Faith like a Fist

And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked. “There is nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’” Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. -1 Kings 18:41-45

If you don’t know the context of this verse, here it is. There has been no rain in 3 years. None. Dry. Barren. For 3 years. If you see the wildfires going on in Arizona right now, and you think that’s dry, remember there has been NO rain here.

But, look at the faith that Elijah has in this account.

As the story is retold, we see Elijah asking his servant to go look for rain. When the servant reports nothing, Elijah sends him back again. And again. Seven times Elijah sent him out, and finally the servant tells Elijah there’s a cloud the size of a man’s fist. A cloud the servant probably wouldn’t even have noticed, except that he was probably sick and tired of Elijah sending him out to look at the sea! Elijah was so insistent. Think about this – the servant sees this tiny little cloud, and Elijah says, “Oh, buddy! Here. It. Comes. This little cloud appears and here’s what he says to his servant, “Go and tell Ahab, “Hitch up your chariot and go down, before the rain stops you.” Because Elijah was expectant in his prayers, this little bitty cloud, to him, meant rain was coming. And not just a gentle, soaking rain, but heavy rain. Driving rain. The kind of rain that could stop a chariot from being able to travel. From a little tiny cloud the size of a man’s fist, Elijah prayed expecting God to do something amazing in his life, and God delivered – verse 45 tells us that “the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on, and Ahab rode off to Jezreel.

When we pray, we need to pray like we’re expecting something from the prayer. We need to pray like there’s an entire course of history going on but, because we prayed, something new is going to happen. Like life is being changed because we prayed. Like God is going to do something amazing in our lives because we prayed. We can boldly go before the throne of grace.

So many times, we fail to see the signs that God is working in our lives. We tend to think things won’t change, or that what we’re asking for is too great for God to do, and we miss the cloud the size of a man’s fist in our lives. We get frustrated that this person we’ve been praying for still isn’t coming to church every week, but we miss the fact that they’re asking us questions about God, they’re asking us to pray, God is changing their life and we just refuse to see it. Or we’ve been praying about our financial situation, and we’re still not out of debt, but we ignore the way God has brought discipline into our life, or he’s finally put us on the same page with our spouse, but the changes are small, and we don’t expect God is going to fix it. Or the cancer refuses to go away, but we miss the sign that it’s not growing – it’s stabilized and we feel better and that could just be a sign from God that something amazing is about to happen because we’ve prayed. Or, we’ve been praying for direction in our life, and we still don’t have clarity about what God wants us to do, but we miss the fact that God has stripped away a lot of the things he doesn’t want us to do… He’s narrowed the field for us and yet we refuse to see that as a sign of progress. Or maybe… just maybe… we see it, but we refuse to believe.

Faith is so important in our prayers. Many of us who have entered a relationship with Christ have seen the changes he’s made in our lives and our hearts. So, why do we not believe he can solve our problems? Jesus once said, “if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

What is it for you? Where in your life is there a cloud the size of a man’s fist that you need to acknowledge is God’s sign that there’s a change coming? Where do you need to be expectant about your prayers that God is going to answer them?

God in the whisper

If you're at all like me, (and for your sake, I hope you're not) you may doubt God from time to time. Maybe you're in a situation you don't like or don't understand, or maybe you're searching for direction in some part of your life, or maybe you just want to know if He's listening to your prayers. My tendency is often to pray for a sign. Lord, just show me who you are... show me that you are God.

But, as I read scripture, I really need to stop praying this. Have you done this lately? Look how God often proves Himself. It's almost always with death and destruction. There are very few fleece moments in the bible. It's more like this:

And they will know that I am the LORD, when their people lie slain among their idols around their altars...

You will fall by the sword, and I will execute judgment on you at the borders of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

The inhabited towns will be laid waste and the land will be desolate. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

If it's been awhile since you read the bible, think about it. Do you remember a passage that says, "I will deliver the job into your hands, then you will know that I am the LORD?" Or how about, "I will heal your ailing spouse/child/brother then you will know that I am the LORD?" Or even, "I will present to you the lottery numbers BEFORE they are drawn, then you will know that I am the LORD?" No. I mean there is the staff turning into a snake thing. And the time that Elijah called on God to set the altar ablaze. But generally, in scripture, the LORD makes Himself known in ways that we wouldn't really want to see Him. But, it also means that He has the power to make Himself known.

So, what does this mean for us? It means we need to have faith. Faith that His plan is better than ours. Faith that he's the same God He has been- yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Faith that He's still on His throne.

When nothing wheron to lean remains,
When strongholds crumble to dust;
When nothing is sure but that God still reigns,
That is just the time to trust.

'Tis better to walk by faith than sight,
In this path of yours and mine;
And the pitch-black night, when there's no outer light
Is the time for faith to shine. - Joseph Parker

God has told us who He is, and He's probably shown you in your life time and again. Maybe you can't hear him now because life SCREAMS at you. Your circumstances YELL at you to ignore that still small voice inside your head. But, scripture tells us that God is in the whisper. Be still and listen... and know that He is God.

On Shopping for Churches

I had a disturbing conversation with a friend today. Not a great friend, but someone I respect and trust. She said that she and her family were looking for a new church because her daughter, a high school freshman, hasn't been able to get connected and get interested in the youth ministry at our church. As someone who has led or co-led the youth ministry at our church for about 5 years now, this was interesting, frustrating, and discouraging to me all at the same time.

On one hand, her comment was that we don't "offer enough" for the high school students. We typically meet Wednesday nights, and we have either a bible study, fun night, or some combination of the two. I can see this point...I am a volunteer with a job and a family (two young kids) and I don't always have time to do everything our students would like to do. I know that's a shortcoming for me. And, we used to do more. We did monthly events for the high school students (she didn't come to those either, usually, but that's beside the point). She also said that homework often gets in the way of her daughter coming Wednesday night. I get that, too, as my first grader has a hard time finishing her homework sometimes, and I know high school students are often overwhelmed with all they have to do. Finally, she said, "I just wish we had more kids coming." I can see that point, I wish we did too. I took these comments as fair criticism and took them to heart... I really do want to do things with excellence, just like we try to do everything at Genesis.

On the other hand, I cannot invite other students. The only high school students I ever have access to are the ones that come to our church and the friends they bring. If she wants her friends to come, she should invite them. There are three ways to do youth ministry with your friends. Go to one they all attend, invite them to yours, or make friends with the people who are there. Most students will do a combination of these. On the homework front, many of our students have lots of homework, but they're really engaged and make it a priority- not over their schoolwork, but alongside it. Also, I would like to do more things, but many students won't come to the things we do offer, at least not regularly. How can we commit to offer more events just in hopes some of the less engaged students will come?

I don't know where to land on this. I've poured my heart and soul into these students, and I'm thrilled with what God has done in some of their lives, and I love being a part of that. On the other hand, I look back at the setbacks we've had- high school students that have left the faith, many that have had babies before marriage, and I really feel like a failure. Do I give up, and hope that someone else comes along with more zeal and more passion and more... time? Or, do I hang in and hope that my presence is not depriving some eager volunteer of a chance to invest in the lives of these kids?

The tough conversation was offset for me this morning, though, when I got into the auditorium. I saw a former student, a college sophomore, who is doing great, walking in her faith and she gave me a big hug. Then, I saw two sisters who were involved in the ministry and moved to Florida, and they were so excited to be back and see me and, especially, their friends with whom they shared some neat experiences. I feel very blessed to be a part of the lives of these young people, and I feel at times, that God has used me to speak into their lives. I just wish I knew if I still had the drive and desire (and ability) to do it.

So, that's it. Don't read this as a vendetta against this student or her family... I haven't mentioned names because I love them and don't want their discomfort to become the target of my frustration. I'm bummed that this girl is not connected. I'm disappointed that whatever I've done hasn't been enough. I'm frustrated that this family is church shopping to please their daughter, who may not get involved anywhere (CS Lewis, in The Screwtape Letters, suggests that if the enemy can't stop someone from going to church the next best thing is to have them shop for a church that 'suits them.') So, what would you do? I'd love your comments.

Steve

A sheer gift?

Today is going to be hard. Maybe one of my hardest days as an adult. So, here is the verse I cling to today:

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." -James 1:2-4 (The Message)

I don't always face challenges well, let alone consider them a gift. I usually consider them a curse. My prayer for today is that I will truly see tests and challenges as a gift from God, designed to grow my faith and stretch me in a way that I would never stretch myself.

If you're so inclined, please pray with me.

How to deal with stuff...

Man, there is some stuff going on right now. Stuff in the economy. Stuff in people's families and lives. This world is full of sickness and despair and depression and uncertainty. How do you deal with all this stuff? Here is a suggestion from the writer of Hebrews:

"...strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God." -Hebrews 12:1-2 (The Message)

Jesus knows pain. Jesus knows betrayal and heartache and doubt and temptation. Maybe you've never been through what you're going through, but Jesus has. God incarnate, He knows what it means to be a human and to live in this world full of all this stuff. Keep your eyes upon him, review the list of what he's done for us. He will be your refuge, your rest, your dwelling place. Your comforter.

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." -Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

Making little trees out of big ones

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will take a branch from the top of a tall cedar, and I will plant it on the top of Israel’s highest mountain. It will become a majestic cedar, sending forth its branches and producing seed. Birds of every sort will nest in it, finding shelter in the shade of its branches. And all the trees will know that it is I, the Lord, who cuts the tall tree down and makes the short tree grow tall. It is I who makes the green tree wither and gives the dead tree new life. I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do what I said!”- Ezekiel 17:22-24

It is God, not I, that makes things grow. But in order to do this, he will sometimes kill something off. This is a concept I struggle with in my life from time to time.

Right now, it seems like there are some things in my life that are dying. Stuff at work, and other things that just seem to be withering away. Fortunately, the important things are still strong. But this verse spoke to me today. Maybe what God is doing is killing some things off in my life so that something else can grow better. Maybe He has to cut down a majestic tree that has stopped growing, and plant a part of that in some soil somewhere else, so that it may grow and flourish and become majestic again.

How about you? Do things in your life seem gloomy? Is there something that is dying and you don't understand why? Is there something that you need to kill so that something else can grow stronger? Think about it.

Most of us trust God when he's growing the little trees in our lives. How many of us trust Him when he's cutting down the big ones?

How much do you trust?

Hezekiah rallied the people, saying, "Be strong! Take courage! Don't be intimidated by the king of Assyria and his troops—there are more on our side than on their side. He only has a bunch of mere men; we have our God to help us and fight for us!"
Morale surged. Hezekiah's words put steel in their spines. -2 Chronicles 32:6-8 (The Message)

God is on our side. They have only men. Would these words give you courage? Would this idea be enough to give you "steel in your spine" as Eugene Peterson translates it?

I always know I should trust God, and I really do believe that His purpose is greater than all others - that His will will be done above all. Still, I often want to take things in my own hands. Make sure I'm prepared enough. Make sure I've studied the issue enough. It's as if I sometimes think that God doesn't know what I need to make it through and issue, and when someone says "God is on our side" I still wonder if that's enough.

The interesting part about this passage, and most others, is the theme that we are to "take courage." I will often pray for courage from God, but scripture is consistent in calling us to have courage. In other words, it seems courage is not something God gives us in response to prayer, but something we are to offer to show our trust in God. If I believe God is who He says He is, and I follow Him and believe I am in the center of His will, then I should have courage. I need to be still and KNOW that HE is GOD.

And that, my friends, puts steel in my spine.

Passover / 4th of July... Same Dif?

The king now commanded the people, "Celebrate the Passover to God, your God, exactly as directed in this Book of the Covenant."

This commanded Passover had not been celebrated since the days that the judges judged Israel—none of the kings of Israel and Judah had celebrated it. But in the eighteenth year of the rule of King Josiah this very Passover was celebrated to God in Jerusalem. - 2 Kings 23:21-23 (The Message)

"Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it." -George Santayana

Josiah was a good king in God's eyes. The Message tells us that "He kept straight on the path blazed by his ancestor David, not one step to either left or right." But one of the most amazing things he did was to reinstitute the celebration of the Passover.

Passover is a traditional Jewish celebration of the time when the Hebrews were rescued out of slavery in Egypt. Following God's commands, the Jews painted blood on their door frames. As God passed through the land, killing all the firstborn sons, He would "pass over" the homes that had blood around the door, and the Jews were let go. After this miracle, God told them to always remember this day, to keep it close to their hearts and use it to teach their children about God's faithfulness. But king after king had failed to follow God's command about this, and the practice of passover was forgotten for generations. Until Josiah came along.

As I was thinking about the 4th of July this morning, I thought about what my kids know about the holiday. Basically, they know fireworks, watermelon, and a 3-day weekend (my kids don't yet get the whole concept of the weekend other than that Daddy's home). But they don't yet understand how fortunate they are to live in this country. They don't know how our fathers and grandfathers fought and died to defend their right to do anything they want (or nothing at all). They don't understand the price that was paid for their freedom, and they won't unless I teach them.

The sad truth is, as a society, we're quickly reaching the point where people don't care. War has become political, instead of about fighting for freedom. In fact, I don't think this country will ever win another war - we just don't have the stomach for it. In the 24-hour news culture, people have become numb to the travesties and trevails of oppressed people all around the world who didn't win the life's lottery that is a US citizenship.

So this weekend, I'm whipping out the Declaration of Independence. At quiet times, I'm going to forgo the Sunday paper in lieu of George Washington's prayer journal. I'm going to try, in my best 6- and 4-year-old speak, to explain to my girls how blessed they are to grow up here. To talk about how God has been faithful in protecting them, and how we need always to be mindful of His awesome provision for us.

Have a great 4th.

For whom to root in Eugene?

Maybe you don't follow track and field except for every 4th August. If that's the case, you may not know that the US Womens 10,000 meters field will be loaded with talent at the USATF Olymic Trials in Eugene, Oregon June 27-July 6. Among the women competing in that event are Shalane Flanagan, the current US record holder in the 10,000, Kara Goucher, Jen Rhines, Katie MacGregor, and Blake Russel, who has already qualified for the marathon in Bejing. But, with all of these talented women, it will be hard for me not to root hard for Alicia Shay when the gunshot echoes throughout historic Hayward field on June 27.

If you don't know, Shay's husband Ryan died during the Olympic men's marathon trials in New York City last fall. After that totally unexpected and tragic event, Alicia's training obviously suffered. But, she has remained steadfast in her faith and has been a stellar example of how to deal with adversity. In the article linked above, she says, "When something like this happens, you're stripped down to the core. What remains is what you believe, what's at your foundation. At a time where I should be angry at God and angry that this happened . . . I'm in awe with the love of God and how he has carried me. I'll get to the point where I feel like I can't breathe, and every time God picks me up. He just keeps meeting me right at the point of my need. That's something you can't learn in Sunday school."

In the meantime, she helped Saucony establish the Ryan Shay Fund, to honor her late husband's passion to help disadvantaged individuals, groups, and communities, as well as to fund American distance runners in need. Here is some video of the event.



Sooooo, if you don't already have your favorites to go to Bejing, please think about spending 32 minutes of your life rooting for Alicia Shay on June 27.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.- Jeremiah 29:11

Lazarus, come out!

When Jesus finally got there, he found Lazarus already four days dead. Bethany was near Jerusalem, only a couple of miles away, and many of the Jews were visiting Martha and Mary, sympathizing with them over their brother. Martha heard Jesus was coming and went out to meet him. Mary remained in the house....

Then Jesus, the anger again welling up within him, arrived at the tomb. It was a simple cave in the hillside with a slab of stone laid against it. Jesus said, "Remove the stone."

The sister of the dead man, Martha, said, "Master, by this time there's a stench. He's been dead four days!"

Then, to the others, "Go ahead, take away the stone."

They removed the stone. Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and prayed, "Father, I'm grateful that you have listened to me. I know you always do listen, but on account of this crowd standing here I've spoken so that they might believe that you sent me."

Then he shouted, "Lazarus, come out!" And he came out, a cadaver, wrapped from head to toe, and with a kerchief over his face.

Jesus told them, "Unwrap him and let him loose." - John 11:17-20, 38-39, 41-44 (The Message)

The tension was palpable. People were upset. Even those who believed everything Jesus said, everything he claimed to be, didn't understand why he would let Lazarus die. (1)Lazarus was a popular man. The story tells us that "many of the Jews" had come from Jerusalem to console Lazarus's sisters, Mary and Martha. (2)Lazarus was a friend of Jesus. The scripture tells us this, and we see it in the way Jesus weeps when he sees Lazarus's tomb. (3) Some would say, Jesus "owed" it to Mary, who in a moment of extravagant love, had washed Jesus' feet with expensive perfume and dried them with her hair. Of all the miracles, this is the one he should surely have performed- saving Lazarus. Yet, he chose not to. Instead, he chose to let His glory be displayed later, to the distress and dismay of everyone around. Why?

Jesus answers this question in verse 15: "You're about to be given new grounds for believing. Let's go there."

We as human beings are so stubborn about believing only what we see. If I could just trust that, since everything the bible says about God, I've found to be true, then all he must really have it all under control, my life would be much less complicated. Instead, I fuss about things and worry a lot and I doubt sometimes that God is who He says he is.

As for God, his way is perfect;
the word of the LORD is flawless.
He is a shield
for all who take refuge in him.- Psalm 18:30 (NIV)

God's plan isn't always pretty...

... but it's always perfect. Take a look at two stories from the book of Judges. In the first one, Ehud kills Eglon, king of Moab to rescue Israel from his rule. In this case, Eglon is so fat that the handle of Ehud's dagger disappears in Eglon's belly. In the second story, a woman named Jael kills an army commander named Sisera with a tent stake. Neither of these stories is really how we, as 21st century, civilized Christians, would prefer God's story of salvation to go. But, in both cases, they are answers to prayer. Before each of these stories, the bible tells us, "Israel cried out to The Lord for help." And, in both cases, The Lord helped.

Sure, it's messy. It's ugly. And, worst of all, it's not at all how we would have wanted God to answer our prayers. But then again, we don't get to choose, do we?

God is all-seeing, all-knowing, omni-present. We see only what's in our limited sphere, we know so little about God's plans, and we only live in the here and now. We sometimes just need to trust that God knows the best way to answer our prayers.

People often ask, "When you meet God, what will your first question be." I usually answer, "I won't ask anything. I'll either understand it all then, or it won't matter anymore."

Peace.

And how blessed all those in whom you live,
whose lives become roads you travel;
They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks,
discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!
God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and
at the last turn—Zion! God in full view! - Psalm 84:5-7 (The Message)

I love this idea that the roads God travels are the lives of those in whom he lives. In an earlier post, I talked about the idea that God resides with us on the earth, but that God lives in us and travels the paths of our lives with us should give great hope.

As we hiked up Camelback mountain in Scottsdale a few days ago, my wife was worn out. She was ready to quit at any moment. And, we got to the bend where I was sure she was done, and we started seeing people coming down... people who had passed us on the way up, and it gave us hope. Look, we each thought silently, they traveled the same trail we have, and they made it and are on their way back. I really think this, more than anything, gave her the strength and encouragement to make it to the top on her own. If we can be encouraged by other people making it to the top of a piddly little hike, how much more encouraged, then, should we be knowing God walks the roads of our lives with us. When we ask God into our hearts, He sends His spirit to come live in us and live our lives with us. I can rest in assurance that anything I go through, anything I do, anything I encounter, I am not alone.

The Beauty of Creation

So, yesterday, Benetta and I went hiking in Sedona, Arizona. It has to be the most beautiful place in the US, if not the world.



We had been there before, back in 1998. Then, we hiked Boynton Canyon, which I remember being beautiful, but not like this time. Yesterday, we hiked along the West Fork of Oak Creek, with it's stunning red rock formations and a liquid blue sky.

Part of the fascination yesterday stems from the absolutely perfect weather we had- mid-sixties, a few puffy clouds - ideal for hiking. But, part of it is that I am in a much better place spiritually than I was then. Last time I hiked Sedona, I was "communing with nature." This time, I was communing with God. Throughout the hike, I couldn't help but think of how awesome and powerful and totally artistic our God is. What a wonderful maker! A verse kept coming to mind from the book of Job. If you don't know the story, here's what happens... Job (pronounced Jobe) is a godly man, and satan thinks he can lure him away. So, the deceiver goes to God to get permission to try. God has faith that Job is a good man, so He agrees. Satan takes everything from Job- his family, his possessions, his livestock, his Bentley- everything. Then, after 37 chapters of Job's "friends" trying to figure out what Job must have done wrong to make this happen, and Job's crying out to God for answers, God decides, in chapter 38, to answer. Here's how it goes...

"Where were you when I created the earth?
Tell me, since you know so much!
Who decided on its size? Certainly you'll know that!
Who came up with the blueprints and measurements?
How was its foundation poured,
and who set the cornerstone,
While the morning stars sang in chorus
and all the angels shouted praise?
And who took charge of the ocean
when it gushed forth like a baby from the womb?
That was me! I wrapped it in soft clouds,
and tucked it in safely at night.
Then I made a playpen for it,
a strong playpen so it couldn't run loose,
And said, 'Stay here, this is your place.
Your wild tantrums are confined to this place.' "- Job 38:4-11 (the Message)

You can read the whole chapter here. God basically says, "Hey, I got this, don't worry. You don't understand anything, do you?"

Sometimes, I feel just like Job. When I question God about why something's happening in my life, why things aren't going the way I would like, I am really just doubting His soverignty. I think God is not in control. Then, I look around at what he's done... what He's done in my life in the last 10 years, what He's done with the earth, and making everything fit together and work together so perfectly and beautifully, and I'm reminded that I am not the one to question God. After all, where was I when he created the earth?

Of faith and famous people

So, I finally got to meet Rob Bell yesterday. Now, I've gone to a lot of places where Rob was. I've seen him speak at Catalyst. I got tickets to see him in Indianapolis last fall. I've read his books and listened to his sermons, but yesterday was the day I finally got to meet him. We're on vacation in Scottsdale, Arizona, and I saw him (and his wife and boys) in a Borders bookstore. It's weird running into people in places like that. I desperately wanted to tell him how much his teaching has meant to me, how I've used it in our church, but all I could get out is, "Hey man, I just read Sex God on the plane coming out here. Which was true. But I didn't tell him I was using it for sermon prep. I didn't tell him that a lot of us use his stuff for sermon prep. All I could say was, "thanks." Now, I've met a lot of famous people- governors, atheletes, race car drivers, authors (in fact, I saw Reggie Miller formerly of the Pacers at the Indy airport yesterday- but I don't usually get starstruck. For some reason, I was with Rob. So, anyway, if you ever read this, Rob, I really just wanted to say, "thanks."

We got off the plane yesterday and immediately headed for South Mountain Park in Phoenix, where we took a two hour hike from Buena Vista down to Hidden valley. It offered breathtaking views of the whole Phoenix metropolis. About every 100 feet, I'd jump as a lizard ran into the brittlebush and made it sound just like a rattlesnake. But, the amazing things to me were the rocks. Huge boulders, the size of two or three tractor trailers, perched precariously on top of other boulders equally hefty. Benetta and I were pondering, how did they get there, how long have they been there, how long will they be there, once they fall, how long will it take to get to the canyon bottom? Then, a thought occurred to me. Jesus said if we have as little faith as a mustard seed, we could move that rock. So, I said, "Rock, go jump in a lake". Nothing happened. I knew it wouldn't. That's the thing about faith. When we ask for something, knowing it won't happen, that isn't faith. It doesn't take faith to ask - it takes faith to believe. Faith to believe that...

rocks will get up and move

your friend will be healed of her cancer

my kids will grow up to be normal, productive humans

God is bigger than I am

Rob Bell is a nice guy and won't think I'm stalking him if I just say, "hi."


Peace.

How far would you go to bring a friend to Jesus?

Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.” Luke 5:18-20

I have friends that have waited in a cold drizzle for 6 hours to meet the Jonas Brothers. I have a friend that camped overnight in front of a Target store in below freezing temperatures to buy a Nintendo Wii. I am always amazed at the determination some people will go through to get what they want. But really, these friends of the paralyzed man were over the top in their zeal to meet Jesus.

In an age where a church service going 10 minutes too long is enough to send people into a tizzy, these guys were "all in." First, they carried their friend to this house on a sleeping mat - not a stretcher, a mat. Have you ever tried to carry a grown man on a mat? Then, when they couldn't get to the house, they carried him up ON THE ROOF! Hello? Then they removed some tiles (which were, hopefully, easily replaced later) and lowered him down in front of Jesus. This was early in the ministry of Jesus, but there was something about him - about the way he taught or lived or loved people - something. Something so powerful that these guys thought, "If only we could get our friend in front of Jesus, I know he'll walk again." And the cool part is, it worked. Now, we don't know if or how they prayed for Jesus to heal him, or if they asked friends to pray, or how that part of the story worked. But what we see is that they brought their friend to Jesus through their own faith and dogged determination. They decided that nothing - not people nor walls nor roofs, not even sheer exhaustion - nothing would keep them from bringing their friend to Jesus.

For me, I'm sometimes embarrassed to even ask if my friends know Jesus. Even people I know need healed, I know need forgiven, I know need loved. I often don't even try to bring them in front of Jesus. So, how far would you go to bring a friend to Jesus?