Getting involved in God's work

These thoughts are definitely a work in progress. I am posting them to see if they make sense when read from a text and not just in my mind and to let others comment.

Getting in involved in God's work sounds like such an open ended statement, and I suppose it is. As I contemplate what God's work might be, I have this nagging thought in the back of my mind - to be careful and not try to take charge again. With that in mind a question to ask is, "Would continuing to do what Jesus told his disciples to do, be doing God's will?" I think so, but also realizing that my abilities and gifts from the Spirit may be different. Jesus generally dealt with people within a holistic framework. On second thought, it probably was always holistic and the gospel writers just didn't always include it. Matthew records Jesus as saying he was giving sight to the blind, enabling the lame to walk, curing lepers, raising the dead, and preaching the good news to the poor. That is pretty all inclusive. In Matt 10 when Jesus sends out the apostles he gives them the charge to do the same. After Pentecost both the new and old disciples continued to be concerned about the whole person. Sooooo... Since I believe that the Spirit is working in people's lives and I want to be involved in God's work, I need to be looking and listening for those that the Spirit brings across my path.

Who is in charge?

Just a short post today, but an intriguing one I think. Normally when you ask someone to help you with a project even if they may know more, you are the one in charge, because it is your project. So when the church asks God to help them with a project, who is in charge? When we ask God to let us help Him with the work He is doing, who is in charge?
In the past I always believed it was the church that was in charge of doing God's work and if we asked Him for help then it would be a success. In reality, success often escaped us and we couldn't figure out why. The old saying, "we are God's hands and feet" leads to the assumption that God does not do anything except through us. How prideful of us and limiting for God. I would rather have God in charge, so I am starting to ask God, "What He is doing and will He use me?"

Why did Jesus Come?

Mike Cope had this question on his blog today, "We continue to face a most fundamental question of our faith: Why did Jesus come?" What a wide open question! I think one of the best answers is Jesus' comment recorded in Luke 4:18-19

18"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

He came to do more than just die for our sins. He came to show people what the Father was actually like outside of the 613 laws contained in the Torah. He taught discipleship that affected people's everyday life for three years before he died for our sins. I need help today and I would guess you do too. The good news is, God is here, today. I have this little saying I go through several times a day, "Where are you God? Oh yeah, right here beside me."

Why did Jesus come? To be with me today and in the future.

Vicariously Experiencing Tulsa

This past week I have been listening to several CD's from the Tulsa Workshop and thoroughly enjoying it. I was not able to go but we sent Gerry and he brought back a bunch of stuff to listen to and watch. During our Wed night fellowship meal we have started watching DVDs from Tulsa, our own little "dinner theater."
Here is a list of the ones I have listened to so far:
- Joe Almanza. He is not the polished speaker, just someone who goes out and mingles with people sharing Jesus. Listen to him if you get a chance.
- Bob Russell, Christian Church preacher, had good things to say about unity.
- Jeff Walling is always challenging and entertaining.
I am also reading Principles of the Reformation by Robert Richardson. I find it encouraging that the content of his writings in the 1850's is the same as I am discovering today. It is also sad that it has taken our group 150 years to get back to where the restoration started.

How to Get Noticed at Easter

We have a new(?) discovery with the Judas gospel. I don't have a lot of comments, but there was just one quote that really stood out.
"You will be cursed by the other generations — and you will come to rule over them," Jesus tells Judas in the document made public Thursday.
One of the criteria used to determine if a document should have been in the canon was, did it agree with the teachings of the rest of the documents. As I remember Jesus never promised that one of this disciples would rule over others. The admonishment was to serve others not rule. Even James and John who begged for special positions were denied. Just being ancient doesn't mean it is factual.

Honoring others

We had a special dinner Sunday nite. The youth group decided they wanted to honor the older,or senior, or elderly members. They decided to invite everyone 55 and older. The seating was arranged so that the teenagers sat among their guests and after serving they sat and talked with their guests. It was nice and they are to be praised.