Missional Living??

The term "missional" came into popularity in the late 90s with a book called "The Missional Church", by Darrell Guder When I first heard the term it intrigued me and I have come to appreciate the implications of "missional living" vs. "missions programs".

As a community of Christ followers (AKA. disciples) missions is not something we do over there somewhere, but rather it is a way we live life, a lens we look at our world and life through. We begin to look at life missionaly, as though we had a purpose and direction everyday and everywhere.

We are to live life as people on a mission, a mission to do good in the name of Christ, to eradicate suffering every time it is in our power to do so, a mission to care for our fellow man, a mission to introduce those we encounter to the greatest life found in Christ alone. 

When we begin to look at day to day life in a missional way, we begin to live everyday as though it had purpose; just as much purpose as an afternoon spent in the slums of India loving children. 

So may you and I begin to see life as an adventure in which every word and every action matter, and, in the words of Jesus, may you "let your LIGHT so shine before men that when the see your good WORKS they will glorify your Father in heaven"

Peace To You,

Pastor Jonathan

Fait Accompli - March 15, 2009

The story of the Amalekites is one that I have looked at numerous times over the last several years. It is one of those teachings of scripture that has impacted me in a very personal way and continues to shape my daily battle to lay hold of that which Christ has made available; righteousness, holiness, and godliness. I am convinced that most of us have an Amalek; a battle that was thrown on us from a young age, maybe as a new believer, maybe as a child. A battle that we didn't ask for but find ourselves fighting in some capacity the rest of our lives.

This is a private battle, a life-long epic struggle to maintain authority over my own heart and life. The reality is that as long as I keep fighting, it becomes easier. I wise up to the enemies tactics, I am conditioned and healthy with energy to fight. However, as soon as I begin to concede, little by little; bit by bit the enemy gains strength and I lose mine.

In my observation, these epic battles are often fought in secret. The battles that we fight the longest, we tend to have the most shame associated with. But here is the deal, fighting in the dark is advantage to the enemy; fighting in the light is to our advantage. Provers 28:13 says "He who conceals his transgression will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion." Don't fight on the enemies terms, fight in the broad daylight of truth. The victory is available; so fight as if to win.

Fighting with you,

Aaron

Hell or High Water - March 8, 2009

Years ago when I was still living at home in the city of Manila, my father was renting storage space from an abandoned bowling alley for Resources for the Blind Inc. The storage space ran along the back wall of the bowling alley behind the pin machines. This space was used to store thousands of copies of braille and large print bibles and hundreds of thousands of cassette tapes. This was no back room closet but a small warehouse of supplies and materials belonging to RBI. The building owners devised a great plan and decided to make better use of the space by turning the bowling alley into a casino. This meant that RBI would need to find a new storage facility, a difficult task in a city as tightly packed as Manila. After several attempts to renegotiate a deal to keep their corridor of storage, they were forced out by men who demonstrated no concern whatsoever for RBI's interests.

I have had times in my own life, similar to the Red Sea experience where I was convinced that God was just making things hard on me. I didn't see his gentle hand at work, I focused entirely on the need of my immediate situation and questioned God's plan. The Israelites thought for sure that God had made a mistake that would cost them all dearly. Of course He hadn't; He was caring for His children and protecting them from harm at the same time.

About a week after RBI was finally evicted from their much needed space, the entire building burnt to the ground. And I don't mean smoked out, I mean burnt to the concrete floor. Do you trust God enough to believe He is in charge in the midst of adversity? Or do trials diminish your faith? His perspective is infinitely greater than ours and I am constantly challenged to believe Him, to trust Him, and to take confidence in His good intentions for me.

Believing Him with you,

Aaron

Passed Over not Overlooked - 3/02/09

If you thought my sermon was quick my blog will be even quicker. The question of how the Lord finds us waiting for deliverance has been a reoccurring theme in my own life. On the eve of His final judgment, when He was on the verge of delivering Israel from their enslavers, God commanded them to feast. Not to fret. Not to work. To feast. To celebrate who God is, what he's done and will do on their behalf. One of the scriptures I constantly return to is Isaiah 26:8; "Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws we wait for you: your name and renown are the desire of our hearts." From this verse I understand that waiting for the Lord is an active waiting. The walls of a waiting room are most often lined with chairs to sit in. that's how we generally think of waiting. This verse tells us that waiting is an activity filled with faithfulness in obedience to what we know God has asked of us. Waiting on the Lord is an activity you do with Him!
The second thing I love about this verse is the object of our anticipation. Usually, when I'm waiting on the Lord I'm waiting for something, direction, provision, healing. The object of my anticipation consumes my thoughts, prayers and energy. That's what makes it so hard to wait! This verse, however, teaches us that the desire of our hearts is His "name and renown"! I don't wait for myself I wait for Him. The best part of making your waiting an activity of faithful obedience and making God's name and fame the thing we desire most is that while you wait, you have what you wait for. Beautiful! Taste and see! The Lord is good!

Skip Bowersox