Exploring

About six months ago our little church decided that we needed to explore some things. We had come to a place of trust and relationship but had little impact on the world around us. Thru the leading of the Holy Spirit we approached a small inner city church about working together in a subsidized housing community. They agreed, and we began meeting one Sunday a month in this larger setting. As the months have passed we see increasing participation from people in the community and from the Body of Christ as other brethren from different groups participate. Even with the holiday weekend over a hundred came yesterday. I was personally thankful to be joined in prayer beforehand by two young brothers. Half a dozen musicians blended their talents to facilitate worship.We set up tables outside, and brothers and sisters served. Our brother Matt preached on the kingdom of God. We trust that God was glorified. One brother who first met us in this setting has since visited in our home gatherings. Another young couple will visit this Sunday. We also hope to host two brothers from Canada. As I reflect, it took faith to venture out of our comfort zone, but so worth it to witness the spontaneous service of the saints and the receptivity of the community. Thank you, Jesus.

Car Analogy

Although I'm not sure why, perhaps because my parents didn't, I've never had a bumper sticker on my cars. (Or as my fellow Bostonians say, "Bumpah Stickah.) However, I do read them. My all time favorite, which I only saw once, was "Eschew Obfuscation." I laughed hysterically about that one. Anyway, a more common sticker for Christians is "God is my Co-Pilot." While I appreciate that this is meant to acknowledge dependence on Him, I suspect it would be more appropriate if it said, "God is the Pilot."
     New England seems to produce a steady crop of  Christian males who spend a lot of time in the Word, reading, studying, developing rock hard convictions about theology and doctrine. Now I believe that all believers need to read and study the Bible, heeding the admonition of 2 Timothy 2:15 (among others.) "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." Continuing the car analogy, intake of the Scripture is like gasoline. Without a steady supply we stall spiritually and come to a stop in our walk. However, our lives, like a car, need other things besides gasoline such as oil. The love of God, received by us, is the oil that lubricates the engines of our lives. "WE love because He first loved us." ( 1 John 4:19) Love prevents us from indulging in endless arguments of "I'm right, and you're wrong." May we "speak the truth in love," (Ephesians 4:15 all citations are NKJV) and remember that "love covers a multitude of sins." (James 5:20)

May 24th

     Met a very nice young German couple yesterday who expressed interest in our home gatherings. "After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb." (Revelation 7:9-10 NKJV) Thank God that He gives us a little preview of that diversity in worship here on earth.
     Looking forward to our monthly Celebration gathering this Sunday. May God be glorified! "To God alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen." (Romans 16:27 NKJV)
     Twelve years ago I left the traditional church structure to explore a home based alternative. While I believe that small, intimate, home based gatherings are conducive to the individual growth of believers, thus far they don't seem to bear much new Kingdom fruit (salvations/baptisms). I look forward to working with regular church folks relationally. May the Holy Spirit lead us in this new exploration.

Cities

Have just returned from a trip to both southern and northern CA. Enjoyed my visit with my daughter and son-in-law. It is tough to live three thousand miles apart. I look forward to the day when we will see Jesus face to face. "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3:2NKJV)
     Spent the second half of my trip in the city of San Francisco, taking walks each day. The first day I hiked around Golden Gate Park, the second to the SFSU campus, the third to the Pacific Ocean, and finally to Buena Vista Park. Large American cities have people from all over the planet. You can buy any kind of food and go to any type of shop. One hears many languages. Paul the apostle went to the cities of the Roman Empire-Syrian Antioch, Ephesus, Corinth, Jerusalem and Rome among others. While staying at Dale and Laurie's place I read most of a book by a brother named John Dawson about taking our cities for Christ. While  I have never been a city guy, i am feeling a distinct urging of the Holy Spirit to concentrate on Boston. I've lived in its suburbs for decades. I believe God is saying to find others whom He has called to the city, develop trust and relationship with them, so we can work together. May we do the works that God has prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

Conforming to the World

     Currently I am visiting, and experiencing astonishingly wonderful hospitality from friends in the Bay Area. (U.S.) Last night, a young man appeared, describing himself as a community organizer. His cause seemed to be opposition to the use of styrofoam. He urged signing a petition, and giving funds to defeat this evil. He was quite passionate and energetic for this cause. Now I anticipate that people of the kingdom of the world will support causes of one kind or another. What about the citizens of the kingdom of heaven? ( Philippians 3:20)
     Romans 12:2a, an often quoted verse, says "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."(NKJV) How might we be conformed? One way in which we could discern is by our priorities. To what do we give our time, money and energy? What do we talk about? "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." ( Luke 6:45 NKJV)
     One thing that a growing number of Christians in America talk about and give their time, money and energy to is what they eat. Now I am not opposed to health; I try to live a healthy lifestyle. Yet no matter how much or wisely I exercise or what I eat or don't eat, my current body will perish. (Hebrews 9:27) The reality is that most of our brothers and sisters around the world do not have the food choices that we have. Many are thankful to have enough food to sustain life. Some do not. It seems like major self-indulgence to put inordinate focus on every item we place in our mouths. If we were as concerned about our sin- a topic the Bible addresses repeatedly- as we are about what we eat, we would be much better off.
     While I am admittedly ignorant about the alleged evils of styrofoam. I would rather, as Paul did, be "determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." (1 Cor. 2:2)

Barrett

     My maternal grandfather, who disliked his original first name so much that he switched it with his middle name, used the name Barrett for the rest of his life. As a young man he served with the Signal Corps in France during the First World War. Much later when I was three, I ran into a pond with all my clothes on. My mother, occupied with my baby brother, saw my hat floating, and called my grandfather. He ran in with all his clothes on to rescue me from drowning. I remember him as a genial fellow in his older years. Now his name has resurrected with his great grandson. Thank you, Jesus.
     Enjoyed my brief visit to southern CA. Saw my friend Bill for lunch yesterday. Wish we lived closer. Took several walks in the hot sun. Enjoyed Mother's Day with my son-in law's parents, Chuck & Cynthia, and Chris' younger brother Casey, and then again Monday evening when we learned that my daughter would bear a grandson rather than a granddaughter. "Blessed is the first born son who opens the womb." (Luke 2:23 cf. Ex. 12) Now off to the Bay Area. God is faithful.

A Little More History

     While I understand that most people find history boring, every once in awhile I want to indulge myself. Today I was reading in the book of Acts and found a detail that many might find inconsequential. Still it contributes to the historical veracity of the Bible. In chapter 16, verse 12, Luke relates a visit to the city of Philippi, adding the detail that it was a Roman colony. The word "colony" has historical significance because it refers to the custom of Roman rulers (emperors) establishing designated areas to settle discharged legionary veterans. When a young man was recruited for the legions or the auxiliaries, he enlisted for twenty to twenty-five years. Part of the incentive to do so was the promise of free land once they completed their service. Philippi is a known "colony" where ex-Roman soldiers received land. So even a seemingly minor detail has importance.
     Another more prominent example is the prophecy of Jesus in Matthew 24 that "not one stone would be left upon another" of the Temple, a structured which took at least 46 years to build. This prediction, given in the early 30's AD, was literally fulfilled at the conclusion of the Roman siege of Jerusalem. ( AD 70) The fires burned so hot in the temple that the gold liquified. After the battle, when it cooled, the Romans had their slaves take every stone in the temple apart so they could scrape off the valuable metal. Again, history supports the Biblical account.