A Place To Serve (Relationship #11)

"What place represents holiness in your life? What place exists that would cause you to say no to a dream job?" (Sweet, 199)

Sweet turns his attention from relationships with people in previous chapters to the place of service - a place he calls Jerusalem. According to Sweet, not only is it important to surround yourself with people who lead you to your destiny, it's also important to recognize the place to which God has called you. In other words, the particular bush from which God called Moses was his Jerusalem. Later it was Egypt and finally in the desert leading the Israelites.

When I was in Bible College, I recall a professor asking, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" One after another said they saw themselves in a major ministry (large numbers) because that's the situation from which they came. The professor then turned his attention to the old man (I was ten years senior most classmates.) and awaited my response. "I see myself preaching in a small town church where many people don't consider going to minister. The church isn't small in mentality but only small on the map. It's not going to be the next mega-church. But those people need Christ as well".

My Jerusalem would be the small church. My "holy place" is where I can spend time with disciples of Christ and encourage them to grow in Christ. It's also where I'm challenged to be the person Christ intends me to be.

It's important to note not everyone appreciates your Jerusalem. Many of my friends can't understand why would someone go to a place with no trees, no water, hot summers, too many tumbleweeds, etc. But for some of us, that's what Jerusalem looks like. It's not any better or worse than other Jerusalems. God calls some to mountains and others to flat land. He calls some to retail jobs, some to public service, and others to ventures with minimal contact with others.

What's your Jerusalem?

VIP (Relationship #10)

Sweet shows the difference between being a "giver" and a "receiver" in a relationship. Many times, we feel the need to give. However, we can become uncomfortable when someone wants to give to us. The biggest problem seems to be our pride.

In this weeks Christian Standard, www.unstats.un.org displays the disparity between those of us in the USA ($41,768 GDP per capita per year) compared to those in Rwanda ($234 GDP per capita per year). The Internal Revenue Service records people in upper, middle, and lower classes of the economic ladder. Even those categories have subcategories. It seems to me that whatever "bowl" you find yourself in, you are comparatively rich.

When we understand how blessed we are, our hearts prompt us to give to those less fortunate. Sweet uses the example of Lydia - a believer using the resources she had to benefit others. Instead of hording her wealth and saving for a rainy day, Lydia chose to bless those less fortunate.

On the other hand, is the "receiver" in the relationship. Many times we think of the less fortunate as handicapped, socially inept, or unable to help themselves. But is it true? Are they incapable? inept? handicapped? or even less fortunate?

I know those with very little who give so much. They choose to bless others with what little they have. Many times they are rebuffed for attempting to give - especially by those who have more.

Sweet argues that we should be givers and receivers. There are times where giving seems to come naturally. However, most of us have trouble receiving from others. And yet that's what we're called to do.

When we fail to receive, we can't meet Christ. God has always been the giver. Mankind has been the receiver. It's only when we learn to receive that we can learn to give.

Thoughts?

"Why Blog?" Friday Fodder

I'm amazed at how many people tell me they read the blog but don't know how to respond, don't care to, or choose not to. After a few questions, it's clear that there are some readers in the blogosphere reading As The Crow Flies.

I pray that whoever you are, you find encouragement here and at other blogs as well. The flesh in me is tempted to give up, throw in the towel, take my toys and go home, etc. This attitude prevails just because very few comment.

After a few days, the feeling seems to pass. I've found that blogging about what's going on inside my head or reviewing my latest read has beneficial to me. For that reason, I'll keep at it.

Thanks to those of you who respond and to those who don't. Thanks for taking the time simply to read. Who knows? Maybe God will use something as screwed up as me to bless someone else. I know I've been blessed.

You Need A Little One (Relationship #9)

Rhoda was the first child to speak in Luke's Acts. Peter had been thrown in prison and the believers were concerned for his safety. They had gathered at a home to pray. Upon God's releasing of Peter, he traveled to the house and knocked on the door. Young Rhoda recognized Peter's voice and attempted to convince the others he was at the door. Despite her attempts, those praying believed it was Peter's "ghost."

Sweet points out the young girl's faith. He also alludes to other accounts of Jesus' interaction with children. The purity or innocence is normally discussed when those accounts are considered. However, Sweet maintains the importance of stories and how children live out stories. It's only when we "grow up" and forget the importance of stories we fail to really live life.

I really appreciated how Sweet distinguishes between "childish" and "childless." In other words, when things don't work out for us, many times we have a childish faith - an attitude of "I'm taking my toys and going home." What our attitude should be is that of Rhoda or others in Scripture, realizing they can't but Christ can.

We all need faith of a child. It's also important to influence those Rhodas God places in our path. Thoughts?

The Reject (Relationship #8)

Each community seems to have members who are marginalized. For whatever reason, be it a mental issue, a physical ailment, or any other reason, these individuals just don't seem to fit in. Maybe you're that person. Maybe not.

Sadly, many churches fail to reach the "misfits" of society. I've even seen church people - those who claim Jesus as Savior - turn and go the other way, when the marginalized approaches. I've been guilty myself. But isn't that who and what Jesus was about?

Sweet gives the example of Zacchaeus. Little Zach was up a tree literally and figuratively. He would definitely be considered marginalized by society. And that's exactly who Christ ministers to.

And because most churches and most church people are inward focused, we don't interact with the Zacchaeus(s) of our world. Is it too harsh to say most churches and most church people? I'm afraid not. Sweet maintains, "We have tried to 'live in' rather than 'live out' the gospel...The Christian church is too 'in here' and not enough 'out there'" (152).

Who's the Zacchaeus you minister to? Who do you go out of your way to serve when others are running the other way?

God Is Good!

Back to the Sweet "stuff" tomorrow. As for today's post, please allow me...

God is good. No really. I mean God is GOOD. I've been thinking the last few days about blessings in my life. Many of those things I take for granted - the food, the shelter, the clothes, the running water, the "job" I have (I can't believe I get paid to minister), the diversity of people that God places in my life, etc. I could go on and on.

On Sunday, our community of believers watched a video of those we recently sent to Mexico to build houses. When I use the word "houses" I really mean cinderblock structures - no office space, no bathroom, no running water, no lazy-boy or reading light. But those who received the building were extremely grateful to make this their home. Those reporting said, "Our lives will never be the same." Needless to say, there wasn't a dry eye in the room.

When I say "God is GOOD", I know that's nothing new. All good things originate with God. As the Psalmist records, "O come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker! For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand" (Psalm 95:6-7 NRSV)

Sometimes it's good to just speak the truth simply. GOD IS GOOD!

Friday Fodder

I've been reading through The Ancient Practice Series. It's been a chance to understand Christian heritage and to ask important questions. Robert Benson writes the second book in the series entitled In Constant Prayer.

Benson suggests Christians should return to praying the divine office. In other words obtaining a prayer book and being liturgical in prayer (Lauds, Prime, Terce, None, Sext, Vespers, Compline). I'm really enjoying the book. However, because of the tradition in which I was raised, I've never prayed as Benson suggests.

Does God bless a certain way of prayer? Does the way we pray need to be changed from time to time? What are your experiences/thoughts?