When we are afraid, when we do not know the way, and when we have lost our path our natural response is to retreat to the familiar. When courage asks us to move forward, the familiar woos us back to the place of safety and static.
On a week where the disciples denied, betrayed, and fled, it is not so uncommon for us to remember how they retreat to the older versions of themselves. I never knew the man - yes it seems that you still really don't.
Where have you retreated? Don't be shocked if it's a place of familiarity.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Relationships
Mosaic - Relationships
Matthew 27: 57-61
Some begin the journey and others end it with us. Hear the story of Joseph of Arimathea.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Resources
Mark 6: 34-44
Mosaic - Resources
What happens when God can take what little we may have and use it for the sake of someone else?
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Responsibility
John 14: 1-3
Mosaic: Responsibility - We are responsible for one another. Am I my brother's keeper? Yes, you are.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
we are the outsiders
In his new book, Deep and Wide, Andy Stanley looks at the mission of the church. One of the most thought provoking questions asked is, 'who is the church for?' It is not a shock that in the church today even though we are full aware of why Jesus came - (to seek and save the lost- Luke 9) and those who he came to call - (not the righteous, but sinners- Mark 2), most of the way we do things is for those who are already found. Our budgets, ministries, programs, or fill in the blank to whatever term your church may use, are all clearly around another mission; keeping those in the church happy. The most popular Christian book ever sold, other than the Bible, is The Purpose Driven Life. It begins by saying - "It's not about you." How is it that we can "know" this, but not actually practice it?
We have forgotten that it is not about those on the inside or the outside. For in fact, we are the outsiders. Let's stop having the conversation around reaching out or going outside of our building. Let's begin at the source and ask the tough question - why are we doing all of this stuff anyway? Is it for us or someone else? Maybe if we can look a little deeper we'll ultimately discover that there are no insiders or outsiders. We are all the outsiders.
The Outsiders - Needtobreathe
Shortfalls and little sins
Close calls where no one wins
Stand tall but running thin
I'm wearing thin
Oh, why are we keeping score?
'Cause if you're not laughing
Who is laughing now?
I've been wondering if we start sinking
Could we stand our ground?
And through everything we've learned
We've finally come to terms
We are the outsiders
We are the outsiders
We have forgotten that it is not about those on the inside or the outside. For in fact, we are the outsiders. Let's stop having the conversation around reaching out or going outside of our building. Let's begin at the source and ask the tough question - why are we doing all of this stuff anyway? Is it for us or someone else? Maybe if we can look a little deeper we'll ultimately discover that there are no insiders or outsiders. We are all the outsiders.
The Outsiders - Needtobreathe
Shortfalls and little sins
Close calls where no one wins
Stand tall but running thin
I'm wearing thin
Oh, why are we keeping score?
'Cause if you're not laughing
Who is laughing now?
I've been wondering if we start sinking
Could we stand our ground?
And through everything we've learned
We've finally come to terms
We are the outsiders
We are the outsiders
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Rejection
Mosaic Lenten Series
Rejection - Matthew 9: 9-13
Jesus - the rejected - goes to the rejected, and ultimately creates acceptance for you and me.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
a wee little man
It is unfortunate that we can only think of Zacchaeus as the 'wee little man' that we know him to be through the infamous Sunday school song. Poor guy. He is much more than that. No one ever sings about him being a 'son of Abraham', do they? This is what Jesus calls him. Why don't we sing about that?
There is a powerful word from the passage in Luke 19. It is the word, 'too'. In referencing him to be a 'son of Abraham', Jesus makes sure to use this word. Here is what it says from Luke 19:9 -
Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.
Why does Jesus speak like this? On whose behalf is he speaking for? Many might think that in the beautiful declaration that Jesus is speaking Zacchaeus' new identity into being. However, with the use of the word, 'too', he includes a different listener into his hearing. He is not so much speaking to Zacchaeus, but to others, even us.
How many times have we placed others on the outside of our category, group, or faith, while all along they were part of the 'too'. Jesus is inclusive on this point. He includes Zacchaeus as part of the great faith story that we share.
Who are those that we have tried to keep on the outside that Jesus has been trying to say to us, 'Yes, this person, too, is a Son/Daughter of Abraham'.
There is a powerful word from the passage in Luke 19. It is the word, 'too'. In referencing him to be a 'son of Abraham', Jesus makes sure to use this word. Here is what it says from Luke 19:9 -
Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.
Why does Jesus speak like this? On whose behalf is he speaking for? Many might think that in the beautiful declaration that Jesus is speaking Zacchaeus' new identity into being. However, with the use of the word, 'too', he includes a different listener into his hearing. He is not so much speaking to Zacchaeus, but to others, even us.
How many times have we placed others on the outside of our category, group, or faith, while all along they were part of the 'too'. Jesus is inclusive on this point. He includes Zacchaeus as part of the great faith story that we share.
Who are those that we have tried to keep on the outside that Jesus has been trying to say to us, 'Yes, this person, too, is a Son/Daughter of Abraham'.
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