God's Kingdom is Bigger Than We Know

Reading Mark 9 today. in verses 38-41 the disciples say that they saw someone else driving out demons in Jesus name. They tried to stop him because he was not in their group. Jesus says don't worry about it because if he drives out the demon in my name, he cannot say anything bad about me in the next moment. (in other words his faith is real) Somethings have been the same since the disciples. "They don't go to our church, what do they know about Jesus?" "their faith can't be real." These to often are the statements that are said, or at least implied. Jesus is so much bigger than a denomination. He works through all of those who believe in him and seek him, through his word and through prayer. If something is done in the name of Jesus and brings glory to God, it does not matter if they are part of our group or not. It is tough sometimes to keep that frame of mind. sometimes I get jealous, and wish that what happened would have happened at our church. Oh, how often our sinful selves show up! that type of thinking is not kingdom thinking. Lord, help us to to continue to grow, and to remember that God's kingdom is bigger than we know!

Whack-A-Mole

I have been reading about prayer this week and am finding out that it is one of the most simple things to do yet one of the most challenging. The key to successful prayer is being close to God. The goal is to be so close to God that we are praying his will and not our own. We have to look at the motives of our prayers. Is it for selfish reasons that we pray, or is it selfless. Will getting what we pray for boast our ego's out of control? Even if we pray for someone to be healed, will we give the glory to God or will we accept the praise of those who witnessed the miracle? Our hearts are corrupt in so many ways it almost feels like playing that "whack-a-mole" game. That is the game where all these moles pop of out holes on the board randomly and you are supposed to hit them on the head with a mallet to get points. (I bet PETA loves that game!) It seems that way when I want to try to pray in the most effective way sometimes. Selfishness... Whack! Ulterior motives.... Whack! My will not his.... Whack! oh no, selfishness again... Whack! I also think it is dangerous to stay to focused on the things we are doing wrong, because it can take our eyes off of God. We must push in towards him, whack the sin if it is between us and God and keep moving closer to him! Grabbing my mallet, and heading to class for the day! have a good one!

Determination to do it Right

I got through my internship book last night, and I read about the importance of taking care of your marriage and your children and not getting caught up in ministry and neglecting them. Robyn and I have been learning and gr owning in this area. It is tough when the people you are ministering to are having tough times. it makes it so easy to ignore my wife. We have taken some measures to make sure we have some time together and it has been good. As the book says, one of the keys to success in your ministry is to be successful in your marriage and parenting. I was encouraged as I read through the book, because a lot of the things it suggests we are doing already, but I know I can't allow myself to just coast on this. As I heard at our youth leadership conference; we can always do things better. I am determined to do things right in this area of my life. It is critical. And on this morning as I sit in Cedar Rapids at training today and tomorrow, I am anxiously awaiting getting home only to leave again for the weekend. I am thankful for an understanding and patient wife. I am blessed.

Jesus the Leader

I have been learning about how Jesus led people. It is so different than how the rest of the world has always done it. The rest of the world fights for the top position and will do whatever it takes to keep it. It is pretty much like king of the mountain. Jesus enabled others to get to the top of the mountain. Jesus sent out his disciples in Mark chapter 6 to go and perform miracles. If I were Jesus I wouldn't have done that quite as easily. I would have thought, I have established this reputation of doing miracles and if they can do it too then why should I be the leader instead of one of them. But Jesus is secure in who he is and is not concerned about how he looks from a worldly perspective. He holds the high office of servant. Jesus even said greater things than these will you do (in referring to miracles). the worldly leader says you will never do anything better than me! That is why I am the leader! To be like Jesus we have to allow him to pretty much break every natural tendency we have. It's crazy. then the other side of this is that Jesus was very strong at the same time. It is amazing! To lead like Jesus is going to be an ongoing task for the rest of my life. Looking forward to it! Have a great day!

Winter Camp Anticipation

It's Monday and I am already anxiously awaiting Friday! Not because this week is going to be bad, but because the weekend is going to be that good! I am going to get to camp out in the snow this weekend, which to most is not exactly something to look forward to. But I see it as a challenge, and it is a sign that I am not getting "too old" :) In our media driven culture to go camping gives me a sense of relief. A break from the constant bombardment of advertisements and music and podcast and TV shows, and on and on... I learned this weekend that we have traded rest for entertainment. that is so true. our idea of rest is to, go out and watch a movie, or go on vacation and push ourselves to see every attraction that we can in a short amount of time. We often come back from vacation more tired than when we left. What's up with that?! what are we thinking?! This weekend I want to sit around a campfire and do things at my own pace. if I get ambitious I will go shoot something and eat it. maybe play some hockey on pond, but only when I feel like it. This weekend I'm just going with the flow, and God is totally cool with rest. He set the example by resting on the 7th day. I'm excited to be obedient and rest this weekend! Have a good day!

Being Sold Out to Christ

In Mark chapter 3, people are accusing Jesus of being possessed by an evil spirit. Jesus explains that there accusation makes no sense. Why would he cast out demons if he is working for Satan! Isn't that a little counter productive? He talks about how a divided kingdom cannot stand. Some days I feel like a divided kingdom. I have those days when I feel like Paul did when he said in Romans 7:15 "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Wasn't Paul sold out to Christ? Was he like a divided kingdom? I don't think he was, and this is why. It kinda goes back to my earlier blogs. this is a matter of the heart. Paul, didn't tell God to back off while he went to go live the way he wanted for a while. Remember, he said what he hates he does. So he didn't like what he was doing. I think we have a real problem if we love the sinful things we do and love God. Revelation talks about being lukewarm.

Revelation 3:15-16 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm-- neither hot nor cold-- I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Believing in Jesus is not a 1/2 hearted thing. It is not "just a Sunday thing". It is not a "just when it is convenient thing". When Jesus called his disciples he said to leave everything and follow him. We all do things we shouldn't, and with God's help he will help us overcome them, but first our hearts must be sold out him!

Seeing Things Through the Eyes of the Kingdom

Mark 2:1-5 talks about Jesus healing the man that was brought in through the roof of his house. It seems like maybe he was at his parents house, if I am reading the passage correctly, but Picture this: Jesus is at his house and people are swarming to get to him, they are packed in there like sardines. all of the sudden stuff starts falling from the ceiling on Jesus and the people below, dust and bits of mud brick dropping down, and lowered down is this paralyzed man! Now, I know what I would have been thinking... "What are you doing to my roof!!! I gotta live here!" I would be thinking how rude of these people to do that to my house. But Jesus, responds differently than I would of course! He doesn't even mention the giant hole that they made, he only sees faith! He is looking through the eyes of the kingdom. He sees the spiritual not the physical. I wonder if when Cyrus draws me a nice picture on the wall in the living room if I will see the display of love from my son, or if I will flip out because of the wall... hmmm... I want to see things through the eyes of the kingdom of God today.