the prefix in serve

Deuteronomy 6.1-2 reads:

These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.

The most important word in this passage is "observe" and here's why... I'm convinced that if every Christian in the entire world had their Bibles taken away and never learned another Christian truth or principle for the rest of their lives, BUT was faithful to observe all that he/she had already learned, God's Spirit would rock this planet.

Most Christians have enough "biblical information" to lead a God-honoring life. Most Christians know how to give their best to God, their families and their "neighbors". Most Christians know enough of God's character, promises and loving boundaries to navigate the slippery slopes of life. And most Christians simply fail to observe that which they already know. Yes, we will make mistakes, draw inaccurate conclusion, make inappropriate judgments... but most Christians also have enough biblical information to know what to do once they realize their mistake.

 
To OBSERVE is more than just seeing... it's seeing and submitting, it's awareness and adherence, it's learning and practicing... it's faith and action. One without the other is death... and then you still get fined!

what kind of fisherman (or woman) are you?!?

I'm reading the book "Same Kind of Different As Me" by Ron Hall (a wealthy white man) and Denver Moore (an uneducated, homeless black man), and am thoroughly enjoying it! Without going into too much detail, just know that Ron and Denver build an extraordinary friendship. Yesterday, I read a portion that literally caused me to put the book down and take a deep breath - it was a conversation they had when their friendship finally became "official". I wish I could say it resonated within my soul, but feel it might be more appropriate to say it echoed in my heart.Here is an excerpt of their conversation:

Ron had asked Denver if he would be his friend, to which Denver replied, "Let me think about it."

About a week later, over breakfast at a local cafe, Denver said, " I been thinkin a lot about what you asked me." Ron was at a loss because a week had passed since their last conversation, "What did I ask you?" " 'Bout bein your friend," Denver replied. Ron's jaw dropped... he had not only forgotten about the question he asked a week ago but Denver had spent that same amount of time pondering the question.

Denver looked up from his coffee and fixed his eyes on Ron, "There's somethin I heard 'bout white folks that bothers me, and it has to do with fishin'." Ron didn't dare laugh but he was a bit taken off guard, "I don't know if I'll be able to help you; I don't even own a tackle box."

Denver continued, speaking slowly and deliberately, keeping his eyes steadily fixed on Ron. "I head that when white folks go fishin they do somethin called 'catch and release.'" Ron nodded. Denver went on, "That really bothers me. I just can't figure it out. 'Cause when colored folks go fishin, we really proud of what we catch, and we take it and show it off to everybody that'll look. Then we eat what we catch... in other words we use it to sustain us. So it really bothers me that white folks would go to all that trouble to catch a fish, then when they done caught it, just throw it back in the water."

Denver looked away then locked onot Ron again with his drill-bit stare. "So, Mr. Ron, it occurred to me: If you is fishin for a friend you just gon' catch and release, then I ain't got no desire to be your friend... but if you is lookin for a real friend, then I'll be one. Forever."

Jesus said he was calling us out to be fishers of men... when we are out in the world, are we perceived as a catch-and-release religious folk, or I'll-be-your-friend-forever folk?

all for some?

In our weekly staff meeting, we take turns sharing a devotion... kind of a cool way to get to know each others heart and hear what's going on in our lives. This past week, Sam shared from an article he read. The phrase was that reverberated so strongly in my mind and heart was this: faithful presence.

The author's simple point was we ought not live our lives for the sole purpose of being excellent nor for the sole purpose trying to evangelize. Both are amiss. Instead, we might live to be excellent what we do because we know we represent Christ and desire to live a life of worship and thanks to him. Therefore, it would be through our "faithful presence" that opportunities will arise in which we may share the hope, peace, joy, and salvation we have in Christ.

It made me think of when Paul said he worked so hard to be ALL things... to ALL people... so that by ALL possible means... he MIGHT... save SOME. That seems like an awful lot of ALL-ness for only the potential of a small return. Doesn't it? But, maybe this was Paul's way of saying he was committed to be a faithful presence wherever he may be, whomever he may be around, whatever it might demand, so those around him might see and experience the presence of Christ through him.

Isn't that the example of Jesus, too? Wasn't he a faithful presence of his loving Father,only saying and doing what the Father instructed?

Here's a hard and humbling word picture God has challenged me with on so many occasions (including recently):
Who ran to Jesus? Who sat with him for hours while he spoke? People. Yeah, we could call them "sinners" but really they were just people like you and me, looking for peace, healing and love. So, when was the last time "people" ran to you or sat down to listen to you while you shared of your heavenly Father? Or, when was the last time "people" ran to our church to sit for hours while shared of Christ's life and his love for them? Until we experience the response Jesus evoked in "people", we still have something else to learn about living a life of faithful presence.

I am so humbled by that.