Love the local church?

Have you ever read a verse in the Bible and never thought much about it, only to have it hit you like a ton of bricks?  It's like someone brings out a flashlight to reveal a hidden treasure hidden in the dark. That's what happened when I recently read Psalm 87:2 and then commentary in Spurgeon's "Treasury of David."

"the LORD loves the gates of Zion
   more than all the dwellings of Jacob."  Psalm 87:2

Zion in the Old Testament is equated with local church community in the New Testament.  Charles Spurgeon says "At this hour the mystical teaching of these words is plain, God delights in the prayers and praises of Christian families and individuals, but he has a special eye to the assemblies of the faithful, and he has a special delight in their devotions in their church capacity." 

For all who disparage the local church because of hypocrisy, judgmentalism and well-documented detours from her mission, I can only say yes, we can and do get off track.  We are in constant need of mercy and the leadership of Jesus.

But for all our flaws Jesus has no plan B.  He doesn't allow us to disassociate from living in community with His followers for whatever reason.  It's not like He said "whenever the Internet and social networking arrives, people are gonna get really smart and and won't need to be in community..."

In today's consumerism, many people are just one offense or unmet need away from leaving relationship (whether it be marriage, friendship or local church). Somehow we've forgotten the art of love.

I've seen many people get tweaked by something, separate, and at the same time find a meaningful substitute to fill the void (like personal and family devotions). Sadly, the substitute and its excitement wane because they weren't wired to be isolated.

Check out the further comments on Psalm 87:2 (written over 100 years ago)

Some absent themselves from public worship, under pretense that they can serve the Lord at home as well in private. How many are apt to say, they see not but their time may be as well spent at home, in praying, reading some good book, or discoursing on some profitable subject, as in the use of ordinances in public assemblies! They see not but private prayer may be as good to them as public, or private reading and opening the Scripture as profitable as public preaching; they say of their private duties, as Naaman of the waters of Damascus, 2Ki 5:12: May I not serve the Lord as acceptably, with as much advantage, in private exercises of religion? May I not wash in these and be clean? They see not the great blessings God has annexed to public worship more than to private. Oh, but if it be thus, if one be as good as the other, what means the Lord to prefer one before the other? To what purpose did the Lord choose the gates of Zion, to place his name there, if he might have been worshipped as well in the dwellings of Jacob? How do men of this conceit run counter to the Lord? He prefers the gates of Zion, not only before one or some, but before all the dwellings of Jacob; and they prefer one such dwelling before the gates of Zion.—David Clarkson.

I say this at a time when many people at Smoky Hill Vineyard are encountering Jesus in a fresh way, experiencing real community, and many new people are being drawn in.  It's awesome!  And I'm aware of many other local churches who are thriving in the same way. 

Hopefully you will be encouraged by these words to press in and work through whatever obstacles you encounter so you can enjoy all God has for you in the context of community.

Lincoln, the Mission and my Mom

I got to spend a few days with my Mom in Lincoln, always an encouragement... When I arrived my sister took us to Sam and Louie's, a NY Pizza place (yes, in Lincoln). My sister lit up when ordering, saying "anchovies on the whole thing?" She was serious and we did.

A highlight was my mom taking me to People's City Mission where she works as an assistant to the Director. What an amazing place!

I was impacted by the crystal clear mission and purpose, largely due to "Pastor Tom" who runs things. Tom shared about being an advocate for the homeless, but also about his passion to see people from Lincoln bringing their gifts and talents, finding true meaning. He said "You don't have to fly overseas to serve people, you can come join us and experience all Jesus wants to do -- right here in Lincoln!" You can see it everywhere-- people know WHY they are serving and people know WHY they are being served!

They help the homeless go from the streets to experiencing respect, healing and restoration. They move people from the shelter into transitional housing and then into their own place, all the while teaching job and life skills.

It was cool visiting their Medical Clinic. In just 2 1/2 years they have become the largest free Medical Clinic in the United States, last year seeing over 11,000 patients. The care is completely free, provided by medical professionals who volunteer their time.

We met Chris who works in the office of the Medical Clinic and got a tour. Chris told us she used to work for the phone company and didn't plan on leaving the hectic pace there for something even busier, like it had been a shock to her system. But she said it was amazing seeing so many people being helped... Then she threw in that her dad who had retired from the mission field brought her lunch every day and that meant the world to her. It was like God affirming His love for Chris every day as she serves.

There were many other wonderful people I got to meet, all gripped by something beyond themselves. I think if Bob Buford was to write another Half-Time book, he'd want to visit the People's City Mission just to see hundreds of people finding purpose through something more than the corporate grind and pursuit of position and power.

The biggest highlight was seeing my Mom in action. She is one of the most selfless people I know, one of those rare people who thinks of others first. Seriously.

Mom has always been in the traffic of God's heart for the hurting. She is always showing the love of Jesus to people who are dealing with brokenness, pain, loneliness and the world screaming that they are worthless.

And she seems to get strategically placed to strengthen and pray for others who are called to the same. I can't even imagine the effect of her prayers, how heaven is moved when she takes on a new assignment (or an old one like praying for her friends, her son and daughter, grandkids, great-grandkids).

I am so thankful for a Mom who takes her calling and purpose seriously. She inspires me to be a better husband and father. She leaves me in the dust in her compassion for others. But she keeps coming back to make sure I'm keeping up :)

Good Friday and Easter

Recalling the events of this week in Jesus' life and at some level entering in to them can be life-changing.

That is why Good Friday and Easter are inseparable.

Easter without Good Friday would mean we can't be reconciled to God. No sacrifice, no forgiveness.

Good Friday without Easter would mean there is no hope. No ultimate victory over sin, death and the grave.

In recalling the events of the week - just think of what Jesus must have been experiencing today, knowing Thursday would culminate in rejection by his closest friends, unrivaled suffering and then death. And to think how He must have struggled to keep the main purpose in view? Spending time with His Father knowing in a few hours He would feel totally separated and alone? What if those hours in prayer were the only way He could keep focus and endure?

All the while Jesus kept a bigger purpose was in view...

Check out the Message translation of Hebrews 10:11-17

Every priest goes to work at the altar each day, offers the same old sacrifices year in, year out, and never makes a dent in the sin problem. As a priest, Christ made a single sacrifice for sins, and that was it! Then he sat down right beside God and waited for his enemies to cave in. It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process. The Holy Spirit confirms this:

This new plan I'm making with Israel isn't going to be written on paper, isn't going to be chiseled in stone; This time "I'm writing out the plan in them, carving it on the lining of their hearts.

How about that "new plan?!!" God is writing it and carving it on the lining of our hearts!

So as we reflect and worship on Good Friday, we look forward to experiencing His plan and celebrating His victory on Resurrection Sunday!