News from February 2012

When Jesus Asks You to be Crazy

February 23, 2012

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” – Mark 11:1–3

I’m not sure what I would do if Jesus ever asked me to steal a horse. I mean stealing is bad right? And whats worse – he tells these guys that if they get caught and anyone challenges them on this they need to turn their heads up from where they are untying this animal, stare this person in the face and say “The Lord has need of it.”

Try to form a mental picture of that in which they DON‘T look crazy. Or imagine you catch someone trying to steal your car, and when you ask them what they are doing they say to you “The Lord has need of it, he’ll bring it back when he is done.”

Right. That’s a one way ticket to a padded room.

It’s interesting though, to imagine what I would do in the circumstance…if I was with Jesus, and He asked me to do something downright crazy. How easy would it be for me to run the instructions of Jesus through some sort of “logic filter” – and if at the end of the day my answer sounds something like “that just doesn’t make sense” – I probably wouldn’t do it at all.

Now of course there is a process to discerning the will of God, that must be done in community and with wisdom and testing things against scripture….but some of the stories in scripture are just downright crazy, and I’m not sure that I would want to be a part of them.

I think at the end of it all…whether I want to admit it or not..there is a limit to what I’m willing to let Jesus ask me to do. If being obedient also means I can preserve my reputation or that which is important to me, then i think I could be one of the most willing servants that Jesus has ever had…but if I have to look like a crazy person…that’s another story.

Jesus this morning I want to just ask that you would give me the courage to follow you with reckless abandon. I don’t want to limit your calling in my life by my own pathetic logic and rationale, would you help my heart to be surrendered to you always, not just when I think it makes sense.

February 22, 2012

“Again, crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.

Mark 10 : 1

Countless times Jesus is caught in the flood of people who desire to see him and witness him in action. I can’t help but think of the paparazzi waiting for hours just to snap a picture.

Unlike the actors, Jesus doesn’t try to make a break for it or lose it on these people. He whole heartedly desires to be with them.

What are my customs when I am met by new people? I try to always be nice and polite, but there are times when I am so quick to judge.

There is a guy who I work with who loves to swear. I don’t put any effort in getting to know him because I THINK that I know what he’s about and can’t be bothered.

Father, shame on me. I really enjoy people and getting to know them but if they are closed and rude, I don’t give them a chance. I won’t even say hi.

I pray that you will help me to stay at the table. The truth is that you died for this guy at work and he is worth my time.

Amen.

February 21, 2012

Mark 9:22–24

The evil spirit often makes him fall into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us. Do something if you can. “What do you mean if you can?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly replied, “I do believe but help me not to doubt.”

This would be me. I hate to admit that… but it would. I believe but I doubt. I think that too often when I pray I forget that God is all powerful. I don’t pray for big miracles. I don’t always pray prayers that would seem difficult or challenging to the average human being… and deep down I think it’s because I am saying “If you can.” Quite often it is because I am saying “If you want to.”

Either way, I know that doubt has the ability to creep into my human brain and take over and I end up losing faith in the great works that God could do, if I just asked.

I know God is all powerful.

I know He answers prayer.

I have seen miracles.

So why does doubt have this power over me?

Father, I am sorry that at times I doubt .. even when I don’t think I am. I think that in my life I don’t ever think the thoughts “oh I doubt He can”, I believe it’s more in my actions and the way that I pray. I do not ask you for big things. I don’t even try. So God may I pray “non-doubting” prayers. May I be bold in my asks of you; in my praise of you. Lord forgive me. God you are so good. May I glorify you today. I love you. Amen.

February 20, 2012

Mark 8:34–39

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and
said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their
cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life
will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will
save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their
soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed
of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man
will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy
angels.”

Jesus has gathered the people around himself to tell them
about how to be a true follower, how to be in surrender to the calling on the
people. But what does it really look like to surrender? It’s easy to say that I
will surrender to God’s plan; I will surrender to what he wants for my life.
But those are just words, and what are words without actions to follow up with.
It appears that Jesus is laying out what a person would need to do to be
surrendered to God:

- Pick up your cross

- Lose your life for the gospel

- Don’t forfeit your soul for things of this world

- Don’t be ashamed of Jesus

I don’t think that surrender comes naturally. I think that
it is only a gift, or a strength given by God. At my core I know that my desires
are sinful and selfish; we are living in the “me” generation. But, regardless
of that, we are coming up against powers much stronger than ourselves saying
not to do it… what if I get hurt, what if I lose my security, what if I die! Exactly.
What if I die?

God, I pray that I would be surrendered to your calling, but
not by my power, but by yours alone. Would I be one who would gladly carry my
cross. Would I be one who would not seek after personal gain. Would I be one
who is not ashamed of my God, Jesus, and would I be one who would be willing to
lose my life for the sake of the gospel. I cannot do this alone. When I face
the circumstances in my life that I need to make the decision, would you strengthen
my faith and my love you for, that I may easily surrender to the calling you
have on my life. Thank you for the strength you have already provided, let me
use my gifting’s and blessings well. I love you.

Kelsey

February 7, 2012

“but when the leading priests and other leaders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. “Don’t you hear their many charges against?” PIlate demanded. But Jesus said nothing, much to the governor’s great surprise.”

Matthew 27:12–14

I am not quite sure why this verse stood out to me this morning but I just couldn’t shake the image.

It is a very powerful image. I think one of humility and submission. I can just picture the priests in front of Pilate .. all yelling, talking over on another, riled up, accusing Jesus of crimes He did not commit.

I think it would be difficult to remain silent. Knowing you are innocent wouldn’t you want to defend yourself? I know I would.

It reminds me of a game we play at youth sometimes called Mafia. There is a point in every round of the game where someone is accused of being “Mafia”. They always have a chance to defend themselves, to create an alibi .. people rarely pass up the opportunity to save themselves; to prove they are innocent .. even if they are not.

What a beautiful image Jesus paints. He knows He must die. He knows that is what He was born to do. But He’s still human; He may have wanted to defend himself and yet He wants His Father’s will more. So He remains silent.

Father, thank you for Your Son. Thank You for His sacrifice. Lord today I am reminded by this passage of my need to trust You; of my need to submit to Your will. For Your ways are higher! Your will and plan is greater and far better than mine will ever be.

So Father, may I take this posture of Jesus; this silent posture. One that is submissive to Your will and the work You are doing in my life.

Father, I love You! May I glorify and seek You in all I do today. Amen.

February 6, 2012

At the beginning of the month we all get our new “Reading
Guides” and follow them throughout the next month reading scripture. After I did my reading today
I spent a little bit of time focusing on the back side: Top 10 List, 3D Lives,
and Goals…

I normally just move my Top 10 people over from the last
month to the current month, toss it in my bible as a book mark and carry on. Today I kind of just let it all linger… As I wrote down my Top 10 people that need to say “Yes” to
Jesus, I thought about each one, where they were on their journey, when the
last time I saw them was, when the last time I said Jesus to them, and some
ways that I would be a stronger “Jesus” influence in their lives. Some people
on my list are very close to me like my family; I see them every day and try to
pray for their salvation every day. But then I have people on my list that I
don’t see, or won’t ever see (I don’t think) again. These people I have on my
list (there is two) so that I can pray for Jesus in their life, and I have them
there also as a reminder to FORGIVE them every day. Seventy times seven. These
are people I can be jealous of, hold grudges against that have hurt my family,
or hurt me. I NEED to pray for them.

I am really remembering how important prayer is. In today’s
readying (Matt 26) Jesus prayed to God for him to take the cup, but then after his 3 times of prayer he seems much more “at peace” with his coming death. God takes our little prayers and makes them BIG.

I don’t normally write in my Goal List, but I am going to really try this month. My first goal: pray for my top ten list daily.

God, I can’t do everything, but I can pray. The people on my
top ten list come from so many different walks of life, some of them already
know you but are struggling through some tough times and I just want to keep praying
for them. So many people on my list are family, God I so so soooooo badly want
them to come to know you. How cool it would be just to be able to celebrate and
worship you together. And God, there are people I have to pray to forgive
daily, I put them on my list because a part of forgiveness is to pray blessing
into someone’s life. I pray you would bless those two today, would they know
you, and have such a wonderful life. God, please help me to pray, help me to be
diligent in praying for those on my list. Thank you for all the people who pray
for me as well, would you bless them in abundance today.

I love you,
Kelsey

February 3, 2012

34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me’.

37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:34–40

Servanthood – that’s what Jesus calls me to…but not out of obligation, but out of a heart deeply saturated in love for Him and for others.

Am I living, am I serving out of obligation, out of fear of messing up and not measuring up? Or am I living, am I serving out of this love…the love that the Father has lavished on me, the love of the Son who gave up His life willingly for me?

Is this the love that I come with to people, is this the heart that I serve out of?

Love is not love if it is saturated in, if it is motivated by fear and guilt… Do I know this love, I mean really know this love, that it motivates me, that it spurs me on to love and serve others…Relentlessly? At cost to myself?

I get so caught up in my world that I often fail to see the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick, those in prison…I fail to see Jesus…and if I fail to see them…how can I love them, how can I serve them, how can I be Jesus to them?

Jesus, my eyes are so easily blinded. Help me to see you, help me to see these you call me to love and to serve. Forgive me for turning a blind eye, for walking past and refusing to engage…Give me your eyes, give me your heart…Love through me Jesus, in your Name, I pray, Amen.

Erin

February 1, 2012

“Listen to me, if you will. I will pay the price of the field. Accept it from me so I can bury my dead there.”

Genesis 23 : 13

Abraham is in conversation wit h Ephron of the Hittites about acquiring some land to bury the dead. Ephron tells Abraham to just take the land as a friend but Abraham insists on paying. Its like they’re stuck in a battle of generosity and who can be more giving.

As I’ve been walking through Genesis, I notice a certain stubbornness to Abraham. In Genesis 18, he pleads with God again and again to not destroy Sodom and here he is again forcing money on Ephron.

I think that Abrahams actions aren’t so stubborn as they are honorable. There is such a deep care behind his actions, something that has been lost over the course of time.

Father, help me to care to the point where its almost silly. But I pray that it wouldn’t be looked at as humerous, but rooted in a deep love. That is my prayer this morning Father. That love would triumph over all. may we just feel enveloped by it, to the point where it’s almost silly.

I love you God,

Amen.

This is Love...

Date Posted: May 18 2012 by Erin MacIntosh
The Secure Place.

Date Posted: May 17 2012 by Brian Hawkins
A challenge.

Date Posted: May 16 2012 by Kyle Dyck
Thoughts and Thanks

Date Posted: May 15 2012 by Alecia Klassen