ACT like a Christian! Do you "resemble" that remark?

TOPIC: WAR & PEACE
yep,  that is the topic of the day and just the idea of have a true "open" discussion rooted in when and how violence might be "justified" in the world around us scared me more than a little.  As always, God was AWESOME, and a great discussion ensued.

My personal guiding principles/notes as shared:

• Do the ends really justify the means?
• My thought: The method of change should be rooted in and resemble the targeted end state. 
• Killing as % of population of world is an interesting metric to focus on. Assertion in class was that world killing has decreased as a result of the US dropping the atomic bomb on Japan and starting the nuclear age.  -- this would seem to disprove my idea... hmmmm,  need to learn more about this. would love to hear comments or facts to prove/disprove.
• We must use the "exact likeness of God" shown to us in Jesus Christ as a guiding principle to ACTing in our world.  
• We are called to action in a world in need of our service.
• Service and leadership are very different. 
• Leaders have to make choices that others have the luxury of only talking about.  Those actions speak for the rest of us. It is in appropriate to judge and indict so harshly unless we are willing to carry the burden.
• Shifting from a individual ideology to a collective "imposed" dictate for others is dangerous and must always be rooted in love, tolerance, inclusion, respect... 
• Violence should be the last resort as it damages all parties.
• Judgement delivered by men on and to other men is at the root of a very bad cycle of events.
• (GameTheory) comes into play in judging and acting in these cases.
• Self confidence and self respect are critical in evaluating and deciding on action towards others. We cannot build ourselves up by destroying or diminishing others. In fact the opposite is true. As we build each other up, we are all "increased".
• Remember that your enemy is a "specific, beloved, first born, child of Christ"!!! just like you...
• Actions are personal and should remain that way.
• Acting like a Christian requires the discipline of a plan.. specific tasks, with measurable goals and milestones... The problem is that our plan won't ever be finished...

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30 1-4; 11-20

The final paragraphs of the Smith & Helwys commentary(written by Brett Younger of McAfee School of theology in Atlanta) summed it up for me perfectly.. and I read these words aloud to close the class and then closed in prayer.  I hope they resonate with you no matter which God you worship and that you will consider what story your ACTIONS tell those around you. use of money, use of time... Do you act, or do you talk.. if so how.. What do you worship and how? war, peace, love, power...

Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote a short story titled "The Great Stone Face." It is the story of a young man named Earnest who is enamored with a face carved on the side of a mountain. Day after day, Ernest stares at the stone face. Bye the end of the story, his human face has started to resemble the one on the mountain. Remarkably, has has been transformed into the image of the face at which he has gazed.

The truth in the story is irrefutable: "What captures our attention shapes us. Focus day after day on a particular person or thing, and it will transform you. Nowhere is that more true than in our concept of God. We become like the God we worship. We are each transformed in the face of the God at which we gaze. Certainly, our concept of God will affect our view of war and peace. 

If our God is a warring God, the God of the Old Testament who regularly issues declarations of war on Israel's enemies, that God will shape us. We will have no problem with any "holy war" that endeavors to stamp out evil and bring in God's kingdom. 

If our God is a God who favors war over tyranny and oppression and can use war to bring about good, that God will shape us. We will have no problem with a "just war" that protects the innocent and seeks to alleviate atrocities.

If our God is a God who hates war and really means we are to love our enemies and turn the other cheek when someone attacks us, that God will shape us, too. We will have a problem with any war and will see it as an inadequate, un-Christian response to evil.

As always happens, our view of God affects the rest of our lives. In this case, it determines our view of war and peace. And our view of war and peace lets everyone know what kind of God we serve. 

If nothing else, these lessons on war and peace will give us occasion to consider again our own concept of God.

Demographics: Be not afraid... but.. Action Required.

Hi all,  here is a video on point for what we ended up talking about on Sunday in Open Door.  I had not planned it but I'm open to talking a lot more about this topic 1x1 or in small groups.  if you are interested....



I would reiterate my position that we have nothing to fear and that the way forward will always be tolerance, inclusion, and love demonstrated in our actions not just our words.  I don't know very much about Islam. I do know and testify to the love of Jesus Christ and I think that is where any discussion or action plan should start. We should follow a model of action which embodies the spirit and principles of that which we are professing.

This video is thought provoking, and very interesting to think about.  Let me know if you are interested in talking more.. AS for FEAR---  you should listen to what my friend Steven Condy says about it.. an amazing voice, and a beloved Christian heart and spirit. ---  FEAR NOT - http://ow.ly/2SbyF

Road Runner Religion

Do I approach life and each day filled with grace, or am I critical?
WHAT Exactly matters?
God loves to show up and show off!
Is you God big enough? in control of every situation, every moment. every option... (RoadRunner & Wile E Coyote, Bugs Bunny, Kobiyashi Maru-StarTrek)

Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 (MSG)

9 -13 But in the end, does it really make a difference what anyone does? I've had a good look at what God has given us to do—busywork, mostly. True, God made everything beautiful in itself and in its time—but he's left us in the dark, so we can never know what God is up to, whether he's coming or going. I've decided that there's nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life. That's it—eat, drink, and make the most of your job. It's God's gift.

14 I've also concluded that whatever God does, that's the way it's going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God's done it and that's it. That's so we'll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear. 

15 Whatever was, is. Whatever will be, is. That's how it always is with God.

Purpose and Perspective are inextricably linked.
Productivity is perspective.

1 Corinthians 15 (MSG)
Life is about service and the resurrection.
We must learn to receive, not achieve.
We must seek to serve and love, not consume, seeking the favor of our fellow men.

"We are called to patience, faithfulness, and trust.  as we lean into the sovereignty of God"

"Cliff Notes" on Ecclesiastes:

• Rejoice in the small blessings of every day, every moment.
• Remember that we are not God, our work is indeed futile, as are education, pleasure, community...
• Revere God, THE GOD, Omniscient, Loving, 

Martin Luther wrote: "The important thing is that we have a tranquil and quiet heart and a mind filled with joy, that we be content with the Word, and the work of God."

Michael Eaton: "The preacher's vast researches have found nothing in the finite earthly realm which can satisfy, the human heart intellectually, or practically. Though he has resolved to understand "all" that is under the sun, there is that within him which makes him realize he can never comprehend God's plan in its entirety. This is the nearest he comes to Augustine's maxim: "You have made us for yourself, and hour hearts are restless until they can find peace in you."

All is vanity. TOIL

Hope is not a management strategy.  Hope springs eternal. Hope is what you rely on when all else is lost.  Hope is what sustains you after you have executed a good management strategy.

Every day is an opportunity. I did nothing yesterday to deserve to wake up today. I'll use my time wisely.

Spirituality is a component of religion, but Religion is much more then spirituality.

Talk is cheap. Bless at least three people every week.. and make sure one of them doesn't deserve it.

Just because you believe something is spiritual, doesn't make it true.  Truth is revealed, and validated in scripture, prayers, circumstances and the church.. all together..  Start with spending more time with Jesus in prayer and reading the Bible.. the rest will come through service as you act on what is revealed there.

Church is not the point. The kingdom is the point. Your mission in the kingdom is to discern for yourself and act on your beliefs.

It always comes down to a simple point of faith.  Do you believe that Jesus died and rose again for you? If you do... your life should be noticeably different.  You should be doing Amazing things as you join God in his mission for the world  If you aren't.. maybe you are asking God to join you in your mission for the world...

Think about what you think.

People become Christians because the see and know Christians.
People reject Christianity because they see and know Christians.

Ecclesiastes 2: 17-26

Toil Is Meaningless
    17 So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless. 20 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. 21 For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune. 22 What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? 23 All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.
    24 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Sometimes God has a better idea Sunday October 03 2010 Posted by Rick Warren "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."  Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that. (James 4:15 NIV) " Have you noticed that things don't always turn out the way you want them to?  That sometimes God has a better idea? The Bible says in Proverbs 27:1, "Don't boast about tomorrow. You don't know what tomorrow's going to bring." (ESV) It's okay to make your plans, but remember that life is unpredictable and God says we shouldn't presume on it.  On the other hand, we shouldn't worry about it because God is in control. James 4 tells us the proper attitude to have:  "Now listen you who say 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make money.' Why, you don't even know what will happen tomorrow. ...  Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'" (vv. 13-15, NIV) James is saying it's OK to make plans, but just realize that ultimately God has the final word. The right attitude is to always keep your plans submitted to God.  Make your plans but say, "God, if this is what You want, this is the direction I'm going to go.  I'm doing this with flexible faith." Proverbs 16:9 says, "We should make our plans counting on God to direct us."  How do you do that?  By praying. When you get up in the morning and have your quiet time, say, "God, what do You want to do with this day?" Then when interruptions come, you'll remember God is in control.  It will dramatically lower the frustration level in your life as you remember it is not all up to you.

Refresh!

Strong Marriages - Intentional Parenting - Whole Families
Spread the word about a wonderful local retreat for couples looking to "refresh and strengthen their most important human relationship".  Presented by PEACE IN THE HOME.org

REFRESH: Saturday Nov 6, 2010 9am-Noon  more info, register online at http://peaceinthehome.org/refresh

• What kind of activities will be used?  Three topical and interactive presentations with breaks and couples' time opportunities.  Must register online.
• Cost?  $25 per couple before Oct. 6th.  $30 thereafter. 
• Childcare available?  Free child care available for children of registered couples. 
• Appropriate for what age couple?   actual age, marriage age...? 
• Married, engaged, dating.. all allowed?  for married and engaged couples with a wedding date.  No singles -- it's a marriage event.  Appropriate for anyone married 5 minutes to 50 years.