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You’ve probably heard someone says, ” I believe in God, just not the church or any form of organized religion.” Francis Chan in his book Crazy Love, says, “I don’t think people would say that if the church truly lived like we are called to live. The expression would change to, “I can’t deny what the church does, (universal church ie followers of Jesus Christ) but I just don’t believe in their God.”

Actions by followers of Christ shape the conversation the world has about God. My actions, or lack of, are no longer the focus of humanity when and if I am truly engaging with people, and share some of their common values. IE as in caring for the poor, being a responsible citizen, being environmentally responsible, simply sharing life by being a responsible neighbor etc. The conversation shifts to where it was suppose to be all along. Simply God, and if people will choose to follow Him or not.

We (Christ followers) say and believe that Jesus is our model. However I’m not convinced we live our lives that way. Well, at least not often enough. Sociologically there is a concept of the “Looking Glass Self” where humans create an understanding of who they are based on the feedback of others. Simply, we define who we are by what others tell us, how people react to us, and how we see ourselves relating to the masses. Unfortunately I often judge my spirituality the same way. Isn’t it easy to judge our spirituality, our spiritual health, by the people around us? Those who are pretty much like us…other Christians sitting down the pew next to us. So often I pat myself on the back when I was polite to a neighbour, when I created space while driving so that someone could finally get into traffic. And on some level, I somehow think I was being Jesus to those people. I pat myself on the back and say to myself, “way to go being Jesus. Good job living incarnationally.” I think that we sometimes assume that if we are polite and nice, people will somehow know we are Christians and will want to know more about Jesus.  The reality is that that there is probably a person down the street, who doesn’t even believe in Christ who is nicer and more polite than me. Scripture calls us to follow the greatest example…Jesus. 1 Peter 2:21 -To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1 John 2:6 -Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. So, you could write endless books on how Christ lived, but in some of my reading I have been thinking about His posture towards people.

Jesus, while a nice guy wasn’t too concerned about being polite. He was very concerned about being intentional.  Of all the stories about Jesus’ life and how he lived there is a very big common denominator. He intentionally spent time with people. He became their advocate. There are many stories that demonstrate this, actually all of them do on some level, but let’s focus on the story in John 8.  John 8 tells the story of a woman who was caught in adultery.  At that time there was one punishment for a woman who committed adultery. Death by stoning.  Harsh, yep you bet, but that was the reality of her situation. In walks Jesus. The religious leaders of the day were trying to test Jesus if He was going to uphold the current custom and law and judge the “sinner” He didn’t. Hugh Halter in his book the Tangible Kingdom says, “Jesus became her advocate, her protector, and he turned the question of judgement back on the religious people.”Halter defines an advocate as: One who looks past the outward behavior, vices, sin frailty, brokenness and confusion of a person. Advocates focus on winning a person’s trust and friendship.  It’s interesting that this was Jesus’s approach, and when trust and friendship were established the heart and desire to obey God quickly follows. To be intentional, to live like Christ requires us to change our posture. Too often I have had poor posture towards people and that has resulted in feelings of judgement. Christ like posture displays His love and helps humanity be open to His plans and ways for their lives.

A definition of posture is, “the attitude of the body.” Posture most often refers to our physical bodies. In terms of my spiritual posture, does it direct me towards living intentionally or not? Just as in our bodies, posture helps to set direction for forward movement. I have had to ask, which way am I pointing? Is my spiritual posture, which calls me to imitate Christ, setting me up to live an intentional life, full of interactions with the world, just as Jesus did? Or do I gauge my spiritual posture based on those around me, and I’m not condemning anyone, I’m being hard on myself since I so often check my spiritual posture based on others and not where my focus should be… the posture Christ took and how he lived. 

A couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to hear Alan Hirsch speak. (Forgotten Ways is his latest book.) That was the beginning for me on my current journey of thinking through the terms, ideas, methods, and many, many thoughts that come to mind when people mention “missional/incarnational” living. Since writing helps me process a little, I thought I would write a little bit and invite feedback if anyone else has some thoughts on this. As another side note, I have recently felt called to make life changes in order to live more intentionally, to make more space in life in order to spend more time with people,especially in my own neighborhood.

Some quick definitions. (From the bookThe Tangible Kingdom)

Missional People – individuals actively committed to living a “sent” life in the context of community.

Incarnational Community – a group of people with the posture, tone, motives, and heart of Jesus; those who physically represent him in a particular location.

So, starting this summer, my schedule has started to include more opportunities for me to interact with other people. Be that through the gym, sports,neighborhood/community boards, etc. To intentionally seek out relationships with those in the community that surrounds me. My reality was that over the last couple years I was either so scheduled with activities, church, etc that I had hardly met my neighbors,or I simply chose not to engage. You know even at church we have started to encourage everyone to only attend one group at church. (Be that offsite or onsite) It is important to understand why. Not just so that everyone can be busier with the rest of their lives, but so that there is also more time for intentional missional living in your context. Be that in your community or elsewhere.

Have you ever noticed how often God shows up “on the way”? As in an interruption of your schedule. It might have even happened to you today already. In Acts 3 Peter and John are walking towards the temple to pray, and they run into a lame beggar who stops them. They ministered to him, the guy has a great spiritual awakening, etc. In my opinion Peter and John walked into a setup by God. You know I “hear” God speak to me a lot during my times of reflection and meditation, but it’s easy to only expect God to show up during those times, when in reality He is setting us up all the time. It’s not just in church, during the sermon, during the small group prayer time that he heals, teaches us, comforts and speaks to us. I know we know this, but do we live our lives like we know. Scripture’s show us the picture of faith being lives out very dramatically on the streets, during the daily grind of life. Non-churched people saw the power of the early communities of believers, talking with them around tables, or in homes, maybe fishing in the sea of Galilee or at the local well. They interacted with them in life and through that interaction, through that friendship engaged in spiritual conversations.

Hugh Halter in “The Tangible Kingdom” says that incarnation speaks to our posture, our timing, and how much of our time we give people before we ever share biblical truths with them. (Prevenient grace is a term that says God is already at work in everybody’s lives calling them to Himself. It’s not as if I am some great bringer of truth. I am to be a friend, and I am blessed by having my neighbors for friends, and if God prompts the opportunity, if he “sets me up” for a conversation, then I will enter in, but my goal is to be there, to be available for that divine “setup” and i get to hang out with really cool people along the way, and I do hope that they would one day accept Christ as saviour, but my goal is friendship, the Holy Spirit has the tough job) Hugh goes on to say that, “incarnation also speaks to where the most important times of ministry will take place. To be incarnational, therefore, means that we must begin where Jesus began with us.Outthere! With People! Along the way!(Hugh’s emphasis)

So, the above narrative, in various forms, has been banging around in my head the last few weeks. I have many more, probably random thoughts, but this is why I am changing my schedule. I didn’t give people much of my time, just to hang out, have fun, and enjoy friendship and fellowship with them. If they wanted to hear the salvation message. Sure, sign me up, but to spend time, to laugh, to share our stories, to become a friend….sorry, too busy for that…Lord, I got the message. I’m sorry it took so long.

Imagine if Jesus walked into the room you’re in right now and said, “come on, get up, and come with me.” Where do you picture Him taking you first? Maybe it’s someone’s home. If so, whose? Maybe it’s someplace you’ve never been. Where? Why would He take you there?

Have you been too busy…with church….with all the things your kids “must do?”…with yourself?

I’ve started to simplify and I am still very busy and yet… I have made more friends in the last 3 weeks than I have in the last 2 years and my life is richer because of it.

PS I realize everyone is on a different path in their journey. However if this is something that seems to resonate with you I am thinking of starting a weekly meeting to go through the book “The Tangible Kingdom Primer” It’s an 8 week discussion guide to stimulate thought and conversation on the missional and incarnation life. I’d love for it be an informal discussion, with old and new friends. With food too. If this is something that would interest you, leave a comment or email me and we’ll set something up.

You can view a sample of the document here.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately. I don’t think I’ve been getting anywhere though. It seems like I have so many thoughts and ideas, but they seem surrounded in fog. I know God is peaking. I feel as if He has shown me a glimpse of something special, even spectacular. Its as if He has shown me a portion of a beautiful picture of a finished puzzle and then took the cover away so I couldn’t see the whole finished project. He’s given me 1000′s of pieces and then it seems I’m blindfolded. A hopeless situation. I know I must rely on Him and His working through me, so I submit to His work. But the reality is, I absolutely love these seasons when it seems God is speaking more than He usually does (perhaps I’m just listening more), but it can also be more frustrating. So, all I know is that He has begun a process within me. It feels like change, like transformation. To what end, I don’t know, but my trajectory is fwd and He is guiding me. Do you ever feel like this? So many thoughts, so little clue about what it all means?

I was reminded agin in Phillipians 4 to think on what is right, “Finally, whatever is true,whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

MalcolmGaldwell in his book “Outliers” Talks about the 10,000 hr rule. Basically it is the assumption (through much research actually) that it takes approx. 10,000 hr’s of practice to become an ‘expert” at any given task or area of learning. So, I embrace the process of learning, contemplation, etc. We are actually instructed in Scripture to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. It’s interesting that we need to get our thinking straight before transformation comes. So I continue to pray and think on what is right. I continue to try and use Phillipians 4 as a foundation for this journey He has me on. What is the journey He has you on currently? Are you spending your time on that journey, on Him? Or what else are you spending your 10,000 hr’s on? What are you becoming an expert at? What am I becoming an expert at? Actually embarrassing to think about for me sometimes. So, what have you been thinking about…is it to have the mind of Christ?

And even more important, Phillipians 4:9 ends with…whatever you have learned put it into practice. 10,000 hours is a lot of practice…Lord I’m not even close, forgive me for losing focus so often.

So, almost two weeks ago I was challenged by Ed Mangham to ask for a “slow pitch” opportunity.  Let me briefly explain. Ed reminded us of the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. Philip, one of the seven mentioned in Acts, was told by God to walk the dessert road towards Gaza. I’m sure he was thinking, “what in the world for. Why would I go walk on a dessert road where thieves and hoodlums love to lurk.” However he goes, no questions asked. While on the road a chariot starts to pass him with an Ethiopian reading from Isaiah. God again leads him to approach the chariot, and he asks, “do you understand what you are reading Ethiopian?” The Ethiopian replies, “How can I unless someone explains it to me?” He then invites Philip onto the chariot, learns that the Scripture in Isaiah is talking about Jesus, accepts Christ and asks to be baptized. An incredible couple of hours, an incredible experience for the Ethiopian, and incredible trust and willingness to obey by Philip.

A couple things

1. This was a “slow pitch” opportunity to share the message of Christ. Philip virtually did nothing except be available, and answer the questions when they came and because of God’s work ahead of time, because He is always calling people to Him, Philip was given the opportunity to hit it out of the park. Not because of Philips skill or effort, but because he followed an illogical nudge and Christ used him.

2. God was and always is already at work in peoples lives. It is our mission to be available to intersect, when God calls, to be able to ask, “Do you understand what God is already saying to you?”

3. Be willing to go, even though it might sound strange. Often I have conversations with people who are very nervous about sharing what Christ has done for them. They don’t feel prepared, or just feel plain o’l awkward. What is interesting, that the hardest part, in my opinion, from Philips story is that he was called to walked a dry, dusty and dangerous road for no apparent reason. God orchestrated the rest.

So, long story short, I asked for a low pitch opportunity after that sermon. I prayed that the Lord would use me however he saw fit, and if He is willing a slow pitch would be a great starting point. So, today I seemingly was asked to go out on a limb for no apparent reason. I was immediately reminded of the dry dessert road that Philip was called to.  I’m not saying that the slow pitch will come from this, but what I have noticed is that I have 101 reasons why I shouldn’t go.  It’s currently easier not to, I will make a little money if i don’t, if I do, its annoying, it will cost, I would be asked to be generous, and I don’t know what if anything will come of it…but yet I feel that still small prompting. I know I could choose the other way and it be the logical choice and I would probably be given another opportunity, even if this is an opportunity (see how I rationalize so very fast). Yet I prayed, I asked to be used, and I feel a prompting, and maybe, just maybe a slow pitch will come of it…to me or to someone else.  I will go. Are you going?  Has God prompted you with something (usually a small thing)  Has he already given you a slow pitch?  How did it go? I’d love to hear.

Loving the journey,

Darren

‘ll explain the title right away, but first let me give some context. LatelyI have been pondering what it means to be rested, still, keeping Sabbath as some would say making sure your cup is full. BylatelyI mean intentionally the last few days, but really I can now see God leading me to this place of refection and study over the last few months. Some quick thoughts I am pondering and I pray they will start you to ponder as well.

Often when we, (people in general) start to ponder rest is because we feel tired and, well, unrested. We are quick to blame circumstance, work, family, etc. We tend to say, or for sure think, if only this circumstance, my job, a relationship, would change I would feel so much better. Mark Buchanan in his book “The Rest of God” says, ‘We refuse to budgeuntilsomeone or something (God) moves a mountain for us.” Romans 12:2 says clearly that we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds…” I love God’s gentle reminders. Transformation doesn’t come first, we must renew and change our minds, our outlook. I love how Marksaysthat once we renew our minds, “…everything is different, even if it stays the same.” There is so much running around in my head, but I thought I would provide 2 perspectives on how we view time and share with you a stark visual that should help keep our perspectives in focus.

Firstly,withoutexplaining deeply Istronglybelieve that there is something sacred, even mystical in Sabbath. After all God blessed it and called it holy, so we know there is deep, profound, life giving mystery in the Sabbath. The Greeks actually understood that there was a mystical aspect to some periods of “time.” They would not have been able to verbalize this as Sabbath, but interestingly enough they created to words to describe time. Welcome “Chronos” and “Kairos”

A. Chronos, which sounds familiar because it is the root of “chronicle, chronology, etc” Chronos was actually one of the gods in the Greek pantheon. He was a task master, which makes sense because the common view point of time is that it always marches on, time does not wait for anyone, it is ruthless, it consumes life as it were. So, fittingly Chronos was described and depicted as a cannibal a deity who would consume his own children. The famous artist Goya even created a famous work called Chronos devouring his children. Chronos as one would expect is wild eyed, teetering on the edge, seemingly enraged, desperate and plain old crazy.Buchanan calls Chronos the, “deity of the driven.” This hits home for me personally as often “Chronos” this negative concept of time becomes my focus. Thismanifests in me by being to driven, or having a negative concept of work as if “work” itself was bad when we are commanded to work the earth, its just my lack of true Sabbath that warps my viewpoint. To see Goyas representation of Chronos ‘Devouring his children” you can click here.(***Warning***this is a graphic piece of art on the ugliness of Chronos, but then again, so is living life out of God’s intentions for us.)

B. Kairos is a different story. The Greeks considered this form of time as a gift. It’s time full of promise, opportunity,vitalityand purpose. It’s a sacred time. Buchananexplains it like this. “In “kairos” time you ask not what time is it, but what is this time for? Kairos time is the servant of holy purpose.” Ecclesiastes echoes this by assuring us that there is a “time” for everything a season for every activity under heaven (Eccl. 3:1-8)

When we begin to focus on the gift of kairos time we start to shift our focus. We start to see things differently. We start to choose to spend time with our Creator, and through that He begins to transform us, first by the renewing of our mind. If you are feeling stressed out, dizzy by all the demands and busyness of life, perhaps it is time to stop feeding the taskmaster Chronos and start being fed by your Lord, your Abba Father, the one who has your good intentions at heart. Don’t wait for circumstance to change, choose to engage in some kairos time with your heavenly Father, and He will transform you and give you life….