First thing first, unto a powerful second (a Jesus Shaped Community): a call away from orphan mentality

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40

Everybody prioritizes things whether they know it or not. The office worker: his work schedule. The house wife: things that need to get done around the house. The druggie: how to get the next fix. Everyone does it in relation to their perception of the most important thing first. The religious people of Jesus' day did it too, and they asked Jesus to give an example of the best way to do that (even if it was out of impure motives that they were asking). Jesus told them what they should have already known by the law that they studied: Love God with everything you've got. Churches today are also asking this question. They realize that something has gotten off balance, and they're hungry for Jesus centered community, doing what Jesus did. I am amazed by some churches in our area (and even the ministry we serve in) having an undying desire to go hard after God, and live a lifestyle of being in love with God unto the second commandment. Churches willing to rethink tradition, and reconnect to the most important thing. Marissa and I are devoted to seeing this become a reality where we minister. It's interesting, it HAS to start in people developing an intimate life with God, otherwise it slips easily into arrogance. Example: one thing that plagues our country is a bitterness in the church and orphan mentality. Apart from denomination arguing with denomination (or non-denomination), there's even another level of strife in which one leader might see a certain need in the church, and instead of toiling in the place of prayer and working with the other leadership to see it happen, they develop a bitterness that says: "you just don't get it" or "you all are wrong and I'm right". This person says, "well, I'll just start my own church", and with slander start another church (I've seen it happen repeatedly). So, in the end you have a church being started and built on an orphan mentality. There is a healthy way to start a church, and an unhealthy way. A healthy way is without slander, reaching the unreached, first thing in first place.

One important thing about living in a post-Christian society, is that Christianity cannot just be a set of beliefs, but it MUST be a way of life. Having first thing in first place, must (and will), inevitably lead to reaching the poor, needy and the outcast. Because, Jesus' heart was (and is) for those people, the church is destined for loving those people. The poor "always being among us" means that our job will never end, not that we can overlook them. It is so amazing to my heart to see churches hungry to minister out of love to the broken. Love your neighbor as yourself, is the way that the heart beats when it is truly in love with God. Back to the one bitter towards the church: your neighbor is included in the church. If you have decided that the church is your enemy? Well, you are still not excused. Jesus also said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:43-45 So, let's give our energy to being a Jesus shaped Body, listening even to the hard teachings of Christ, that we may be purified in love unto being alive in His joy.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:30-32

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:12-17

The beginning of a new school year...and other stuff

So, last week was our first (full) week of the new school year. Being a youth center sitting strategically in front of the main high school on the reservation, our ministry's program calendar operates in relation to the school's calendar. Our programs this year consist of: Open Kennel, The Stand (a regularly held evangelistic Bible study), our Monday night discipleship group (for teens to go deeper into the Word), Thursday's Study Lounge, and the 5th Quarter (a party held after home games). On top of all this I'm starting a media program, in which I'm partnering with the A/V teacher at the high school here. The purpose of the media program is to create a vehicle in which to connect with a hand-full of teens and to dig into the Word and topics that challenge their generation. The videos that we'll be producing will be played on the youth center's big screen T.V. after school. (Keep an eye open to a website devoted to our productions!)

-On another note-
It has been challenging, making the shift from city living to the slow paced, living by faith, life that we now live in. Prayer is not an option, it's a necessity. I think I'm starting to sense a little more of what the Apostle Paul meant by praying without ceasing. Prayer becomes a rhythm, not a destination (while having sacred space to be alone with God is important). Prayer is the sound of breathing, for the one who is poor in spirit. Realizing that God is all you've got is both frightening (truthfully) and liberating. Prayer isn't the list that you continually spout out, but the conversation that doesn't end. When God stops being the One that lives way "out there" and becomes the One who lives inside us (by His spirit), I believe, that's when this relationship with God thing starts to make sense. So, life may be a little more difficult...but very fulfilling, knowing that He said "go", and we went. It's hard, but good.