right here, daily, in the streets, loving our neighbors.
this is the bread, to me...
there was a dogfight about two weeks back that was the most violent thing I may have ever witnessed personally. It was horrifying to see this mastiff, loose, attacking this shepherd/wolf mix, on a chain. I thought the chained dog would die. There was no pulling them apart.
"Curly" was alright. A little stiff, a little meaner, still chained.
And life here is "safer" to me than elsewhere. Here, I live in a daily workshop of mercy and service. We daily have a troop of folks eating at our table, using the first floor, hoop, backyard, to live and love each other...
My sons will never be racist, never see kids by color. They will never shy from people with accents. They will never shun foreign foods, nor will they turn hospitality from the needy. They miss out on the official "Sunday School" experience, but have JP, Chris, Prari, and so many others reading scripture to them and their friends, teaching them the ways of the Lord. These people are living examples of faith in action. Haiti, Kenya, Mexico, are only a few of the places they have gone to share the Love of Jesus. But the most important place they've gone is "nowhere". They're right here, daily, in the streets, loving our neighbors.
this is the bread, to me...
Thankful
I'm so thankful, this morning, for...
...just BEING here.
What i mean is, for years now we've been in a transition from an approach to ministry that originates in an effort to DO for the Lord to an approach to LIFE that comes from Being In the Lord.
From "Ministry" to "Life"
From efforts directed by/originated in my perceptions, desires, thoughts... to those the Spirit leads me into...
The latter may still be strengthened by desires, thoughts, perceptions of my human mechanism, that is, my shell/container/sarx/flesh, but their origin is not mine... not my planning, alliances... just waited for in a vacuum of hope...
...and BEING there is so powerful. My days are filled, i mean FILLED, with powerful, transforming opportunities to engage God as he is working in people around me. Sometimes this looks like counseling, sometimes like prayer together, sometimes in deliverance ministry, sometimes in a healing (yesterday, i prayed for a two-year-old's allergic rash and it immediately went down), sometimes in wisdom, sometimes in folly, sometimes in jail, sometimes in singing, sometimes with basketball, sometimes in...
Who knows what God will do with us when we discipline ourselves out of the busy run of this world, set ourselves apart to wait on Him, and learn the contentment of Him being absolutely enough for right now... being mindful of no other day/moment than today...
i see that he is working powerfully through those here who are so doing. I see Zach, JP, Smitty... Chris, Christine, Danielmatt... all of us being used to "flavor" our neighborhood.
Once again, I'm reminded of the need to plug your ears to all the things I'm not saying here. I can already hear the questions coming, like, "what then, are you saying we're not supposed to DO anything?" and, "what if nothing happens? How long do we wait?". There are those who would scoff and say it's idealistic stuff, too. But ideals are lost on the cynicism of false adulthood. Jesus called us to childlikeness. that's the story and I'm stickin' to it.
So REPENT! Joyfully turn to a new life! Joyfully clear your busy christian calendars and get to know the old lady next door better. In listening to her, you'll find Jesus. He has been waiting for your visit...
...just BEING here.
What i mean is, for years now we've been in a transition from an approach to ministry that originates in an effort to DO for the Lord to an approach to LIFE that comes from Being In the Lord.
From "Ministry" to "Life"
From efforts directed by/originated in my perceptions, desires, thoughts... to those the Spirit leads me into...
The latter may still be strengthened by desires, thoughts, perceptions of my human mechanism, that is, my shell/container/sarx/flesh, but their origin is not mine... not my planning, alliances... just waited for in a vacuum of hope...
...and BEING there is so powerful. My days are filled, i mean FILLED, with powerful, transforming opportunities to engage God as he is working in people around me. Sometimes this looks like counseling, sometimes like prayer together, sometimes in deliverance ministry, sometimes in a healing (yesterday, i prayed for a two-year-old's allergic rash and it immediately went down), sometimes in wisdom, sometimes in folly, sometimes in jail, sometimes in singing, sometimes with basketball, sometimes in...
Who knows what God will do with us when we discipline ourselves out of the busy run of this world, set ourselves apart to wait on Him, and learn the contentment of Him being absolutely enough for right now... being mindful of no other day/moment than today...
i see that he is working powerfully through those here who are so doing. I see Zach, JP, Smitty... Chris, Christine, Danielmatt... all of us being used to "flavor" our neighborhood.
Once again, I'm reminded of the need to plug your ears to all the things I'm not saying here. I can already hear the questions coming, like, "what then, are you saying we're not supposed to DO anything?" and, "what if nothing happens? How long do we wait?". There are those who would scoff and say it's idealistic stuff, too. But ideals are lost on the cynicism of false adulthood. Jesus called us to childlikeness. that's the story and I'm stickin' to it.
So REPENT! Joyfully turn to a new life! Joyfully clear your busy christian calendars and get to know the old lady next door better. In listening to her, you'll find Jesus. He has been waiting for your visit...
Monday, May 30, 2005
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