Something to brighten your day.

The comedy of comedian Jeff Allen

Jamie Oliver is one of my heroes because of his amazing compassion and passion to fight obesity in England and now America. His message is simple and makes all the sense in the world. He recently won the 2010 TED (Technology, Education, Design) award. Listen to his speech here.

As most of you know I struggle with weight and I don't even eat much processed food.  I've kicked into working out again and I'm feeling better with more energy and hopefully the effort will begin to show around my waist.  My father's side of the family have always fought obesity mostly because of the fatty Dutch cooking, over-sized portions, lack of personal discipline when it comes to eating and laziness when it comes to proper exercise.  It is no wonder that diabetes and heart-related illness was rampant.  I refuse to be one of those statistics in my family.  I want to be held accountable to taking care of the temple of the Holy Spirit that God has given me. (1 Cor 6:19-20)

'til next time
akd

Here's a great 30 second clip on what it means that the church is missional.

What Does It Mean to Be Missional? from The Resurgence on Vimeo.

Good question and I hear it from some folks from time to time especially as we move into a new visioning process for the church.  I think the answer to this question should be reasonably convincing of the dire necessity of helping the church move toward a common agreed upon vision.

My answer begins with Proverbs 29:18, "Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint..." (ESV).  Really it can be translated, "When there is no prophetic vision..."  That's a big deal.  When people in the church don't know or at least have a sense of where God is directing and leading, they wander and even go their own way.  It reminds me of what Jesus said about being the good shepherd and Isaiah who said how we all like sheep have all gone astray.  Without God we do our own thing, which according to the apostle Paul is usually along the lines of selfish ambition and not in line with God's desires (Romans 3:9-18).

Here are the advantages of a clearly defined vision for the church which should support the mission of God (Missio Dei).  I agree with Andy Stanley when it comes to the value of vision in the church.  He outlines the 4 key things that a vision weaves into our daily experience:

1. Vision evokes emotion.  There's a sense of an anticipated future where we are partners with God in his kingdom work.
2. Vision provides motivation.  The mundane begins to matter.  The details, chores and routines of life become a worthwile means to a planned-for end.
3. Vision sets a direction for our lives.  It serves as a road map.  In this way, vision simplifies decision making.  Anything that moves us toward the realization of our vision gets a green light.  Everything else is approached with caution.
4. Vision translates into purpose.  A visiong gives you a reason to get up on the morning.  If you don't show up, something important won't be accomplished.  Suddenly you matter.  You matter a lot!   (Andy Stanley, Visioneering pp.9-12).

If you read Andy's book Visioneering: God's Blueprint for Developing and Maintaining Vision, you will see him unfold the ministry of Nehemiah in a powerful correlating way to our current endeavors as a church body.

The bottom line is I don't want to see the great energy, gifts and passion in our church come to nothing.  I believe God is setting before us a course for which we are most passionate about, equipped for and which will suite our giftings the best in order to work to our utmost in his kingdom.

'til next time,

akd

Why You May Want to Think Twice About Bottled Water.

Presented by Online Education Click the pic to see it in full size.

Here is a wonderful Advent meditation by Christine Sine

Awaiting the Christ Child

In a recent blog I mentioned a guy named Shane Claiborne who wrote Irresitible Revolution a book about Christianity with legs, hands and a mouth.  He is very much about bringing the message that Christians must be REAL in the way the live in the name of Jesus.  He's a very kingdom minded guy although I may not totally agree with all he says -- filter, remember?  Well, Shane was given a great opportunity to speak his piece to a large segment of the male population through Esquire magazine.  Esquire magazine’s end of the year “Best and Brightest” edition named him one of the “Radicals and Rebels Who Are Changing the World”… So he wrote a letter to non-Christians called ....What if Jesus Meant all that Stuff?

I've reposted it, but you may go straight to the site to read it as well HERE.

Be sure to click "read more >"  at the bottom of this article to get the whole story.

What If Jesus Meant All That Stuff?

This radical Christian's ministry for the poor, The Simple Way, has gotten him in some trouble with his fellow Evangelicals. We asked him to address those who don't believe.

To all my nonbelieving, sort-of-believing, and used-to-be-believing friends: I feel like I should begin with a confession. I am sorry that so often the biggest obstacle to God has been Christians. Christians who have had so much to say with our mouths and so little to show with our lives. I am sorry that so often we have forgotten the Christ of our Christianity.

Forgive us. Forgive us for the embarrassing things we have done in the name of God.

The other night I headed into downtown Philly for a stroll with some friends from out of town. We walked down to Penn's Landing along the river, where there are street performers, artists, musicians. We passed a great magician who did some pretty sweet tricks like pour change out of his iPhone, and then there was a preacher. He wasn't quite as captivating as the magician. He stood on a box, yelling into a microphone, and beside him was a coffin with a fake dead body inside. He talked about how we are all going to die and go to hell if we don't know Jesus.

Okay, in response to a number of people who attended our Understanding Islam sessions with our guest pastor, I would like to give some guidance.

We, as Christians must learn to filter what we hear through the ears and eyes of how we understand the Bible and its teachings. It was quite evident already when I first met the pastor, that he is from a very charismatic, Pentecostal theological background. During our conversations and his presentations that became very apparent. That is not a bad thing mind you because we learn from one another's traditions. But what is necessary is to discern what is of value and what are opinions of the speaker or understandings of scripture that differ from ours.

While I appreciated much of what he taught regarding Islam and how we should love Muslims and pray for their salvation, I personally struggled with his political opinions and in particular some misquoted scripture such as regarding how we should view our current government. Both the apostle Paul and Peter tell us to submit to the governments as being God's will for us to do so (1 Peter 2:13-15; Romans 13:1-7). Paul especially makes it clear that God is the only authority who establishes governments under his authority, so we must obey them.  There were other moments of misquotation that I was also concerned about.

I urge you as your pastor to always discern what is being said through solid biblical glasses and a sound interpretation of scripture. If you are not sure, please talk with me. I am more than happy to sit with you and talk about these things and explore scripture wherever necessary. I know that we come from a solid tradition of sound biblical interpretation.  What I appreciate about scipture the most is how it calls us to act in grace in all circumstances even when we disagree.

It's at times like this that it is valuable to remember….

Without the Word dwelling richly in your heart your life filters will let too much through and contaminate even the good stuff.

'til next time.