Thankful for Joy

I have not been a big Hawk Nelson fan in the past - probably no reason, just haven't taken the time to listen too much.  But as I attended the Rock and Worship Road Show the other night in KC, Hawk Nelson brought a smile to my face and some joy to my heart.  There own music was well done and fun, but just when you thought they were done, they came back out with mullet wigs and sang the Journey song -"Don't Stop Believin" The 80's rule!!!  Have you laughed recently?  I mean a seriously good laugh?  I know the Kingdom of God is reverent in may ways, but it is also a celebration, a party, a joyful time!  Rejoice!

Persuade

Acts 26:28 - King Agrippa asks Paul if he believes Paul can quickly persuade the king to become a follower of Jesus.  As we think about our role to be a witness to the work of God in our lives, we need to remember that for many people the persuading will not come quickly.  Too often followers of Jesus are known as people who will become someones friend in order to convert.  Some persuading efforts may be life long nudges towards Christ.  Some may never be fruitful in seeing conversion.  But we are not responsible for the results, we are only responsible for the nudges, responsibility to God, and to love others.
Who are you trying to persuade?  Are you praying for them or trying to win them by your own efforts?

Patience

In Acts 24 we can read about Paul spending time in a Roman jail while the Sadducee and Pharisees tried to get Paul convicted of a crime or released so they could get to him.  Paul had the opportunity to tell the crowds about Jesus, the Jewish leaders about Jesus and Roman rulers about Jesus.  God opened many doors for Paul.
Then it says that Paul spent about two years there in prison.  Two years!  I get impatient when things do not go my way for a day or two.  Maybe I think my plans are more important then they real are.  Ever been there?

Talking On and On

I was speaking at the SEK Juvenile Detention Center yesterday to a group of students - I guess they define captive audience - ha - and they were asking good questions and I was trying my best to have good answers - when I felt a hand on my shoulder and a voice telling me it was time.  My audience was not going anywhere, but my time was up.  I could have gone on and on talking about Jesus.  Now there have been days when I go out there and the students look at me with blank faces and I talk for about 20 to 30 minutes and then I just quit. When there is no response and no questions it is hard to go on and on.
In Acts 20 we read about Paul going on and on one night in teaching and a young man fell asleep.  Well, if you are going to fall asleep in church, make sure you are sitting between a couple of people who will catch you if you start to fall.  This young man we sitting in the back in a windowsill and fell to his death.  Paul was used by God to restore life to the young man and then Paul went right back to teaching and talked all night.
Have you so encountered Jesus that you can go on and on about HIM?

Culturally Relevant

Can you read the signs?  The weather signs are pretty simple today - RAIN.  But can you read the signs of culture?  Can you see the trends in how people think and what people are searching for in life? Paul displayed his ability to read the signs in Acts 17 where he spoke to the people of Athens.  He read that they were a very religious people seeking a connection with the divine.  Open minded to new thoughts and new ways of thinking.  So he gave them a message not about the Jewish history of the Messiah, but about how there is a God in Jesus who can be known.  We must also learn to read the signs of our culture and our day and to be able to present Jesus in a culturally relevant way.

"In him we live, move and have our being"

Community

Living Faith hosted and participated in three different community events this past Monday.  I know it can easily just look like handing out candy to kids.  But if you look beyond the event you can see 7 churches working together.  You can see local business, community groups, civic organizations all coming together for a common purpose.  My hope is that this can then be a pattern for other work we do as a church.  If it only stays with Trunk or Treat, it won't make a huge impact.  But if we can take these connections and our next project starts making a difference in the community, then are we not being what the church is called to be... yeast that works itself in the through ever part of a community with the love and passion of Jesus.