When I read the book of Acts, I see the church as an unstoppable force. Nothing could thwart what God was doing, just as Jesus foretold: “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18). The church was powerful and spreading like wildfire, not because of clever planning, but by a movement of the Spirit (emphasis mine). Riots, torture, poverty, or any other type of persecution couldn’t stop it. Isn’t that the type of church movement we all long to be a part of?

Yes. Please.

Nothing like an in-your-face encounter to hammer home a truth that God has been trying to teach you.

Let’s walk through the week.

Sunday

God teaches me about the need for courage in the church and my life. Throughout history God’s people were expected to practice their faith through courageous action to accomplish the impossible. Moses lead the Israelites out of Pharoah’s grasp. Joshua lead them to walk around Jericho. David conquered Goliath. The early church shared their faith in an environment of persecution.

Heart question: What are you trying to do that requires God to come through?

Monday

Continued reflection on the need to pursue God-sized tasks, like personal witnessing, that require big faith and courage.

Tuesday

Sitting at Starbucks waiting to have lunch with my good friend and mentor, Jon. I noticed that the two guys at the table next to me were have a faith-building conversation as only 2 believers could. One was an older gentlemen who seemed to be acting the role of encourager. The other was a younger man who seemed enthusiastic about his faith.

As they left the younger man stopped at my table and handed me a tract. He asked me if I was interested in reading it. I can’t really remember what he said because I was ready with my response, “Thanks, I’m already a Christian.” What he said next shocked and offended me.

With a smile, “Then maybe you can pass it on to someone who isn’t.” He turned around and left.

He was exactly right and I hated it. He hit the nerve. That place where you say, “The nerve of that guy…” while recognizing at the same time that they are right.

Wednesday

Just in case I didn’t learn what I needed to learn the following tweets were delivered this morning.

Your CONFIDENCE in the GOSPEL isnt seen by boldness in preaching or blogging, but in personal witnessing.Dont kid yourself.less than a minute ago via webRick Warren
RickWarren

It’s easy to hide behind a pulpit or computer screen. Real courage is revealed by one-on-one evangelism.less than a minute ago via webRick Warren
RickWarren

I talk about the Kingdom advancing. Some are actively part of it.

What does it mean to live a balanced life?

Don’t worry, I don’t know either.

How does a person define their life as balanced? What are the parts that should be measured? How do you measure them? Do you measure by time, affection, or some other value? Is the goal equality for each part?

I once heard a running coach say that balance is the death of momentum. There is no movement when we are balanced. Is that what you are working toward? A life without any movement but static equality.

In the Kingdom there is only movement. The Kingdom is advancing.

From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. Matthew 11:12 (NIV)

It does not seek balance in any way. It is constantly breaking down barriers and bursting into new territories. Light overtaking darkness. Good overcoming evil. The Cross conquering condemnation. Salvation stamping out sin. Grace grinding down guilt.

The King isn’t interested in balance.

When we are referring to God, balance is a huge mistake. God is not just one thing we add to the mix called life. He wants us to permeate everything and every part of us. (Forgotten God by Francis Chan)

If you’ve been pursuing a balanced life maybe it’s time to abandon it and surrender to the Kingdom life. “Seek first the Kingdom…” It is moving. Are you moving with it?

But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Matthew 8:22 (NIV)

Am I missing something? Is there an argument for the “balanced” life?

After my parents divorced, my mom, brother, and I landed in Lakewood, Washington. But the moving didn’t stop until our family moved to our first real home on Meadow Road.

By then, I’m afraid, I was ruined. Sentimentalism would never anchor itself as a character trait.

This has an upside. Change doesn’t impact me in ways that it does others.

And downside. I can seem insensitive because I don’t express emotions that are sympathetic to the past.

Do I miss the past? Not really.

Do I care about people from the past? Most definitely.

This has become even more evident in the last two months. Moving to California afforded us an opportunity to be closer to other family and friends. But it also pulled us away from a strong support network whose love, care, and influence wasn’t truly understood. Until it wasn’t there.

Tacoma family and friends. I miss you.

I look forward to sharing life and stories once again for the next two weeks.

Headaches and bad faith
are all that I’ve got.
First I misplaced the ending
then I lost the plot

The Crux: Modern (American) Christians emphasize the wrong values for joining a community of faith. We are joining the wrong churches for the wrong reasons. We have become spiritual consumers rather than kingdom contributors.

You move to a new city and want to connect with a local church. How do you pick one?

You know what I think about when looking for a new church? Music. The other things that I’m looking for – younger crowd, strong community, good teaching – usually come with a rocking, quality worship experience.

Most importantly the other things I really want come as well – comfort (plenty of seating), convenience (plenty of parking), and conformity or people that look like me (not necessarily all white but college-educated-american-eagle-wearing-and-mostly-white).

But dang if that isn’t the most consumer-oriented-piece-of-crud-lie-straight-from-hell perspective ever heaped on this generation of Christians.

MUSIC < MISSION

Substitute MUSIC with whatever preference you value most.

Can you imagine how it must please the Enemy when we suspend the advancement of the Kingdom by believing that a successful Christian is one that has found a comfortable, convenient, and consumer-friendly environment for one hour every Sunday?

My preferences and convenience are the not the primary deciders of what church I should join.

Reflection/Discussion:

• What preferences do you value more than mission in your community of faith?
• What questions should we ask before choosing a church to join?
• Why were people drawn to Jesus? Rockin’ worship or Fantastic kids program or other?
• Am I over-promoting evangelism at the expense of worship?

⁽¹⁾ Song: Lost The Plot (Take Me To Your Leader Album Version)

Did God orchestrate it so I would tear my Achilles tendon during a game of basketball?

Was this his way of righting the ship?

Is he trying to get my attention?

Is he telling me to slow down?

Pray more?

Focus on my family?

Ask for help because I never do?

Maybe he’s teaching my wife, mom-in-law, and son something?

OR

Maybe my body was tired and it just couldn’t take it anymore.

So it broke.

It doesn’t always have to be some cosmic thing that has universal implications.

It could just be a cosmetic thing that reminds me of personal limitations.

I can’t help it.

I can make it all about me.

Dark room + MommyDaddy bed + iTunes visualizer  + Classical music = Magic

Here is what we play:

I interpreted a call to move as a call to some new work. Six months later and the new work is still a mystery.

“God, I’m here now.

What is it that you want me to do?”

(cue crickets)

The hardest part isn’t the not knowing. It’s the not knowing how to answer questions from those around you.

Here’s the crux: When the opinion of others defines your significance it also determines your direction.

A direction that is usually always the wrong way.

I’ve made it about me.

But it isn’t.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

On December 11, 2009, Woods announced he would take an indefinite leave from professional golf to focus on his marriage after he admitted infidelity. His multiple infidelities were revealed by over a dozen mistresses, through many worldwide media sources.

After watching Tiger Woods address questions from the media the other day I reaffirmed some personal ‘Never’ statements:

• I never want my child to hear me say sorry for cheating on their mother.
• I never want my wife to doubt that she is all I desire.
• I never want my wikipedia page (if it ever exists) to have the words infidelity and mistress on it.

Never.

It’s not as simple as just wanting these things because I suspect that Tiger, deep down, didn’t desire them either.

And yet he failed. Like Jesse James. And John Edwards.

I’m one prideful-thought, damaged-feelings, flirtatious-conversation, ego-seeking-strokes moment away from failing in the same way.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Pursuing ‘never’ = fighting to protect my own heart.