The season of Lent is beginning this Wednesday. This is a wonderful opportunity to structure our days leading up to Easter. There are many things you can do, the least of which is a regular intake of the scriptures. Why not take the time to prepare for Easter and allow the Jesus narratives to impact you.
Here's one way to keep focused: a daily reading plan. Check out this link, sign up and journey with Jesus' story towards the cross.
I'd also encourage you to remove something from your daily routine. This can be anything you feel tied to, but know that you can live without for a period of time. I.E. TV, Sweets, Coffee, junk food, gossip, overtime, etc. See how refreshing it can be to use that time and space for God to do something in you.
JM
Friday, February 17, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Evangelism by Jealousy
Nathan, a friend of mine and collaborator with my (favorite) cousin joe, talks about evangelism in a way that really resonates with my heart. I've been thinking like this for a number of years now and am hoping we can create an aspect of this in our forming community - '_____' church - as well.
Evangelism by Jealousy
Evangelism by Jealousy
Martha & Mary
I had the privilege of serving a family this past week as they walked through the tough journey of burying their Mother (3 wonderful adult children) & Wife (of a very humble and intelligent husband) who passed at the (young) age of 62. I had not previously met this family, but was connected through a neighbour/friend. Because I've lost 3 parents (in a 2+ year span a few years ago) I really empathize with adult children who go through the same thing.
I was never able to meet the woman who's life we celebrated, but through her family and friends got a vivid picture of who she was. She loved preparing meals, baking cakes, decorating and making her home or rented cottage a place for people to gather and celebrate. Her cakes were professional quality, her passion for life was evident and her love for family & friends was through the roof.
At her memorial gathering I couldn't help but share a story from Luke's version of the gospel. Not a typical funeral text. It's the one about Martha & Mary; Martha is preparing the food and getting things ready, while Mary is hanging out at Jesus' feet. The interesting part of this story is that Jesus' makes a point by emphasizing Mary's priorities over Martha's. Jesus says (and I paraphrase) that Mary's choice of staying by Jesus' side is better than Martha's choice of dinner prep.
It's often been said (preached) that we should be more like Mary and less like Martha. But I have a hard time with that. I understand that there are people who can't get out of the kitchen (so to speak) long enough to enjoy relationships with loved ones, but I also value those who make me dinner and prepare evenings of celebration and food (i.e. my wife). Let's remember that Jesus chose a 'meal' to be the last significant event before he journeyed to the cross. He obviously appreciated the hands that put the meal together.
Back to our 62 year old mother/wife. In a special way, she depicted both characters in this story. She made the food, decorated the house, and had everything ready for dinner, while at the same time new when to put the apron down and spend time with her family. This is a quote from one of her children, “She didn't want to waste family time by doing dishes....she insisted we leave the dishes and enjoy the visit....dishes could be done later.”
Some of us like tasks, others of us love people, and some special people out there can actually manage both. God bless them for that. (i.e. my wife also has to get a mention here).
So what about Luke's story? Why should Martha get a bad wrap? Let's broaden our perspective. If all we do is spend time on tasks and checking items off our to do list and never get around to spending time with the people we love (Jesus included) then we'll miss out on the most important relationships - God, family, friends. If all we do is hang out with people or...hang out with God in some prayer closet, we're missing out on some important and life changing missional tasks that God has planned for us, not to mention the needed preparation to put on meaningful gatherings with friends, family and our church community. As much as we are gifted to do different things, we must be balanced between doing & being. There is the 'presence' side to our faith & relationships and there's a 'participation' side to it as well. Let's do our best to get both in. If we do, we'll probably be close to the 'FULL' life that Jesus talked about in another other gospel story.
I was never able to meet the woman who's life we celebrated, but through her family and friends got a vivid picture of who she was. She loved preparing meals, baking cakes, decorating and making her home or rented cottage a place for people to gather and celebrate. Her cakes were professional quality, her passion for life was evident and her love for family & friends was through the roof.
At her memorial gathering I couldn't help but share a story from Luke's version of the gospel. Not a typical funeral text. It's the one about Martha & Mary; Martha is preparing the food and getting things ready, while Mary is hanging out at Jesus' feet. The interesting part of this story is that Jesus' makes a point by emphasizing Mary's priorities over Martha's. Jesus says (and I paraphrase) that Mary's choice of staying by Jesus' side is better than Martha's choice of dinner prep.
It's often been said (preached) that we should be more like Mary and less like Martha. But I have a hard time with that. I understand that there are people who can't get out of the kitchen (so to speak) long enough to enjoy relationships with loved ones, but I also value those who make me dinner and prepare evenings of celebration and food (i.e. my wife). Let's remember that Jesus chose a 'meal' to be the last significant event before he journeyed to the cross. He obviously appreciated the hands that put the meal together.
Back to our 62 year old mother/wife. In a special way, she depicted both characters in this story. She made the food, decorated the house, and had everything ready for dinner, while at the same time new when to put the apron down and spend time with her family. This is a quote from one of her children, “She didn't want to waste family time by doing dishes....she insisted we leave the dishes and enjoy the visit....dishes could be done later.”
Some of us like tasks, others of us love people, and some special people out there can actually manage both. God bless them for that. (i.e. my wife also has to get a mention here).
So what about Luke's story? Why should Martha get a bad wrap? Let's broaden our perspective. If all we do is spend time on tasks and checking items off our to do list and never get around to spending time with the people we love (Jesus included) then we'll miss out on the most important relationships - God, family, friends. If all we do is hang out with people or...hang out with God in some prayer closet, we're missing out on some important and life changing missional tasks that God has planned for us, not to mention the needed preparation to put on meaningful gatherings with friends, family and our church community. As much as we are gifted to do different things, we must be balanced between doing & being. There is the 'presence' side to our faith & relationships and there's a 'participation' side to it as well. Let's do our best to get both in. If we do, we'll probably be close to the 'FULL' life that Jesus talked about in another other gospel story.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Tiger Woods is a victim of his own high standards | The Augusta Chronicle
As some may know, I'm a big Golf nut. And yes, I'm a fan of Tiger Woods. Why? Cause he really is the best golfer & athlete I've ever watched. Even in this so called slump and rebuilding of his career he's been bette than most. This article linked below says it best. This post is a little different than my normal musings, but I thought I'd throw it in the mix too.
Tiger Woods is a victim of his own high standards | The Augusta Chronicle
Tiger Woods is a victim of his own high standards | The Augusta Chronicle
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