Hearing What We Want to Hear

When Jesus came proclaiming the kingdom of God, his disciples asked, "Are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:) And this after three years of daily interaction with Him! The people wanted to make Him king. (John 6:15)They heard Jesus speaking of a kingdom and projected their own expectations and desires onto Him. We also hear what we want to hear. We form an opinion about someone and any further incident or statement reinforces that rather than allowing for the possibility of God changing that person.
I thank God that He is changing me over time. While I will probably never be the life of the party, I find it fascinating that He has called a former loner and introvert to circulate throughout the region and interact with people of diametrically opposed viewpoints and approaches to living for Christ.
May I also ask for your prayers. Some months ago another brother and myself submitted our names for eldership to the ekklesia we are in, and that God used us to plant. As the process has unfolded I find myself developing reservations about whether to continue. Some considerations include the calling to itinerant ministry, which seems the antithesis of the local elder's work, the fact that I live almost two hours away, and the sheer weight of the responsibility before God. ( Those who must give an account. Heb. 13:17)

Regional Gathering

The E. Cambridge group had the privilege of hosting our most recent New England regional gathering yesterday. We try to do this twice a year, in order to provide an opportunity for the saints to respond to the prayer of our Lord Jesus in John 17 for unity. Ultimately we had people from eleven different groups in four states come together. Although a little chilly, typical for NE this time of year, no rain fell on our picnic. We enjoyed a time of praise together, and then representatives of the different groups testified what God was doing with them, highlighted by John R's passionate appeal regarding Asia.
I thank God for those in our group who worked hard to bring this to pass- Russ, Josh & Rema and Matt & Mary. I also thank God for two groups, in Providence, RI, and Monson, MA that came for the first time, and for the three groups from southern ME that made the long trek south to join us. The more energetic played soccer later in the day while the rest of us enjoyed fellowship.
God is doing a good thing in our midst. These groups are not organizationally connected and represent numerous perspectives and approaches to life in Christ. Yet we are able to come together and respond to the leading of the Holy Spirit to glorify God through Jesus Christ. Thank you, Jesus

Life is Hard; God is faithful

Jesus said that in this world we would have tribulation (hardship) but to be of good cheer because He had overcome the world. (Paraphrase of John 16:33) As I continue to interact with people who seem mired in intractable issues (sometimes for decades)I am reminded of this verse. Our only true hope is in Jesus. He has overcome the flesh, the world, and the devil. If we go to anyone or anything else for refuge we will just sink deeper into the quicksand. I am further convinced that without a solid foundation in the Word of God, in which the Holy Spirit has revealed who God is, and what He has done for us in Jesus Christ, that we will just go around in circles.
Am extremely thankful for the doors that God has opened up for me this week. Traveled to Maine Tuesday, spending the day with Dan & Michelle in counsel and fellowship. Always a joy & privilege to give anything of what God has so painstakingly worked in me. Wednesday had several hours with Ron & Marianne in rich, warm fellowship. May God prosper our relationship in His Kingdom. Then I trekked to a different part of CT. to see brothers George and Denny. Good to see veteran warriors of the cross again.
Then last night was with Bud, Russ, and Bill. Solid time of prayer. Strengthen us, Lord, for as long as we are on this planet you have fruit for us to bear.

Sophistry & other things

As I come to the conclusion of Josh McDowell's "New Evidence that Demands a Verdict," a work of apologetics for the Christian faith, I have read more than I ever wanted to about the documentary hypothesis (which denies that Moses wrote the Pentateuch etc.), Form Criticism, (which essentially denies that the gospels are true)and the thinking of such skeptics and agnostics as David Hume & Immanuel Kant. Sophistry is defined as subtle, deceptive reasoning. I believe it comes from the arch-deceiver, the father of lies ( John 8:44) The best way to combat the lies is to know the truth. (John 8:31-32)
Glorious Friday encouraging and receiving encouragement from Josh, Gary, and Alex. Saturday morning met up with Matt & Josh, and later with Jose. God is good. Saturday evening had the privilege of getting together with the Monson group, and hearing what God is doing with them. Also introduced the theme of eldership with them, portraying it as part of God's order. (Acts 14:23 & Titus 1:5) Sunday morning back to Cambridge to share on the theme of discipleship, something most Christians of my acquaintance have not experienced. One on one relationships with God first, and then with one another, are the building blocks (living stones 1 Peter 2:5) of the church and the kingdom.

Book Review

While i have indicated various books that I was reading, and recommended several in previous posts, this will be the first actual review that I have done. Yesterday I completed reading John Piper's 2006 book "What Jesus Demands from the World" (Crossway publishers, Wheaton, IL.) He begins with the truth expressed in Matthew 28:18 (reiterated in many other places) that Jesus has been given ALL authority in heaven and on earth. Piper then writes of fifty express demands made by Jesus, based on His authority. These range from coming to, believing in, loving, listening and abiding in Jesus to humbling ourselves, worshiping God in Spirit and in truth, loving your enemies, giving sacrificially and making disciples. It is a comprehensive, hard hitting check list that, if evaluated honestly, gives us a clear sense of how we are doing in the sanctification process. One of the major flaws of much evangelical understanding in America is the idea that praying a one-time prayer, coming into some level of agreement with basic Christian doctrine, and interacting with the Church (often on our own terms) constitutes saving faith. I remain a strong believer in the doctrine of justification by faith (Rom 5:1) but this is invisible. How do we know that this has occurred? James says that he will show his faith by his works. (Jam 2:18) Piper's book, expressing what Jesus says in the gospels, provides a demanding review of the sanctification process.

Press On

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own." ( Phil 3:12) After lending John Piper's hard hitting book, "What Jesus Demands from the World," to a friend for a month, I have resumed reading it and recommend it highly. He takes Jesus' words from the Gospels and delivers them to our hearts. I am also reading Josh McDowell's compilation, "New Evidence That Demands A Verdict," a work of apologetics. While not for everyone, it is an extremely detailed intellectual defense of the Christian faith.
Was extremely blessed in gathering with the E. Cambridge brethren on Sunday. A number of people in the broader small (house) church arena theorize about missional and incarnational questions. I believe there is something to be said for actually getting into the trenches and trying to build. May I give my thanks and appreciation to God for the work He has done in our midst over the past three years. Together with my partner in ministry, MJW, we have labored and seen the development of a healthy ekklesia.
Looking forward to our regional gathering on 5/22 in which brethren from a number of NE groups come together to relish our unity in Christ, and increase trust and relationship with one another and so enhance our fruitfulness in the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you, Father. Also, thanks to our brother Russ for his hospitality and willingness to engage in mutual accountability.

What If?

What if Jesus really means what He says? That we will receive a reward for giving even a cup of water to a disciple. (Matt 10:42) Wouldn't this inspire us to do whatever we could for one another? Or that He really does want us to minister to the hungry, the stranger, the thirsty, the unclothed, the sick and the prisoner? (Matt 25:44-46) Or that He really does want us to make disciples rather than just go to church? Even in a small house church (18 adults, 5 little children) I am finding that the affairs of the group take up a lot of time, and that my mentoring efforts are mostly restricted to two people with whom I meet separately for two hours every two weeks.
I wonder how many American Christians have ever been discipled? (I recognize that the so-called Shepherding Movement gave this concept a bad name but it is Biblical so let's get over it & not throw out the baby with the bathwater.) How many ever received one on one teaching, care, prayer, and the pouring out of another life into our own on a consistent basis for a period of at least several years? I know I didn't. In my 30's I looked for a mentor, by 40 I realized I had to be my own mentor, and it is only in the last six years that I have actively pursued discipling others. Yet Jesus commands us to make disciples. (Matt 28:19)

Doors Keep Opening

Last Thursday evening got together with Taylor & Steve. Prayed and counseled together, supporting our brother Taylor in some questions and issues he was facing. The next morning up early to drive into Cambridge to see Gary. (Lord, help me to ask the right questions) Then off to the Financial District of Boston to meet up with Josh. One burrito, some good fellowship & counseling together & back to Gloucester. Saturday morning back to Cambridge, encouraging some blessed young men to relish their wives, and then off to Maine. Some excellent down home hospitality from Steve & Cis. Gathered with a group at their home that evening and stayed overnight. A delight to see Steve & Cis' children Stevie and Hannah growing up in the Lord. (Johnny got in way after my bedtime)
Sunday morning a quick breakfast & down to Malden to meet up with the saints. M. T. shared on friendship with God & I gave a quick overview of the three phases of salvation- regeneration, sanctification, and glorification. Used a handout which i don't usually do but think the brethren found it helpful. Will try this again. Great hospitality from Dan & Julie. Sunday afternoon finally back home.
Monday morning off to a big hospital in Boston to sit with the parents of a young woman undergoing a hysterectomy. Tag teamed with Matt & family, and Candice from our group. Met a woman from Providence, who, with her husband have been house churching for over twenty years. Turns out they know a number of the people that I also know. We were all in the chapel praying when a black couple came in. We didn't want to disturb one another so we were being quiet. I ended up praying for them and they joined us. The man was a pastor from Nigeria. Both husband and wife prayed with fervor for Amy. God is at work.