The fine art of self-denial

"Even now," declares the LORD,
"return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning."
Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.- Joel 2:12-13

Why don't we fast more? I mean, I talk/write/complain a lot about how I want to be more like Him and less like me. So, why am I not willing to set my needs aside and focus on the needs of others? Why is it that I'm so obsessed with feeding my appetite, that nothing gets in the way? Not prayer, not tragedy, not sorrow... nothing.

Fasting yesterday, I learned again that (1) It's surprisingly easy, and (2) It really does change my focus from my desires to His desires. Since I've told you all I was fasting, I know my reward for it won't be in heaven. But, it was important enough for me to put this thought out to challenge you to try it, and to hold myself accountable.

Next time you're struggling... really struggling and seeking God's will, try denying yourself for a while. He'll show up.

What kind of church do you want?

Are you frustrated that everyone in your church doesn't believe the same things you do? Do you ever think that it would be much better, easier, or less icky if we all just agreed on some things? Take a look at this perspective from Tim Stevens, Executive Pastor at Granger Community Church.

You can read the whole post if you want, but I'll give you the highlights:
- 57% of those who attend Granger don't believe the authority of the bible
- 56% don't believe Jesus is the only way to eternal life
- 47% don't believe in salvation by grace
- Stevens kind of likes these stats

Find out why here.

David Crowder and the homeless guy

David Crowder is truly one of the funniest, hippest cats around. Great musician and terrific song writer, and he has apparently chosen to put himself right in the heart of a bad neighborhood in Waco, Texas.



So, this incident recorded on the Catalyst Conference website is, at the same time, amusing and thought provoking. Here is an excerpt:

John has basically told me that the homeless population near my house is 1) aware that there are such things as “Dove Awards” and 2) that my band and I have been nominated for some, and, 3) seriously? (!) The homeless had some type of meeting, or assembly, or whatever, and are praying we win? What on earth! That is the most ridiculous thing ever, and – what, seriously? Thoughts like this are in my head: David, you make assumptions that are wrong. You need to repent. You are evil.

To read the entire essay, click here.

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:40

Armloads of blessing

And now, God, do it again—
bring rains to our drought-stricken lives
So those who planted their crops in despair
will shout hurrahs at the harvest,
So those who went off with heavy hearts
will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.- Psalm 126:4-6 (The Message)

So, I'm really into this book Pop Goes the Church. In it, author Tim Stevens talks about being a missionary in your own neighborhood. He says, and I'm going to blow the exact words, but people can't see God's love if their basic needs aren't being met. In other words, to be relevant in a community, you have to gain permission by meeting their needs.

Which got me thinking... what are the needs that need met in our community? Is it basic necessities (food, shelter, utilities, clothing)? If so, how can we as a church meet those? Is it the general emptiness people feel in their lives? If so, how can we meet them. It got me thinking about this Psalm: "And now, God, do it again- bring rain to our doubt stricken lives."

So, until we figure out where people need their needs met, this will be my prayer.

Moses had a heart for killers

When God, your God, throws the nations out of the country
that God, your God, is giving you and you settle down in their cities and houses, you are to set aside three easily accessible cities in the land that God, your God, is giving you as your very own. Divide your land into thirds, this land that God, your God, is giving you to possess, and build roads to the towns so that anyone who accidentally kills another can flee there. - Deuteronomy 19:1-3(The Message)

This passage always got me. I used to think that this was something Moses just made up. We all know Moses was a murderer (even if an accidental one), and it would have been really easy for him, as he's getting commands from God, to just throw this one in on his own - make a refuge. But, now I think it's more than that.

First, I think God gives us answers to what we seek from him. Matthew 7:8 tells us we will find what we seek, and if Moses were bothered by this thoughtless act earlier in his life, it's likely he would have been seeking an answer for how to help others in the same situation. Since he certainly would have prayed about it and sought God's wisdom in earnest, it's likely God would have given him this answer.

Second, I have often seen God use people who have been through a situation to help others go through that same situation. This is the whole philosophy of the 12-step program, no? Let people who have been there help people who are there. Whether it's addictions, relationships, illness, or anything else we can go through, we're not the first to go through it. Often, one of the most powerful forces God puts in our lives are people who have been through what we're going through.

I have a friend right now who's going through a rough time in his marriage due to some poor choices he made. His strongest advocate and wisest counselor is another man who made those same poor choices a few years ago. God has worked in my friend's heart intensely through this relationship.

Former addicts have a heart for addicts. Divorcees have a heart for those going through divorce. Moses had a heart for killers. And when he sought God's wisdom, he found how to help them. If you seek His wisdom, you will find it too.