DON'T GO TO CHURCH TODAY!

It's Sunday.  Christians around the world will get up and go to church.  It's a good thing! 

However, in doing so we are missing a primary concept taught in the New Testament.  That concept:   Church is not something we go to, it is something we are!

The Greek word translated "church" by the King James scholars was ecclesia.  It came from two ancient Greek words:  ecc meaning "out", and kaleo meaning "call".  Ecclesia was used in early Greek communities to refer to a group of people called out to make decisions regarding their government - particularly in Athens. 

New Testament writers - under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit - chose this word to refer to gatherings of believers.  These "called out ones" were to serve His purposes in the world!

CONSIDER:

• They were not just called ecclesia on the first day of the week!  They were ALWAYS the "called out ones." 
• Since the New Testament Church had no buildings until the end of the fourth century, it wasn't possible for these believers to confuse who they were with their building!
• Because there was constant persecution during those four centuries, gathering together strengthened the believers as they faced unimaginable threats of violence!
• These gatherings were times for strengthening one another, teaching one another, and encouraging one another in the midst of desperate times!

A sense of obligation was the farthest thing from the minds of these New Testament believers!  They were not fulfilling a ritual - they were struggling to survive!  The gospels and letters that would later be formed into our New Testament were the core of their teaching.  They passed hand-written copies of these from group-to-group to strengthen and unify the body of believers!

Do you begin to see how we have cheapened the original concept by morphing it from a called-out-people to a building?  In addition, we've allowed ourselves to think of the church as something we do one day a week. 

Add to this the reality that the greatest revivals in history have taken place without the benefit of buildings.  We've already cited the New Testament growth during the first four centuries.  The explosive growth of the church in China since 1950 is another example.

Perhaps the best thing that could happen in America would be for the government to close all of our churches and forbid us to meet?  Then, perhaps, the church would become more than a ritual or obligation to us!

So, don't go to church today!  Instead, BE THE CHURCH!  And then BE THE CHURCH again tomorrow and the next day and the next...

KISSES FROM KATIE - BOOK REVIEW

The book was a gift to me as a result of attending Catalyst in Atlanta last October.  Katie Davis was interviewed at that event.  Her humility was on display for 12,000 young leaders as the event surprised her by flying her children to the United States for a surprise reunion!

Katie graduated from high school in Tennessee and persuaded her parents to let her go on a missions trip to Uganda.  Then, she postponed her college plans to return to Uganda for a year.  During that time, God gave her a large house to live in;  she wondered why?

Then, God began to bring young girls who desperately needed help to Katie .  First she took them in - then she - one-by-one - adopted them.  She's been serving there since 2007.

She speaks fluently of the extreme poverty she witnessed.  God moved her heart as she began to meet whatever needs she could. 

In latter chapters she tells of going into Masese - a nearby garbage dump - where thousands live in unbelievable circumstances.  She began a ministry to women there.  They make necklaces and Katie's organization sends them to America to be sold. 

I was deeply challenged as I read of her endless caring for the least of these.  She seems undaunted by the most extreme cases of sickness, poverty, and abandonment. 

I was most moved by her description of giving up a relationship with her high school sweetheart.  Yet, her calling to serve Christ in Uganda gave her a greater joy than pursuing her own happiness in this prized relationship.

She repeatedly reminds the reader that she is not extraordinary, or unusually courageous.  Anyone can do what she is doing!  She is simply making herself available to God to serve His lost and hurting children!

HER OWN WORDS
"I am twenty years old and have fourteen children and four hundred more who all depend on me for their care.  Who are all learning to love Jesus and be responsible adults and looking up to me.  The reality of it all can be a bit overwhelming at times.  However, it is always pure joy.  There is a common misperception that I am courageous.  I will be the first to tell you that this is not actually true.  Most of the time, I am not brave.  I just believe in a God who will use me even though I am not."

RECOMMENDATION
I am writing this review on the morning after Jerry Sandusky's guilty verdict for abusing young boys.  Katie's story is the opposite!  Her love and care for children will challenge your heart!  This is not a book for comfort reading;  this book will change you!

Katie has initiated a ministry to the children of Uganda called Amazima - which means "truth" in the Luganda language.  You can read more about (or support) her ministry at http://www.amazima.org/   I highly recommend this book!

I AM RUINED

God uses books to change my heart!  I recently read a book, Kisses From Katie.  It's about Katie Davis. a young woman who - after graduating from high school - went to live in Uganda to serve the poor [book review coming soon].

Her story has challenged my heart so deeply.  I feel like Isaiah who had a vision of standing in the throne-room of God and being overwhelmed by what he witnessed!  His response:  (Isaiah 6:5  NASB)

Woe is me, for I am ruined!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
and I live among a people of unclean lips;
for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

I have been shown a literary picture of the reality of true poverty through the sacrifice and genuine love of a young girl!  Her compassion has challenged me and the opulent life that I live.  Almost everything I do now is run through a filter of how my extravagance could have been re-routed to help Katie's kids.

I read Wes Stafford's book, Too Small To Ignore, last year and it had a similar impact on me.  God is clearly speaking to me about bringing my life into conformity with His compassion for the poor! 

Last night, we ate in an exclusive restaurant in Baltimore, The Capital Grille.  Although, Travis picked up the bill, I suspect that it was for over $200.  I came home and wrestled to get to sleep.  How many children could have been sent to school for that sum? 

We've stayed in hotels several times recently;  each time I pay the bill, I think about the children of Masese (Ugandan refuse dumps) who sleep in the dirt, wear no shoes, and go untreated for worms.  I think about orphans whose parents have died and who care for one another as best they can.

I know.  This Schindler-esque thinking can drive you crazy.  It can make you do radical things.  IT CAN RUIN YOUR LIFE!!

But, like Isaiah, now that I've seen the reality I must do something!  I've been shown the evil of an affluent society.  I've faced the reality of my complicity in this evil as a result of my ignorance and cold-heartedness.  I must do something...

HERE AM I, LORD, SEND ME!!!

DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN!

I just finished reading about King Jehoshaphat of Judah [II Chronciles 17-20].  He was thirty-five when he became king, and he reigned for twenty-five years.

This guy was fanatical about serving God!  He sent teachers throughout the land to teach the people the Scriptures.  He knocked down all the heathen altars and destroyed all the false idols.  As a result, God prospered him and gave him peace.  Jehoshaphat built up strong defenses and was an excellent administrator!

At one point, Jehoshaphat made an alliance with King Ahab of Israel by marrying his son to Ahab's daughter. 

A few years later, Jehoshaphat was visiting King Ahab who talked him into merging forces to fight a foreign army.  In the battle, Ahab is killed but Jehoshaphat escaped.  Through a prophet, God admonished Jehoshaphat:  Should you be helping the wicked, and loving those who hate the Lord? 

Jehoshaphat seems to have gotten the message:  So Jehoshaphat made no more trips to Israel after that, but remained quietly in Jerusalem.  Jehoshaphat went to work establishing judges and courts to serve the people throughout his land!

Before long, a three-nation force declared war on Judah.  Jehoshaphat prayed for God's protection publicly.  God promised to protect him and to defeat his enemies.  King Jehoshaphat led his people into battle by sending woshipers ahead of the troops!  God turned the three-nation force against each other and they slaughtered one another - leaving tremendous spoils for the people of Judah!

Then, before his story ends, the author includes the following post script:

But at the close of his life, Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, went into partnership with Ahaziah, king of Israel, who was a very wicked man.  They made ships [together].  Then [a prophet prophesied] against Jehoshaphat, telling him, 'Because you have allied yourself with King Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your work.'  So the ships met disaster and never arrived at [their destination].

GOD! YOUR EXPECTATIONS ARE SO HIGH!

I read this morning about King Asa of Judah (II Chronicles 15-17)

His story begins with the words:  Asa was careful to obey the Lord his God.  As a result, he enjoyed ten years of peace!

Then a massive army came against him from Ethiopia;  his troops were outnumbered two-to-one.  But Asa turned to God:  ...we trust in You alone to rescue us.  And God DID rescue him with an amazing victory! 

After this victory, God assured Asa that if he would be faithful, he would enjoy peace.  Asa began a reform that included removing his own mother as queen-mother because she made an idol to a false god!  God honored Asa with twenty-five more years of peace!

In his thirty-sixth year, the king of Israel declared war on Asa.  As a result, Asa made a deal with the king of Syria - who agreed to threaten Israel!  Israel backed down!  Asa foiled his enemy and re-established peace!

Then a prophet of God visited him.

The prophet reminded Asa how God had delivered him from overwhelming forces earlier in his career.  Then the prophet asked why Asa had turned to a foreign king instread of turning to God for protection?  Then he pronounced:  What a fool you have been!  From now on you shall have wars.

I wish I could tell you that Asa repented.  He didn't.  He got mad at God!  He threw the prophet in jail! 

Listen to this irony:  Three years later, Asa got a disease in his feet.  ...he didn't go to the Lord with the problem, but to the doctors.  so he died...
                                                                                                                                  
Sometimes God is so demanding!  His expectations for me are so high!  He expects me to constantly trust Him and never worry!  Doesn't He understand how hard this is for me to do?

Like Asa, sometimes I am capable of solving my own problems. 

But God wants me to turn to Him with EVERYTHING!!!  And He will honor me when I do so! 

But, if I start taking matters into my own hands - guess what?  He'll let me!  I may even resolve my problem;  but I forfeit the joy of partnering with God and allowing Him to work His wonders in and through me!

Lord,
Help me to live up to Your expectations!  Help me to turn to You first - ALWAYS!  Your Holy Spirit lives in me.  Through Him, constantly remind me to trust You!  And You will give me peace!
Oh Yeah!

OH NO!!! DON'T CLOSE THAT CHURCH!!!!

Can you imagine a church that was so connected to its community that the community would lament its closing?

Of course, a church that was truly connected to its community would never be closing - I know that!  But just use your imagination.

Imagine a church that was so vital to the community that the community couldn't picture going forward without its influence and participation! 

Imagine a community that came to the church's rescue - just to keep it open and thriving. 

Imagine a church that had made such a difference in its community - such an investment in the community - that the community cried out with one voice:  "Oh no!  You can't close that church!"

REALITY
Of course, this is not the case for the vast majority of churches!  Most communities would never even notice if its churches closed. 

There are exceptions - and I'm grateful for that!  In my most recent community, the Catholic Church was at the center of almost everything the community did.  I believe there would be a community outcry if it was to suddenly be closed by its diocese.

But most churches are self-focused and self-serving.  They make few inroads of service to the community.  They do their own thing and exist for their own members instead of serving the people of the community.  SAD!

SOLUTION
Who can change this?

Is this the pastor's job?  Well. to some extent - Yes, it is! 

Can he do it alone?  Of course not!

The church can only change its focus if the people change their focus!  The church is not an entity - it's PEOPLE!!!  People who serve God's purposes in the world! 

A church that is vital to its community is made up of people who show a genuine interest in their community and serve joyfully in the name of Christ!  This is the kind of church that gives Christ a good name!

I TALK TO BIRDS

I do it frequently - almost every day.  I find the birds here in Savannah to be especially conversive.  I had quite a chat going with a group of them yesterday while we were waiting for a table at Molly's Restaurant.

I'm convinced that when I was walking daily in Poland Forest, I spoke with the same birds every day.  I think some of them actually saw me coming and called out to me!

I haven't quite mastered their language yet.  I basically repeat whatever they say to me.  That seems to make them happy. 

Occasionally, I can tell that a bird is trying to locate me.  On a few occasions, I think they have figured out that I'm not a bird.  They usually stop talking with me at that point.  I suppose they feel deceived.

A few times I have been in the woods during the heat of the day when no birds are singing.  I have tried to get them to answer me.  I've had success a couple of times - when I have been persistent.  But it never seems to last very long.  I think it's their siesta time...

I'm pretty sure that birds communicate with each other.  I really have no idea what they're saying.  But I sure enjoy barging in on their conversations!

I particularly enjoy listening to their morning song and evening song.  They differ, you know.  The morning song is very happy and full of expectation!  The evening song is peaceful and communicates contentment! 

Not a bad mantra for us humans too! 

Look at the birds!  They don't worry about what to eat - they don't need to sow or reap or store up food - for your Heavenly Father feeds them.  And you are far more valuable to Him than they are.  Matthew 6:26  (LB)