Forgiveness different from consequences and justice.
Consequences may be what it takes for them to change their ways.
Tim Keller (the reason for God)- “Agony to refrain from lashing out on someone. It is a form of suffering. You are absorbing the debt, taking the cost completely on yourself instead of taking it out on the other person. It hurts terribly. Many people would say that it leads to a kind of death.
But it is a death that leads to resurrection instead of the life long living death of bitterness and cynicism. You are not giving it any fuel and so the resentment burns lower and lower.”
You can’t be angry with a nameless organization. You are angry at a particular person within the church. To be free from those you need to name those people and forgive.
Forgiveness is a process. Sometimes lasts a lifetime like grief it isn’t just a once and over deal.
Samson ex. of revenge escalating.
Passive revenge
Secret celebrations
Pray for those who persecute you.
1 Peter 2 did not retaliate or issue threats, trusted himself to God who issues justice
Do not repay evil for evil.
Others, they should pay in this way in this timeframe. But me…
Anger builds up, waiting for a recipient to pass it off to. EX of elevator in EQ where they think of all the mean reasons that the elevator is not coming down yet, that someone is being careless with it instead of some benign reason.
There is another option
Say the pain will stop right here with me. Will we take hate, anger, and hurt and keep it in circulation? Enter into the Christ pattern of forgiveness.
Parker Palmer, “The cross says the pain stops here. The way of the cross is a way that absorbs pain and doesn’t pass it on, a way that transforms pain from a destructive impulse into creative power. When Jesus accepted the cross his death opened up a channel for the redeeming power of love.”
Source: Rob Bell at Boyd's church
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
prayer for the need
I am feeling very heavy hearted about finding a new person to take over youth group when we leave. I feel called to get my education and what to have kids before too long. Where do I go from here? Do we wait? Stay? How will youth group move on? Who will love these kids? Who will walk with them to show them Christ is walking with them? Who will introduce them to a savior? Let them know that our world is broken and in need of a savior? Teach them about the kingdom? Encourage and love them?
I will miss them greatly if I go. Could I even go if they were not cared for? What kind of tradgedy would that be.
Lord,
Bring yours here. Show yourself in them. Reveal them.
Make your self and your will know to us.
We need you in this. We need you.
In love,
Adam
I will miss them greatly if I go. Could I even go if they were not cared for? What kind of tradgedy would that be.
Lord,
Bring yours here. Show yourself in them. Reveal them.
Make your self and your will know to us.
We need you in this. We need you.
In love,
Adam
Thursday, September 3, 2009
APEST
This shows your ministry style in relation to the philosophy of the fivefold ministry of Ephesians 4.
It measures your minstry motivation and expression.
APOSTLES extend the gospel. As the “sent ones,” they ensure that the faith is transmitted from one context to another and from one generation to the next. They are always thinking about the future, bridging barriers, establishing the church in new contexts, developing leaders, networking trans-locally. Yes, if you focus solely on initiating new ideas and rapid expansion, you can leave people and organizations wounded. The shepherding and teaching functions are needed to ensure people are cared for rather than simply used.
PROPHETS know God's will. They are particularly attuned to God and his truth for today. They bring correction and challenge the dominant assumptions we inherit from the culture. They insist that the community obey what God has commanded. They question the status quo. Without the other types of leaders in place, prophets can become belligerent activists or, paradoxically, disengage from the imperfection of reality and become other-worldly.
EVANGELISTS recruit. These infectious communicators of the gospel message recruit others to the cause. They call for a personal response to God's redemption in Christ, and also draw believers to engage the wider mission, growing the church. Evangelists can be so focused on reaching those outside the church that maturing and strengthening those inside is neglected.
SHEPHERDS nurture and protect. Caregivers of the community, they focus on the protection and spiritual maturity of God's flock, cultivating a loving and spiritually mature network of relationships, making and developing disciples. Shepherds can value stability to the detriment of the mission. They may also foster an unhealthy dependence between the church and themselves.
TEACHERS understand and explain. Communicators of God's truth and wisdom, they help others remain biblically grounded to better discern God's will, guiding others toward wisdom, helping the community remain faithful to Christ's word, and constructing a transferable doctrine. Without the input of the other functions, teachers can fall into dogmatism or dry intellectualism. They may fail to see the personal or missional aspects of the church's ministry.
From Forgotten ways
It measures your minstry motivation and expression.
APOSTLES extend the gospel. As the “sent ones,” they ensure that the faith is transmitted from one context to another and from one generation to the next. They are always thinking about the future, bridging barriers, establishing the church in new contexts, developing leaders, networking trans-locally. Yes, if you focus solely on initiating new ideas and rapid expansion, you can leave people and organizations wounded. The shepherding and teaching functions are needed to ensure people are cared for rather than simply used.
PROPHETS know God's will. They are particularly attuned to God and his truth for today. They bring correction and challenge the dominant assumptions we inherit from the culture. They insist that the community obey what God has commanded. They question the status quo. Without the other types of leaders in place, prophets can become belligerent activists or, paradoxically, disengage from the imperfection of reality and become other-worldly.
EVANGELISTS recruit. These infectious communicators of the gospel message recruit others to the cause. They call for a personal response to God's redemption in Christ, and also draw believers to engage the wider mission, growing the church. Evangelists can be so focused on reaching those outside the church that maturing and strengthening those inside is neglected.
SHEPHERDS nurture and protect. Caregivers of the community, they focus on the protection and spiritual maturity of God's flock, cultivating a loving and spiritually mature network of relationships, making and developing disciples. Shepherds can value stability to the detriment of the mission. They may also foster an unhealthy dependence between the church and themselves.
TEACHERS understand and explain. Communicators of God's truth and wisdom, they help others remain biblically grounded to better discern God's will, guiding others toward wisdom, helping the community remain faithful to Christ's word, and constructing a transferable doctrine. Without the input of the other functions, teachers can fall into dogmatism or dry intellectualism. They may fail to see the personal or missional aspects of the church's ministry.
From Forgotten ways
Trust comes before knowledge
In the Garden we chose knowledge over trust. We live in a knowledge based world view. 'Knowledge will take care of it'
We want clarity over trust.
We want to know before we trust but the only way we will get to know is if we trust first.
God tells Moses that he will know that He has been with Moses when his promises come true. Then he can look back and know. At the front end it is trust and his word.
Is it more important to be right (assert my rightness) or trust God? I ask myself.
We want clarity over trust.
We want to know before we trust but the only way we will get to know is if we trust first.
God tells Moses that he will know that He has been with Moses when his promises come true. Then he can look back and know. At the front end it is trust and his word.
Is it more important to be right (assert my rightness) or trust God? I ask myself.
Connect, Hebrews- Set aside every encumbrance, be intentional
Let us lay aside everything that hinders (or encumbrance)
This does not necessarily mean sin. It just holds us back. This happens when we say yes to everything and are unintentional.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3
This does not necessarily mean sin. It just holds us back. This happens when we say yes to everything and are unintentional.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3
Connect 09- Wrong religious reasons
Missional practices are secondary to the heart of the message. We can go wrong by focusing on the practice and nto the message behind the paractice.
people do religous things is because of...
Habit- It's what I've always done
Duty- What i'm supposed to do
Fear- What happens if I don't
Self Image- I like how it makes me look in the eyes of others
What if I came home to Tasha and brought her flower and she asked why and I said any of these reasons above?
Source- Dudly
I did see a Gallup poll that showed some good reasons people attend church...
For spiritual growth and guidance
25 protest.
17 catholic
Keeps me grounded/inspired
16
28
It's my faith
14
21
To worship God
16
13
The fellowship of other members/The community
17
3
Believe in God/Believe in religion
13
11
Brought up that way/A family value/Tradition
11
15
Below is interesting because only ten percent of the people who don't attend church say that they don't attend church because of their belief in God.
Americans who say they attend church only seldom or never -- a little over 40% of the adult population -- give a variety of reasons for their non-attendance.
(Asked of adult who seldom or never attend church services) What is the most important reason why you do not attend church or synagogue? [OPEN-ENDED]
BASED ON 439 ADULTS WHO SELDOM/NEVER ATTEND CHURCH
2007 Mar 26-29
%
THOUGHT-OUT, RATIONAL REASONS
Don't agree with organized religion/
what they preach
24
Don't believe in going to church
16
Atheist/Don't believe in God
10
Church wants/asks for too much money
3
PRACTICAL OR "DEFAULT" REASONS
Don't have time/Don't get around to it
21
Don't have a church I connect with
9
I'm lazy
6
Poor health/Disabled
2
Family members are different religions
1
Other
5
No reason in particular
6
No opinion
3
people do religous things is because of...
Habit- It's what I've always done
Duty- What i'm supposed to do
Fear- What happens if I don't
Self Image- I like how it makes me look in the eyes of others
What if I came home to Tasha and brought her flower and she asked why and I said any of these reasons above?
Source- Dudly
I did see a Gallup poll that showed some good reasons people attend church...
For spiritual growth and guidance
25 protest.
17 catholic
Keeps me grounded/inspired
16
28
It's my faith
14
21
To worship God
16
13
The fellowship of other members/The community
17
3
Believe in God/Believe in religion
13
11
Brought up that way/A family value/Tradition
11
15
Below is interesting because only ten percent of the people who don't attend church say that they don't attend church because of their belief in God.
Americans who say they attend church only seldom or never -- a little over 40% of the adult population -- give a variety of reasons for their non-attendance.
(Asked of adult who seldom or never attend church services) What is the most important reason why you do not attend church or synagogue? [OPEN-ENDED]
BASED ON 439 ADULTS WHO SELDOM/NEVER ATTEND CHURCH
2007 Mar 26-29
%
THOUGHT-OUT, RATIONAL REASONS
Don't agree with organized religion/
what they preach
24
Don't believe in going to church
16
Atheist/Don't believe in God
10
Church wants/asks for too much money
3
PRACTICAL OR "DEFAULT" REASONS
Don't have time/Don't get around to it
21
Don't have a church I connect with
9
I'm lazy
6
Poor health/Disabled
2
Family members are different religions
1
Other
5
No reason in particular
6
No opinion
3
FAST- discipleship
Article on FAST
FAST
They were willing to commit (faithful), give their time (available), seek after God with all their hearts (evidence of being Spirit-filled), and humble themselves to learn (teachable).
Three benchmarks we look for before graduating an apprentice on to greater responsibility—
calling
character
fruitfulness.
That apprentice, in turn, was required to take an apprentice under himself to help lead the group
FAST
They were willing to commit (faithful), give their time (available), seek after God with all their hearts (evidence of being Spirit-filled), and humble themselves to learn (teachable).
Three benchmarks we look for before graduating an apprentice on to greater responsibility—
calling
character
fruitfulness.
That apprentice, in turn, was required to take an apprentice under himself to help lead the group
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