how's He working?

Like a good boy, I was reading my Bible this week (the Gospel of Luke in fact), and I got to thinking. In Luke 7, Jesus is at work; He heals someone and raises someone from the dead. Then some disciples of John the Baptist report to John what they are seeing, and John sends them to Jesus to ask if He is the messiah who they have been waiting for. In Luke 7:21, 22, we read, "At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind. So he replied to the messengers [John disciples], 'Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.'" The proof Jesus chooses to report to John's disciples is seen in the results or actions of His ministry.

What got me thinking was this question: How would we answer someone today to show that God is working through what we do? If you are a Christ follower, how would you explain to others that Christ is working in your life, and in your community? What would you say? Answering that question makes me wonder how I am using my time, and how I could use it better. I believe that as we work toward starting a new faith community, God is working through us to draw people out of spiritual and social isolation. Spiritually lonely people are finding fellowship, and the lonely are being visited.

Drawing folks away from isolation is one thing I think He is doing through us here in Bellingham, but I think there is a lot more we can be doing. I don't feel guilty about this, but rather excited to see how He will use us as we continue to step out in faith, for His glory. What would it be like if we all "went for it" a little more, and stepped out of our comfortable relations and situations and gave a hand of compassion and a word of encouragement to those we feel like we "should" be reaching out to? It is cool to think about how God would use us, for His Kingdom.

mercy run

Here's a beautiful piece from Calvin's "Institutes" II.7.7+8. It speaks to God's mercy, in light of humanity's weakness. I found this passage encouraging, because we often try to make things happen to better ourselves or our situation, but by our own efforts we fall short. Despite our imperfections, we find perfection in Christ's grace.

Calvin in this section is speaking of the how the law is a mirror, where we see our deficiencies. He continues in II.7.7 saying, the law "gives a brighter display of the divine goodness... [and]additional sweetness is given to divine grace, which comes to our aid without the law, and additional loveliness to the mercy which confers it, because they proclaim that God is never weary in doing good, and in loading us with new gifts.

[II.7.8] "But while the unrighteousness and condemnation of all are attested by the law, it does not follow (if we make the proper use of it) that we are immediately to give up all hope and rush headlong on despair... The Apostle testifies that the law pronounces its sentence of condemnation in order “that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God,” (Rom. 3:19). In another place, however, the same Apostle declares, that “God has concluded them all in unbelief;” not that he might destroy all, or allow all to perish, but that “he might have mercy upon all,” (Rom. 11:32); in other words, that divesting themselves of an absurd opinion of their own virtue, they may perceive how they are wholly dependent on the hand of God; that feeling how naked and destitute they are, they may take refuge in his mercy, rely upon it, and cover themselves up entirely with it; renouncing all righteousness and merit, and clinging to mercy alone, as offered in Christ to all who long and look for it in true faith."

armor

A couple weeks ago I was invited to give an update on the church plant in a local church (Hope in Christ). Pastor Scott was preaching on Ephesians 6:19, 20. Prior to these verses, the Apostle Paul tells us to put on the armor of God. In preparing for the update I was reflecting on this armor. I believe when Christians hear or read this passage our thoughts automatically go toward defense, which begs the question: "Who are we defending against?" Some would say the devil or the world, which is true to a point. What happens is we put on this armor w/ a posture of defending ourselves against outsiders, we become xenophobic. We begin to build walls against the very people and institutions we are called to serve and love. I was encouraged that Scott's message was not about building up the defenses/staying put, but spreading the love of Christ.

After talking about the armor of God, Paul says in verse 19, "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel..." With the armor of God in mind, Paul asks that he could confidently proclaim the love of Christ. He was not staying put or being defensive, but stepping out in love. My prayer for those of us who are believers in Christ, is that we would go, that we would not stay put and fortify the walls, that we would confidently share the hope of Christ w/ those who do not know Him, sharing that God is for us and them not against us or them. We are not called to live in ghettos, but to share our lives and love w/ others, standing in the confidence that we are protected by God.

the run

This weekend we ran our half-marathon. It wasn't really just "our's", as there were 1,600 other people running. We ran in Leavenworth, WA, a beautiful spot. With a clear day, colors starting to come out, and a mountainous backdrop, we felt pretty good about the run. A few of our friends joined us, so it was a sweet time of hanging, running, and QT in the car.

Every time I finish a race it feels great, mostly b/c I can take a breather from training. The end marks the completion of a season of building up, of preparation, and sacrifice. Even though "our" race is over, I still feel I am in such a season. With my work, things are suddenly moving faster. Last week I was a part of starting 2 new small groups, while maintaining our Monday night Bible study. This week I start my 3rd week of working at the coffee house, and will begin mentoring some college guys, while getting ready to begin a couple other monthly groups w/ K8. It is not a season of resting, but building.

The autumn season seems to have this feel for many of us, things are more regular and routine and busy. My prayer for you, and me, is that as this season of building and busyness continues, we would take time to breathe, to rest in the midst of it, to spend a little QT w/ friends and family. My prayer is also that it would be a fruitful time of building, of seeing our savior in the midst of the busyness, to remained focused on what is most important in each moment. I am excited to see what fruit God brings forth as we step out and follow the callings He's placed on our lives. I'm also excited not to run for a couple weeks.

october prayer

Check out our latest prayer letter. Click the "prayer" link to the right to get to it. And, as always let me know how I can be praying for you. Thanks for your support and prayers.

working man

I'm loving the fall so far. I can handle this weather for sure, but I know that it will change. It is a season of transitions. Each of our summer rhythms are changing into new fall rhythms. Along w/ starting new small groups, beginning mentoring college guys, and continuing our Monday Bible study, I've starting working part time at a great neighborhood coffee house, The Firehouse Cafe (http://homepage.mac.com/mattchristman/firehouse/index.html). In my humble opinion, it is by far the best neighborhood hub, gathering neighbors and building community. I'll be working about 20 hours a week, and will see if this is too much this quarter (then adjust if necessary). I'm excited to have already begun meeting folks and develop new relationships. I figure I could knock on 50 doors, or work for a few hours and meet more people in a manner that is more organic, non-intrusive, and natural. I feel very blessed that God opened this door for me. You can pray that He would continue opening relational doors as I build deeper relationships w/ coworkers and regular customers.

lectio divina

While doing a tiny bit of research for a friend I stumbled upon this well worn gem called "lectio divina". It's an old Christian practice that beautifully, and meditatively, brings prayer and scripture reading together. It can be a powerful practice. I was reminded of it again while looking through the book "The Inner Room: A Journey into Lay Monasticism", by Mark Plaiss (2003). I think I may try to incorporate lectio divina into my week, and see how it goes. I invite you to join me, perhaps with reading the Psalms. Let me know how it goes if you do. Here's the excerpt from the book:

Chapter 12: More Prayer
“…Monasticism has a special tradition with scripture. That tradition is known as lectio divina, or holy reading. First and foremost, lectio is prayer. In lectio you do not so much read scripture as heart it with your heart. Lectio is not an academic exercise. In lectio you do not read scripture to decipher theology or prove a point. Lectio is not about knowing God, it is about experiencing God. Lectio is about listening.

Lectio is not a devotional. In a devotional, the person is active, petitioning, praising or beseeching God. The line of action goes from person to God. Lectio is just the opposite; God comes to the person and the person listens.

Lectio divina begins with a deep reverence for the Word. In Bible study, one may mark the text, underlining certain passages or scribbling comments in the margins of the page. That is not the case with lectio. Here, you do not impose your opinions or thoughts on the text.

You do not, however, simply grab a copy of the Bible, flop down in a chair, open the book and begin immediately to plow through Paul. Before entering into lectio, you cut yourself off from where you have been: going to another room of the house, leaving the house and going to church, stepping outside to the quiet of the yard or a park. Having found the appropriate site for prayer, you prepare your mind and soul for prayer. You take some deep breaths; you ask for God’s presence. One such prayer might be, “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of your love.” Many kneel or light candles as this prayer is prayed. The idea is that you are separating yourself – emotionally, physically, and spiritually – from what you had been doing prior to lectio.

You begin by reading the text slowly, and aloud, if desired. Reading aloud dispels distractions and helps to internalize the words being read. There is something about words rolling off the tongue that gives them more impact. You read until a certain word or phrase strikes a chord. That word or phrase is then repeated over and over, allowing it to seep into the soul. This rumination is the prayer. This is the essence of lectio. The chewing and the gnawing of the Word brings God into the depths of your being.

How much text should be covered in one reading? That is the beauty of lectio. There are no rules, and therefore no pressure, about the amount of text to be read at any one sitting. On time only a single verse may be covered. At another time only half of a verse may be read. Still other times several verses of scripture may be covered. Several months may be required to read an entire book of the Bible. The amount of text covered is never the issue. The issue is allowing whatever is read to be mulled over in the heart, allowing God to enter your being.

Although the amount of text to be covered is never important, consistently practicing lectio is important. Lectio should become a habit. Breaking open the Word should be a regular form of prayer…”