Live A Revolution... Every Day

Don't Molest People with Jesus

 
My brother-in-law, Matt, used this line a while ago in a discussion we were having with some of our leaders who are involved with Revolve. 

Don't molest people with Jesus. 

Here's what we mean:

Leaving tracts behind - I've seen them in phone booths, at restaurants and in restrooms. There's nothing like thinking you've found money only to realize you've been tricked, or as I like to say... tract.

Witnessing events - I was guilty of this. Multiple Friday's we would meet in downtown Lynchburg or at the local mall to go witnessing to any poor person who had the unfortunate timing of running into me. I would bait them with a question that had nothing to do with my purpose for walking up to them, then do the good ole switch and ask them... "If you would die tonight, where would you go." This is so short of the "gospel" that it's not even funny. In essence, what I was asking them is, "Are you going to burn in hell for all of eternity?" Nothing like event-based christianity.

Treating people like salvation projects - We've all done it. I have for sure. Nobody likes to feel like somebody's project.

Picketing - Whether you're standing outside an abortion clinic, or standing on the corner with signs that say, "God hates fags", this does not do anyone any good. Pretty sure everyone knows that christians aren't pro abortion. And the other... well, it's just plain hateful.

Webster's defines molest as: to annoy, disturb, or persecute with hostile intent.

So, what are some other ways this happens... maybe overtly or subvertly?

Or, maybe people need to be disturbed. If so, what does that look like?

Revolve Series: "Questions" - Week Two

 
 
Each week, a student picks a question to cover for the next week's meeting. It can be about anything. This week, we tackled: "How do I know what God's plan is for my life"

Below are some talking points that we took from an article from Dawson McAllister on christiananswers.net.

1. God's plan is first, that we have a relationship with him: 1 Timothy 2:3-4

2. The Bible will help us to know God's plan: Psalm 119:105

3. God promises to give us wisdom if we pray to him: James 1:5

4. God gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us in truth: John 16:13a

5. We need to ask others who are trustworthy: Proverbs 15:22

6. God has given each of us gifts and abilities (not just spiritual gifts): Romans 12:6-8

Next week... "What is the purpose of the earth (creation) and people?"

One Thing You Need to Make a Difference

If you want to make a difference...

Have More Conversation.

If you want to better your marriage...

Have More Conversation.

If you want to be a better parent...

Have More Conversation.

If you want to be a better friend...

Have More Conversation.

I think I need to...

Have More Conversation.

You?

 

I Can't Shake It... Changing My Thinking

I can't shake a phrase that Paul wrote in 1 Timmy 3:15: ..."This is the church of the living God..."

"... the church of the LIVING GOD..."

If you believe in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world, you belong to the church of the LIVING GOD.

If you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ, you ARE the church of the LIVING GOD.

The LIVING GOD who conquered death. The LIVING GOD who raised the dead. The LIVING GOD who healed the sick.

The LIVING GOD who conquered sin.

What are you struggling with right now? We each have them. Some are bigger than others.

But none is bigger than the LIVING GOD.

What in your life do you need to overcome? We all have and create for ourselves obstacles to overcome.

But none is bigger than the LIVING GOD.

What god are you serving or are enslaved to that you don't want to be?

The same LIVING GOD who came, who saw, and who kicked butt, is the same LIVING GOD who can save you.

When you think about God, is He just God? Or is He the...

LIVING GOD

!

"Deeper" - Scuba Diving and Spirituality

 

A couple of weekends ago, myself and a few friends were certified as Advanced Scuba Divers - which means we can dive deep... like 130 feet deep! It was an awesome experience. But it's also more work.

If I want to dive deeper, I'm required to do more. It's a bigger responsibility. It isn't simply just diving to 80 feet, or 100 feet, or 130 feet then return to the surface. When I dive this deep, there's some action steps I need to take. I need to be more aware as to whether or not I'm feeling loopy. I need to be more aware of the nitrogen levels in my system. And on the way up, I need to do a safety stop so I don't get decompression illness. Diving deeper means paying more attention to your buddy and his/her well-being. These are just some of the things that are required of someone who dives deeper than just a recreational diver. It's advanced baby!

I love the word deeper when it comes to diving. It means I get to see more things. But when used in the church context, it drives me nuts. It makes me want to crawl out of my skin because most of the time it's said in sentences like these below:

"I want to go deeper."

"I need deeper teaching."

"I need a deeper church."

"I want a church that has depth."

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Most of the time, when I've heard someone say these phrases, it involves sitting in a room wanting to be taught some deep theological principle.

Is it wrong to want to go deeper? Heck no.

But when going deeper is limited to no action, it's completely off and is completely frustrating.

Going deeper really has nothing to do with what church you attend or what book you are studying.

And the more I think about it, the more I'm realizing that going deeper is just like being an Advanced Scuba Diver. If you and I want to go deeper, it's gonna require more from us. It means that we're going to have to be more aware of the needs of those around us. It means that we're going to have to be more aware of the condition of other people's lives. Going deeper is action oriented. Going deeper means being the church and not simply going to church. Going deeper means paying more attention to the well-being of your buddy.

If what you're learning isn't put to action, you're just as shallow as the day you got saved - probably even shallower. Going deep isn't the understanding of hard theological principles. It isn't teaching verse by verse. Going deep is simply doing what Jesus taught and acted on Himself.

If you want to go deep, feed the hungry. If you want to go deep, befriend the friendless. If you want to go deep, GO and SERVE.

If you want depth, put to use what you are being taught.

Only then will you...

go deeper.

Peeing On A Tree

I'm not a dog owner now. But I've had dogs in the past. And I've taken dogs on my fair share of walks. Without fail, every time I took my dog for a walk, it would stop and pee on every tree, fire hydrant and fence post in sight.

It was marking its territory. Dogs do it all the time. It's so disgusting.

But dogs aren't the only ones who try to mark their territory - who call dibs.

It's one of the uglier sides of ministry that comes out in the form of jealousy, anger, or having the attitude of trying to out-doing "the other guys". It's a form of peeing on a tree - of marking our "ministry" territory.

And,

it's

just

as

disgusting.

I've been there and had that attitude.

But the thing is, it's not a competition to see who can mark the most property. We're all on the same team. And it's not about marking property - it's about saving lives.

And the attitude of peeing on trees needs to be neutered.

That's a First...

Susan responded to a recent article I wrote with this statement:

"I attend a medium size Lutheran church that offered it's first praise service this past week and the pastor did a great sermon."

I love it when new things are attempted. I love it when people step out and take risks. I'm not sure where this church is located, but they are risking their butts by doing a praise service. They've decided to try something new and risk failing for the call of God. I LOVE THAT.

There are times - many times - in my life where I've let fear grip me. Times where I didn't risk because of fear. I HATE THAT. So this is a great reminder for me - to not let fear grip me - to risk for the sake of Jesus and not worry about what people may think of me.

I may fail. But I would rather fail following the call of Jesus - fail trying - then fail because I didn't risk.

Susan, thank you for sharing your risk. I believe that people find courage in knowing that others are risking. Thank you for following Jesus.

I've Got A New Article Published @

 

This month, I've got a new web article published on The Journal of Student Ministries. Will Penner is the Executive Director, and has a blog I like to keep up on. When you get a chance, you can read it by clicking here. Here's a blurp below:

"As a kid I loved watching the circus on TV. And my favorite act was the tightrope walker.

I remember watching with my guts churning to find out whether or not this acrobat would make it across without falling. The tension was thick as millions of people watched the balancing act taking place on a tiny width of wire, waiting to see if the tightrope walker would fall. The look on the acrobat’s face was filled with stress; muscles were tight. It must have been the most uncomfortable place on earth during that walk. As I watched, it was as though I was feeling what this person must have been feeling—because by the completion of the stunt, I was worn out. 

As I think about the question, “Is there a difference between being balanced or being lukewarm?” I’ve come to the conclusion that there is a definite difference. 

Trying to be balanced is far worse than being lukewarm."

Click the link above to get at the rest of the article.

Power in Popsicles

One of the things Matt and I want to do with Revolve, is to change students' view of society - to give them another window to look at life through. One way we are doing that is through different types of service projects once every couple months. So this past Sunday (yesterday), Matt and I got a few students together and headed out to our targeted neighborhoods to pass out some popsicles to whoever we came across - kids and adults - didn't matter. We just wanted to bless our peeps - no matter how small it seemed to us. It was amazing to see faces light up and walls drop as we handed out "free" (that was the key phrase of the day) popsicles to people in what some would call "the hood". In fact, as we rounded one corner, the popsicle had so much power that a group, or what I would call a posse (15 or so teens), stopped their pursuit of one lone kid who, from what I could tell, what about to get beat up. How did I know that, oh, I don't know, maybe the phrase, "I'm gonna beat his ass," gave it away. But just as they said that, I said, "Hey y'all want some "free" popsicles?" You could almost hear the sound of tires screeching to a hault. And their anger and hatred turned to facination, to the relief of the kid about to get his a - I mean, butt beat. Oh, and as we left, everyone sat talking and laughing as they chomped on some flavor ice... even the kid who almost lost his butt. How cool is that. I would say... so cool.

And my prayer throughout, God help us to meet the needs of these folks. Help us to gain favor so that you will be made famous.

The Biker Way

Ok. This isn't a photo from me. This is a re-creation of what I saw this morning. A rough rider biker waiving at a not-so-rough motorcycle rider. I'm jealous. Motorcyle riders and Jeeps all waive at each other. I want to start a Honda Civic EX waive. Who's in!?

But seriously, this got me thinking. Two very different individuals enjoying the same type of thing waiving at and being good to each other. What if this was the picture of the church. What if the body of Christ all came together and waive at and be good to each other. Would hell freeze over? It just might!

"Say What?"

That's what I said to myself during a fairly important meeting I attended this morning. It always amazes me that two people can hear two completely different meanings from the exact same statement. Which got me thinking - am I guilty of that? Do I take the time to clarify? AND, am I communicating clearly and effectively? Another question - do I care enough to make sure people are "getting it?" These really are big questions. So how are you doing? How is the Church doing? The questions need to be asked because miscommunication can have some pretty terrible consequences. So let's keep the air clear.