Why Jesus Came (In His Own Words)

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” ~ Mark 1:38

“Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ~ Matthew 20:26-28 (also Mark 10:45)

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” ~ Luke 19:10

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.” ~ John 12:27

“‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate. Jesus answered, ‘You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’” ~ John 18:37

The incarnation of the Son of God is miraculous and wonderful in so many ways … but if the Story ends at the manger, or even in Egypt, then it is only a partial telling of the miracle and wonder; it only hints at the purpose.

For His purpose as stated is much the same as ours:

• To preach good news
• To be a servant; to give up our lives in service
• To seek and save the lost
• To face the hour of sacrifice with courage
• To testify to the truth

Long ago the Preacher opined, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Jesus knew His time and His purpose. We who believe should, too.

Our time is now.

Our purpose is His.

A Little Faith is Worth Something

Meditations on Faith after reading Colossians chapter 1
-Chris Gonzalez

A little faith is worth something, spotted and tattered as it may be. It is worth something because it exists. There is no better case against the forces of Evil than the existence of faith…faith in any condition or size.

Evil has a no tolerance policy on faith and therefore any little scrap of it is an affront. A little quivering, gelatinous splotch of faith is all that is needed to thrown Evil into a four-alarm emergency. Faith is so much a threat to Evil that it cannot justifiably and comfortably exist if even one person has one ounce of it. The threat that faith poses to Evil is so striking and so profound that it is like a giant lumbering through a land of tiny, tiny people. It could crush evil, even without trying. Faith, its mere presence, even in its weakest form, keeps Evil awake at night, mind racing, fearful of what to do about the problem. Frantic, manic and paranoid, Evil scurries about for solutions to this impossible problem of Faith.

What lie can be told to diminish faith?

What distraction can be concocted to have faith forgotten, even for a minute?

And yet, all Evil can do is defensively try to put out fires, all the while perplexed and frustrated as to how it is that these fires keep starting.

Evil’s endless movement to extinguish faith is merely a desperate attempt to justify its own existence. One instance of faith pronounces all of evil for all time irrelevant and meaningless. Evil loses when Faith exists. It is all or nothing. Faith may be beaten and bloodied by the wild and reckless flailing attacks of Evil, but Evil is constantly playing defense. Faith assaults Evil by existing. Faith does not have to actually do anything but exist in order to do damage to Evil. Faith with a sense of volition and agency sends Evil into a frenzied rush for the nuclear button. Faith in action takes Evil by the throat.

Oh ye of little faith, you wield a mighty power.

Diversity

Diversity

I always thougth diversity just happened.
I always thought that diversity was easy.
I always thought that diversity was someone else's job.

I knew that diversity is beautiful.

I knew that diversity is a sign of Christ.
I knew that diveristy fires us up.

I didn't know that diversity is intentional.
I didn't know that diversity is easiest when we start over.
I didn't know that diveristy means we change who we are.

Then I watched our praise team Sunday morning.

I realized that diversity is a gift of God.

How wonderful it is to preach for a church that is reflecting the diversity of our city.
How wonderful it is to be in a church that is more like our children's culture than mine.
How wonderful it is to have the chance to start over.

Reflections on Being A Dad

Today is my son's 17th birthday. What a joy it has been to see him grow in our home.
However, this post is probably more about me than him, and I guess I should begin by stating that. You can read on if you want, however as parents we do self reflection on our kids' important days at times.

I had a dad who was emotionally distant and didn't connect well with me or my brother. He was an atheist and had been a B-52 pilot in the Airforce. He was physically abused as a kid and I think in light of that he did a good job. However, he never missed our birthdays (except when he did a tour in Vietnam). He was at least present. Of course, as usuall I took my toys and went off to play with my friends. Didn't interact with him much. I always wondered if he felt it was a waste of his time to sacrifice a day to see me maybe 1 hour.

I guess I figured in my attempts to be a better dad and as a Christian, that was the least I could do.

I've so far been able to maintain that tradition. I think over the years that it wasn't hard. It is the right thing to do but I've met a lot of men who admit to not being consistent in their families.
Nathan's birthday comes in August when there are opportunities to speak at Family conferences. I remember last year backing out of a conference because they scheduled me to speak on his birthday, when I specifically said I would return home the night before. The secretary said, "Sorry, you'll have to miss," the director said, "No, we will change the date for you." It worked out. I actually met men at the conference who shared that they had missed their kid's birthday for a conference in the past. When I was working on my doctorate I missed the first day of a couple classes because I wanted to be there for his birthday. It really was a sacrifice and I had to work my tail off to catch up. Well--no more of a sacrifice than my dad was willing to make for me.

Hunter's birthday comes during one of the biggest national Biblical Scholar's conferences in the country. I make it 4 out of 8 years. I enjoy the conference. I also have many men tell me that they miss their kid's birthdays for the conference.

Caleb's comes one week after Lori's birthday, so there's never been a problem. Course, he's only four. I wonder what is coming down the pike.

It may seem like I am bragging and I don't mean to. I guess blogs are the place to talk about ourselves. I think how easy it is to say yes to speaking engagements. How easy it is to manipulate our kids and spouses by telling them "this is important," or by saying, "I'll make it up to you by doing..." However, I wonder if it is ever really worth the sacrifice. Jesus said, "What good will it be for a someone if they gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can a one give in exchange for their soul?" (Matt. 16:26) I wonder what would happen if we substituted family for sour (maybe made it plural instead of singular)?
Would it ever be worth the sacrifice?

Its not been that hard to say no the more I have done it. In actuality, I am fine and the opportunity to speak has always come around at a better and more convenient time. Even more, I have not ever wrestled with guilt when I have been gone and am preparing to speak or listen.

While this is self reflection I am hoping that some of you will at least take this to heart. Maybe your dad or parents weren't there for your special days. It doesn't matter that you understood (or were expected to understand). How did you feel? How would you have felt if they would have been there?

Maybe you have been there and are struggling to "be there." I hope this helps you. I hope you ask yourself and your families if it has been worth it. I hope you see what you have been missing.
You can change the future. You can be there. You can start a new tradition. Your kids will never criticize you for being there.

No one has left this life regretting being there for their families!

What is justice?

What does the word justice bring to mind? What did justice mean to Jesus?

I think of the words "fairness" and "equity" and "dignity" among others.

Today we're hosting Paul Kent from Habitat for Humanity Tulsa at the Green Country Event Center. We'll get his input on how our land or resources can be used to bring justice to those without adequate or affordable housing in Tulsa.

We're also hosting Linda Williamson, Chairman of the Board of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Tulsa. She is bringing her team and we'll also get their input on how we can participate in justice for Hispanic people in Tulsa.

As many of you know today is our monthly Friday prayer and fast day. I am cramming a handful of Lays potato chips in my mouth in preparation.

The Vice Principle at Reynolds High School has recently challenged me to be praying about our work to develop boys groups in the high school. She has also been leading a committee to do a Human Trafficking conference in May at the school. She asked me point blank if I had a team, as she does in her church, who will be on their knees about this. Basically, she said Satan dominates in this area and will protect his territory. It is exciting to see that we have good people and people of faith fighting for our kids in the public school. It is humbling as a dad of one of their students, to be convicted as to what I should already be doing.

It made me think about our abuse, human trafficking, and recovery ministries. We have people breaking free and trying to stay clean. Some stumble, others relapse, but all are putting their heads down and pushing forward. They daily say no to Satan, or at the least they give it their best shot.

And I forget to pray for them.

I have been concerned about the girls who live across the street from me. While I was in the yard yesterday I asked her what I have been wanting to ask for weeks, “Are those boys treating you with respect? You know you can always talk to us if you feel you are in over your head.” She smiled and said yes, walked away, and stopped. Then she said, “Thanks,” and went in the house. Funny thing was I could feel Satan telling me over and over again I was too busy to talk to her, she didn’t care, I needed to go about my business. I had to ask for courage to do this one little thing.

How hard it must be for others to say no to something that grips their heart, soul, and mind. Those who are saying no to daily addictions have more courage than I can imagine.

How about tomorrow we pray for all our brothers, sisters, friends, enemies, ministry leaders, and Zak, Kathy, and Lori. As everyone seeks the God of order in a world of chaos can we pray, miss a meal or two, and ask God to help the weak, empower the strong, and protect all of them as they love others more than themselves. I will send this out to the missionaries I prayed for today and help this thing become global.

1 Cor. 10:13 God will not let you be tempted beyond your strength (God is keeping Satan at bay) but with the temptation will provide a way of escape (God is pulling for you and me).

Have a good day today.

Agape

Earth Day Wednesday, April 22

This message is from Michael, co director of Alternatives for Simple Living www.simpleliving.org

How will you be spending Earth day? We hope you will be able to spend time enjoying creation and support efforts to encourage the wise stewardship of the planet earth.

A common comment these days is "Now is the time we need to start living more simply." Usually this comment is made in the context of the current economic situation, where people are losing their jobs and investment income.

That is a good reason, but I think the reason we need to live more simply is more than adapting to an economic downturn; it is about the survival of human life on earth. "Live simply so others
can simply live" says it clearly. We in the, so called, developed world cannot continue to consume in the fashion or amount we have grown accustomed to and expect that life on Earth will thrive let alone survive.

David Korten, in his new book, Agenda for a New Economy; From Phantom Wealth to Real Wealth writes, "Unless we are voluntary simplicity initiates, we are inclined to increase our consumption in tandem with growth in our income, placing an even greater burden on our planet. We often say with pride, "I can afford it," without asking whether Earth can afford it."

Earth Day asks if the planet can afford humankind's careless use of resources, particularly the extravagance of the richest third of the Earth's inhabitants. Our faith traditions ask whether we are being faithful managers or stewards of God's creation, and reflect back to us, that as we care for creation we are showing love to God and neighbor.

Have a great Earth Day,

Michael

Hello from Lubbock!

I'm staying with a high school friend and his family and enjoying reconnecting with them. I'm here for the ZOE Conference at the Monterey Church of Christ. I'm involved with ZOE because we help people break free from legalism and experience a new journey with Jesus Christ.

We help people with stepping stones like articles on Wineskins.org, conference experiences in worship, great speakers such as Mike Cope, Jeff Walling, Randy Harris, Scot McKnight, music in CD and printed sheet music for fresh approaches to worship, and a Growing Deeper Spirituality program. Check all this out at www.wineskins.org and www.zoegroup.org

Plans are to return to Tulsa Saturday night, and I'll be preaching Sunday on Matthew 5:38-42.

May our love with God grow deeper and passion for our world go wider.

--Greg

P.S. Here are the small group questions for this week:

Small Group Questions

Read Matthew 5:38-39

Tell about an experience you've had in your family, work, church where you've seen someone living out Jesus teaching.

Have there been times when your punishment or "justice" exceeded the wrong done? For example, for parents: can you tell about a time when the punishment you gave your children inappropriately exceeded their wrongdoing?

How can we live this teaching out in our homes, work, church, neighborhood?

Read Matthew 5:40-42

Tell about an experience you've had in your family, work, church where you've seen someone living out Jesus teaching.

How can your small group give to those who ask, share your "two coats" with someone in need, go the "extra mile"?

How can we pray for you?

Daniel Mwaza Fast

During Lent I'm on a Daniel Fast. No, not Daniel in the Bible.

My friend, Daniel Mwaza, in Uganda told me how to lose weight . . . He said, "Stop eating so much."

So I'm eating half of the normal American calorie intake (which about matches intake of half the world), with about 4 oz of protein a day.

I lived seven years in Uganda, and this fast helps me remember those days when I saw children in villages eat their one meal for the day, a handful of beans and some cassava (yucca root).

Fasting can heighten your awareness of God, lead to deeper prayer and discernment. It can also lead to poor brain function. I could barely make it through a seekers Bible study last night after our Neighborhood Kitchens meal, but God gave me the power to finish when we discussed from Mark 3 the way the evil spirits bowed down in the presence of Jesus. We saw that nothing can prevail against God, nothing.

The last few weeks have been a bittersweet whirlwind with my move to lead minister of Garnett Church of Christ and the exit of my friend and co-worker, our former lead minister Wade Hodges.

I'm very happy to preach and help lead this church under the guidance of our shepherds, the teamwork of a great staff, and in partnership with an incredible congregation that is seeing before us the greatest opportunity in decades--probably since the bus ministry--to reach out to our neighbors through Neighborhood Kitchens, Angel Food, Food Pantry, where we see hundreds of guests and fellow servants seeking the Lord, community, life.

We're also looking for a full-time children's minister and rebuilding a great ministry to children as well as continuing an incredible student ministry that Lance Newsom and Deanie Johnson and a band of volunteers run so very well.

Last night, a Garnett teacher taught class, filled with both children from families currently at Garnett and children of adult guests who are checking out what this community is all about. She was headed home and said she was hungry. We had fed more than 200 guests and our beloved Chef Roy was not there to stretch food like he normally does (he was home recovering from surgery). So we ran out of food, and this teacher had been last in line. She was heading home with her boys, hungry but smiling, another kind of fast for the sake of the kingdom and the mission of this congregation.

SPACE FOR GRACE

I walked past a van parked in front of a handicapped children's center recently. The symbol of a wheelchair was on a sticker on the window of the sliding door. It read, "Please, Leave Extra Room." Knowing that the people on board that van need extra space enables me to give it to them.

If, somehow, we could look into each other's heart, and if we then realized that everyone wears a sticker on the inside with a wheelchair and the message, "Please, Leave Extra Room." Wouldn't it be easy to give more space? And wouldn't we all be better neighbors, and employees, and husbands, and friends, and even enemies?

"Come to me," Jesus said, "All of you who have wheelchairs, and hang ups, and handicaps, and issues, and problems, and are outcast for whatever reasons.....I'll give you extra room."

That's grace...and we all need it. Today. Be gracious; leave extra room.

DO YOU FACEBOOK? JOIN MY GROUP "1st MONDAY" AND UNITE WITH US IN PRAYER.

What will 2009 bring?

Could you have imagined one year ago what 2008 would bring? Can you imagine what events will happen in your life in 2009, what will happen internationally?

What can you do in 2009 to be ready for the changes that will occur in your life and in the world? Since I was a child I have made personal goals at the beginning of each year. I no longer make personal goals but try to think about the communities I'm in and what our community goals will be.

Last night my family sat down to a beautifully prepared meal my wife made. Pork tenderloin wrapped around spinach and provolone cheese, sauteed peas, mushrooms, carrots, salad, and potatoes. Jill offered the children a copy of our family's one year Bible to read personally and suggested we read it together as well. We talked about what the year would bring, we discussed how we were getting our house in order individually and collectively.

Next week our church will have these discussions, sitting around meals, in offices, in coffee shops. I'll have these conversations with various ministry leaders, shepherds, fellow ministers at Garnett. I'll talk to Eric, Keith, Lara, and others on the ZOE team and we'll discern what God is leading us to in 2009. I'll meet with Jeff Krisman and talk about what will happen with Neighborhood Kitchens/Wednesday night meals at Garnett.

To begin this year, I'll also talk with Leonard Allen about what's going on with Leafwood/ACU Press that I can help with. We have a few cool things up our sleeves in all these areas. I'll check in with Clint Davis about Kibo's goals--he and I met yesterday in his yard, but for a different purpose: to cut a pesky tree that was damaging his house. I'm glad I'm down off that roof and the limb is safely down without breaking windows. We were proud of ourselves!

January is really about conversations of direction and purpose in the communities I live in. We don't make goals as much as we prepare ourselves for what could come, for what God is doing in the world. Will we be ready to face challenges that come, and what do we need to do and be to be ready? That question is more important than the goals we make. Are we shaped in the image of Christ? How do we do that so we're ready for opportunities and challenges that life and God bring our way?

So our exercise fitness, the way we eat, the way we daily pray, fast (or not), enter in Scripture and thought of fellow Christ followers, all serves the purpose of the communities of Christ followers I live in. For many years my goals were about fitness and Bible reading and books to get through and degrees to obtain, but those things all serve the end of my life becoming shaped into the image of Christ in the communities I'm in.

What communities do you need to talk to about what 2009 will look like? Enjoy talking and acting on those conversations.

May God bless those talks. Happy New Year 2009.

THE OFFENSE OF "HAPPY HOLIDAYS"

A MISSIONAL VIEW OF CHRISTIAN SYMBOLS

“Merry Christmas” offends these days. Christmas trees offend, and The Ten Commandments too. Symbols of Christianity are increasingly getting the thumbs down…if you haven’t noticed.

What’s the Christian’s response? How do we act and speak when our Bibles are contraband on campus, when our emblems are removed, when our buildings are denuded of their crosses? What will be your response when your daughter calls saying, “Mom. Can you bring me another shirt? The school counselor says I can’t wear the one I have on from the church retreat, because it offends some students?”

When Christian symbols move from politically incorrect to politically illegal what should we do? Hide them? Fight the officers who come to seize them? Litigate over our rosaries and crosses? It is a tough issue, but there is perhaps a clear answer in the Gospels.

The disciples of Jesus gawked, “What a marvelous sight! Jesus, just take a look at the magnificence of these stoned walls!” Oh, and yes, the walls were impressive. They were holy walls; representative of the Glory (read that God) of Israel. They stood for a mighty nation with a mighty God-YHWH.

Do we recall Jesus’ response? “Ho hum. Don’t be overly impressed, boys. They aren’t THAT important. Rome will roll them down one day.”

No images. No icons. Nothing we can point to or at and say, “There it is there, or here it is over here.” Nothing that we cling to besides YHWH. God has always warned us not to attach any significance to symbols. Within His clear desire for us to live free of spiritual icons, I submit that we’re being done a favor by our societal ‘enemies’.

When the highway patrolman pulls me over one day to fine me for the IXTHUS (The fish emblem) on my car, or my “REPENT OR BURN” bumper sticker (I don’t have one, by the way.) I’m going to be sad, but I’ll not fight. I’m going to take it as a grand opportunity to demonstrate what that emblem stood for–Jesus.

“Officer,” I might begin. “Removing that bumper sticker is something I’ve needed to do for a long time, actually. You’ve helped me a lot today.”

It is likely that he’ll be startled by such a response. “You looked a little surprised at my response, Officer. I'll bet that other Christians haven’t responded to you very kindly have they? I apologize. We’ve put too much emphasis on our symbols and not enough on how we treat people. I’m sorry, Sir. Hope you can overlook our failures. They don’t really reflect Jesus very well. We’ve sort of made a mess of doing that.”

How do you think such a reply might affect an unbeliever soured on holier-than-thou Popes and Pastors, sickened by begging televangelists, and immunized against traditional church attitudes? What power might be released by a genuine admission of sloppy righteousness coupled with a humble apology?

What will the world think when we separate ourselves from our images; when we are happy to hand over our portraits of Jesus, our lent wreaths, and our purple robed crosses, and happier yet to hand out bowls of hot soup and blankets on cold nights, lift sandbags against flooding river banks, hold the hands of the bereaved, and sit with the dying? What WILL the world think? I imagine they'll be shocked. They'll be taken aback. They may even be impressed, but....actually, why should we be care very much what they think? Isn't the greater question, "What will YHWH think?"

It is, and I believe we can know what He will think. Undoubtedly, He will be impressed saying, OH! My, what a marvelous sight! That will be both a happy and a holy day.”

For more thoughts on Missional Living: www.TheMissionalLife.com/blog

Humans Treated Like Objects

A couple of months ago I listened to the FBI and Sheriff's dept. do a presentation on human trafficking and underaged prostitution. I was at the regular Attny Gen. Sexual Assault Task Force meeting where we had been discussing "sex industries" and prostitution. Interesting conversation that most ministers don't have on a regular basis. I would have to say that the team I work with (about 15) have opened my eyes to a world of evil that I never learned about.

The FBI presentation blew me away.

As stated in an earlier post, "I live in America for cryin out loud. How can we have one of the highest human trafficking problems in the world?" We rank up there with many other countries.
During the presentation I emailed the presenters and asked what the faith community can do. I got a response that afternoon.

I met Keith the next week. Keith is a deputy sheriff and head of the Human Trafficking Task Force for the county. I listened as he shared how this problem had become so big. Even worse, the schools have pimps preying on teen boys and girls. An underaged prostitute can bring over $200,000 per year to a pimp. One teen boy or girl can make a guy live better than 60% of people in our country (tax free). Even worse he shared how other major cities report to him that Portland has become a feeder town for many other cities. The I-5 corridor is not only a major route for drugs, it is also for girls, boys, and women from many countries.

Keith shared that he has to take sedatives to sleep sometimes because of what he sees.

He shared some of the dark stories worldwide that he sees and reads about.

He mapped out a plan that a church could do to help.

He has a lot of government money for awareness and training but little for actual aid for those fleeing a pimp. He wants to train people to share with faith communities.

He shared with me that some stores sold "Pimp and Ho" Halloween costumes for 11-14 yr old kids. This evil is glammorized.

He asked me to accompany him to one of the high schools to talk about this. I did and the school has developed a committee to do a one day workshop with the students. My son goes to this school. I walked away realizing that God works in the public schools.

I prayed for him as we left the meeting. He is a man of great courage.

He said something else that stuck. "I entered this thinking it was an easy place to retire. I had my eyes opened. I hope that when I die I help as many as possible to be free. That's what is important to me." Sounds like something Jesus, Paul, and Peter would have said.

I never heard him talk about church. He never mentioned his faith tradition. He didn't talk about the church being a big help in this issue. He just asked for our help.

Once again I saw God working in a world of evil. I see that God will work and I have seen some of Jesus's soldiers forming for battle.

Two women have been watching movies and documentaries about this issue. They have been writing about it on their My Space and Face Book. I found this out when I came home and told Lori about our meeting. These are ready to act. One attends Agape. The other is a college student who will join us in the summer to intern with Lori. Keith needs people to liason, be trained, and speak to local organizations/churches about working on the task force. I shared this with them. They are ready.

God is working in the strangest of places-. I shouldn't be surprised--it is My Father's World.

The UN has designated this year as a focus on human rights in communities. I was asked to participate on a panel at the Portland City Hall concerning domestic violence. I sat with 5 other professionals to talk and then participate in Q and A.

One of the panelists, who was Vietnamese, shared her story about being at a store purchasing a tent. The store was out and the sales associate called the manager over to ask what she should do since the tent was on sale. The Vietnamese woman spoke perfect English. When the manager came over she said loudly, "If youuuu come back Monday we have tent for you..." and she made a triangle sign with her fingers. Stacy very politely smilled and said, "Thank you very much, I will come back Monday to pick the tent up." The manager began to apologize. Stacey's daughter asked, "Mommy, why did that lady make a triangle sign and talk to us loudly."

Another panelist is a PhD. at Oregon Health and Sciences Univeristy and as a psychologist does research and work with women at prisons. She was born in Iran and moved here when she was 5. She shared stories of how the police have treated her and how she has been treated since 9-11.

Both these women are leaders in Portland in addressing domestic abuse among women. They are highly qualified in their fields.

I listened to these stories and thought, "I live in America for cryin out loud! How in the world can a country that prides itself in social justice, welcoming the poor and hurting, and freedom still be dealing with this issue? We're supposed to be a Christian nation."

Then I remembered the movie Crash.

Then they talked about their expeirences with churches. They talked about the victims they work with and their churches. Needless to say it was not positive.

When it was my turn to talk about faith communities and working with abusive men I had to agree with most of what the panel said. I think they appreciated it. Many of our churches are like our country--they do not listen to the little people. I think this is why Christianity is declining in America. The little people are leaving.

I hear a lot of white middle class males tell me that the most discrimitated against people in America are white middle class males. Maybe they should listen to other people, especially women, to hear their stories. I've never felt discriminated against. Maybe my responsibility as a white middle class male is to stand up for those who are oppressed. Maybe my responsibility is to confront the oppressors and make sure I never become one. Make sure my 3 boys do not become oppressors as well.

Maybe we should just listen to other people.

However, at Agape we will seek to be like Jesus. He was unique in that he held children, touched children, spent time with slaves, and interacted with women. I think that must be why Mark and Luke want us to know that crowds followed him, pressed upon him, and listened to him. In Luke 15:1 after his challenging hard sermon about giving everything up to follow him (Luke 14:25-33) the sinners and tax collectors came forward. But the Pharisees and teachers of God's law stood back and scoffed at his ministry. Why not, his ministry was growing and their's wasn't.
We need more churches like Jesus' today. In spite of what the critics think.

It really matters what the little people think. They are the brothers and sisters of Jesus (Matthew 25).

First week of Advent

Today is the first day of Advent. The following format tells us about this practice but can also be used by families or groups, with younger people asking the question and others answering.

What is Advent?

Advent is a tradition of Christians that means "coming" and calls us to live in the tension of how Jews felt while waiting for the Messiah. They waited for Emmanuel, God with us.

What do we wait for?

We're waiting for the return of Jesus, but until he comes, we live expectantly as disciples who seek the light of Christ in a dark world.

Is that why we light candles?

Yes, four candles are lit, one each week. Some people make wreaths with four candles. My family has a block of wood that my sister gave us that says, "Jesus is the light of the world" and has space to put four votive candles. We've lit the first candle with family during Thanksgiving weekend and spoke about Jesus as our light who is coming.

Isn't this just a tradition of men and not biblical?

The return of Jesus is certainly biblical and Adventus is Latin translation for the Greek biblical word, "parousia," meaning second coming. So Advent is both a reminder of how the Jews waited for Messiah and also a reminder that we wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Here are the first two weeks of Advent, and we'll post next two later.

Make an Advent Wreath
Take a shallow bowl and fill with sand or salt and place four purple candles around the edges, or use candle holders. Place one large white candle in the middle. Make a circle of evergreens and place around the bowl or candle holders.

You need a Bible, matches, and you can also use a manger scene. Light one candle during this week’s reflection. The second week, light two, then three the third week and four the fourth. On Christmas Eve, light all and the middle white candle. Set aside some time each week for this short ceremony. Invite those who are alone to join you in worship. Use the telephone to join someone. Gather as a family or with friends.

First week of Advent: Read Isaiah 2:1-5; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44. Waiting for Advent also teaches us to wait for the return of Jesus. Light candle. Pray the Lord’s Prayer together.

Have a Family Meeting. Hold a family meeting to decide what your goals are for the holidays. What are your spending limits? Avoid debt. Put away credit cards.

Draw names. Consider drawing names rather than everyone giving something to everyone else in your giving circle. Set a budget. Don’t buy everything on a child’s list. Don’t rush out and get something for someone just because they got you something or to “equal” what you think they’ll get or to make the number of gifts equal. Consider giving the gift of time, a handmade gift.

Hope in a Bowl. Write down scriptures such as Isaiah 9:1-7 and Jeremiah 33:14-16—ones that announce coming of God’s redemption, Jesus the Messiah—on index cards. Drop the cards in a bowl. In the days leading up to Christmas, when you sit down to eat together, draw out a card and read the scripture.

Idea for 2nd Sunday of Advent – Dec 7
Light 2nd candle.

Read Luke 2:25-26
What is unique about this man?
Read the passage again. What word do you hear repeated. How many times?
Who is this man and what is he waiting for? What are we waiting for at Christmas?

Pray: Say the Lord’s Prayer together.

Do: With your Nativity scene at home . . . What if we hide Wise Men, Shepherds, Jesus until we read that part of the story closer to Christmas, then we put each person in as we read along?

We the Purple - Part 2

Marcia Ford is hilarious. Reminds me of writer and librarian, Marge Wood, who has written for Wineskins. Ford is giddy about the fact that independent voters have become a major political force, from around 10 percent in the 80s to more than 40 percent today.

This is a great development because it loosens the bounds to red and blue parties. She says, "The growing discomfort with the church's alignment with the Republican Party, coupled with a refreshing freedom to question the authority of our old-guard leaders, has awakened many evangelicals to the ramifications of that lockstep obedience.

Ford has mentioned Jim Wallis by page 17, showing once again Wallis's enormous influence in the past two decades that has ballooned since 2004.

I was waiting for this list, which is inevitable but also acknowledged as always somewhat inaccurate because purple voters by definition defy definition. I'm going to edit her list a bit, but here it is:

1. We're tired of two self-serving, self-promoting parties.
2. We are fine with voting for someone with no chance of winning.
3. We vote for the person not the party.
4. No chance we'll vote a straight party ticket.
5. We have decided to be independent; don't call us undecided.
6. Diverse opinions stimulates good debate.
7. And two major parties suppress this healthy debate.
8. We want government following the will of people, not manipulating it.
9. We want Ralph Nader to keep on running and keep on fighting and keep on debating, even if we don't vote for him. We probably need to apologize for that.
10. We're inconsistent, antiparty, and yet we welcome third-party voters and candidates to join us. No, not inconsistent but outsiders and we want other outsiders to join us--there, that's better.
11. We thank God for the internet. Atheists among us might thank Al Gore.
12. We believe the United States is better than this.

We the Purple

Marcia Ford is a kindred spirit in her journey politically, spiritually, and as a writer. She describes herself as "a book author, with 18 traditionally published books. I'm also a ghostwriter, though of course I can't talk specifically about those books; let's just say that I've ghostwritten or contributed to 12 additional books. I'm also a book editor, book reviewer, writing instructor, writing mentor, and journalist. I'm married with two adult daughters, and I have a special interest in postmodern spirituality."

This month, in leading up to the election, I'll be blogging through her new book, We the Purple. On the cover it says, "We are independent voters, neither Republican red nor Democratic blue. Many of us are people of faith who are tired of partisanship in the church."

Ford believes the time has come for the huge numbers of independent voters in the United States, and many politicians are listening to this group of voters pumping their fists and crying, "Be reasonable."

But before I launch into chapter one, here is a little ditty that comes to my mind and you can sing today to the tune of Kermit the Frog's "It's not easy being green."

It's not easy being Purple.

Having to spend each day the color of Republican and Democrats.

When I think it would be nicer being red, or blue, or green, or something more primary like that.

But purple's the color of a lavender field, or the color of the sunset kissing the clear blue sky.

And purple can be big like a MOUNTAIN's Majesty, or bold, like a river, or small like a flower.

I'm purple, and I think it's what I want to be.

Greg Taylor

Looking for mission opportunities?

Through my association with Uganda, Wineskins, ZOE, The Kibo Group, water projects, Neighborhood Kitchens, and Garnett Church of Christ, I hear about and participate in many non-profit projects and missions that are always needing funding. If you or your church would like to get involved in missions, donating or participating in amazing work serving God's children worldwide, please email me: gtaylor@garnettchurch.org or info@wineskins.org.

Greg Taylor

Running With or From the Pack?

The other night we watched the Olympic Womens' Marathon. Romania's Constantina Tomescu won the 26.2 mile race. She took a gamble and it paid off.

For the first 1 1/2 hours the pack of runners (about 25-30) stayed together and ran a slower pace than normal. Shortly after this Tomescu bolted ahead of the pack and held her lead for the final 45 minutes. Sometimes she was as far as 1 minute ahead of the pack. This was a gutsy move but one she has done often in previous marathons. However, no one from the pack chased after her until it was too late. The silver and bronze medalists narrowed the gap to 20 seconds but Tomescu was already on the track kicking it in for a finish.

I guess I appreciated Tomescu's race. Maybe it is because I tended to do that in races. You feel good, you bolt ahead, and hope the training pays off. Sometimes you crash and burn, sometimes you win. Tomescu's effort was risky because the pack could watch her. If she looks back, they see her as being tired and fading. She has no one to push her so she is tempted to slow down. It is mentally challenging to keep focused ahead and wonder where those behind you are. Fortunately the people on the side of the course tell you how far ahead you are. That helps, but you still wonder. Tomescu, however, kept a small pill of smelling salts to keep her focused on her pace.

Why do you leave the pack?

The pack is in a rut. The pack is going slower than record pace. The pack is being controlled by one or two people. The pack is waiting the inevitable--when two or three people with incredible speed kick the last 1/2 mile and leave everyone else in the dust. If you don't have leg speed, it is a matter of time until they leave you behind.

Running with the pack is safe. However, running with the pack forces the ones who feel strong, on that day, to slow down. They do not run their best race. They run someone else's race, usually the one or two in control of the pack.

I used this analogy in the sermon today. I believe that God is looking for people with the guts to bolt ahead and leave the pack. I believe that God has called people sometimes to break away from the pack. I believe that there are many in the church who have heard God's call to go for it and bolt into a life of evangelism, outreach, and incarnation. However, some listen to the voices that say "stay with the pack..."

I understand that we need to be united. I understand that we need to stick together. But I also understand that sometimes packs are controlled by people who are worried about how they finish, not how they run the whole race. Packs can help people get to the end, but they slow many others down.

We live in a country where Christianity is both declining and disrespected by many of those who are not disciples of Jesus. Partly (from what I hear from them) it is because we run in packs (called cliques) and holler at others to slow down. The packs reinforce traditions and ways of "running the race" that no longer work. But, the pack seems safe. However, when you run in a pack those who are faster have to slow down. You never run to your potential. You may finish, but you always know you could have done more. Packs can help some people run a good race, but packs can also cause people to run someone else's race--not God's.

Is there a spiritual application here?

You tell me.

Who are you voting for and why?

I'm trying to decide who to vote for. Each election year I decide between the candidates. Now, I know that sounds a bit mundane and you may wonder why I'm even saying that. Don't we all choose a candidate. Not really. Most voters are Republicans or Democrats. Most voters vote their party. Still, many people vote for "the man (or woman), not the party!"

So I'm an independent who leans toward Democratic views on some things (such as just war and not offensive military policy, more help for poor, education to help address society problems such as crime before they happen, cooperative not strident foreign policy) and Republican views on others (personal responsibility, less government, pro-life).

I'm about 70% Obama and 30% McCain. McCain has the burden of proof for my vote. I respect very much his military service, suffering as prisoner of war, and his years of service. I don't respect maverick personna that doesn't take advise well, it seems, and that doesn't bode well for a president at crucial moments.

So, I don't know yet who I'm voting for. I've watched speeches by Senator Obama, Governor Palin, and plan to listen to the speech tonight by Senator McCain.

I believe firmly that one ought to weigh the issues and the candidate's ideas and potential for leading our nation and our role in the world, rather than simply voting a party line.

I can understand that others have thought through the issues and picked a party, and they are sticking with it, regardless of the candidate. That's a form of weighing the issues as well, but I think we ought to keep sharp and up on the direction of parties and candidates and not allow political parties to co-opt Christians and use their votes to press a particular political agenda.

Who are you voting for in the November presidential election?

Why?