Phil's name is still not Mark...

Table stakes

Who is at your  table? and who is not? and why?
Who's table are you willing to sit at.. and why?

I was so proud of how our conversation evolved this am.  It is indeed powerful when we begin to rationalize the implications of: no sacrifice we can ever make will ever be enough. The world will continue, the problems and blessing will remain.. but we can CHOOSE how we REACT.  The sacrifices have been made by God already, and we are loved..our "seat" is assured". It is despicable to exclude others from the table based on our human judgements of their worthiness.  Jesus calls us to action and that action is mercy not sacrifice or sacrificial ritual..   (seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly)

Talking points and experiences flow through my mind like a whirlwind..

• The seats at the table are open to everyone. 
• It is good to be at the table, but it dangerous.
• Hierarchical power structured based on "works/goodness" or "compliance with the law" are flawed at their very foundations.
• Phil's name is not Mark ;-) (BE)
• Discernment can only be done spiritually.  (BE)
• We must see people. Despite their actions, consequences. (BE/LOVE)
• If we create an exclusionary model intentionally or unintentionally, people are hurt..(LOVE)
• EVERYTHING we do must seek to include..(LOVE)
• Choice to action is individual for self, it is not to be prescribed for others..(SERVE)
• Inviting others to our table only goes so far. It must be balanced with going to their table.(BE & SERVE)
• Goal is not to "invite them to come to church, even to OpenDoor" the goal is be "Christ" for the world. walk around, live, set an example rooted in love and mercy every day (BE, LOVE, SERVE, REPEAT)

Matthew 9:9-13 The Calling of Matthew
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.
10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax-collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax-collectors and sinners?" 12 But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."
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(Micah 6:8 NIV) He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
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What God Is Looking For (Micah 6:1-8 MSG)
Listen now, listen to God: "Take your stand in court. If you have a complaint, tell the mountains; make your case to the hills. And now, Mountains, hear God's case; listen, Jury Earth— For I am bringing charges against my people. I am building a case against Israel.
"Dear people, how have I done you wrong? Have I burdened you, worn you out? Answer! I delivered you from a bad life in Egypt; I paid a good price to get you out of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you— and Aaron and Miriam to boot! Remember what Balak king of Moab tried to pull, and how Balaam son of Beor turned the tables on him. Remember all those stories about Shittim and Gilgal. Keep all God's salvation stories fresh and present."
How can I stand up before God and show proper respect to the high God? Should I bring an armload of offerings topped off with yearling calves? Would God be impressed with thousands of rams, with buckets and barrels of olive oil? Would he be moved if I sacrificed my firstborn child, my precious baby, to cancel my sin?  
But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,  be compassionate and loyal in your love, And don't take yourself too seriously—  take God seriously.

Joy or Despair. Your choice...Ooooohhhhhh

Life is hard
Life is not fair.
Throw a party and celebrate.
The end is certain and we win..



Zephaniah 3:8-20



We aren't called to WIN but we are called to show up and finish...

ROMANS 12
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.