Leading Yourself

This recent post (below) from Dave Ferguson caught my attention a few weeks back. He highlights a self-leadership tool to help you grow personally.

Last week, as I taught through Psalm 1:3 at Westside, about becoming a Life-Giving-Restorative Person, I thought his post could be helpful as a reflection tool:

From Dave:

We refer to this tool, "checking your RPM'S." ... based on Luke 2:52 that says, "Jesus grew in wisdom (mental) and stature (physical), and in favor with God (spiritual) and men (relational)." So for the last week on a daily bais I have put at the top of my journal these four letters: R (relational), P (physicial), M (mental) and S (spiritual) and given myself a 1-10 rating. I am already convinced that using this tool on a daily basis,...may be one of the most powerful self-leadership tools around. I would strongly encourage you to try it for yourself. Let me briefly explain each of these and give you a few questions to ask in your own daily self-evaluation.

RELATIONAL: Our relational world typically includes the people with whom we interact on a regular basis: our immediate family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and small group members. Here are some questions you can ask yourself.

• How are my relationships at home?
• What about my marriage, dating, or family life is going well? What’s not going so well? What would I like to change?
• Who do I consider my closest friend? How is God using that relationship to grow me?
• What are my relationships at work like?
• Which of my relationships give my energy and life? Which are the most challenging or draining?

PHYSICAL: Our physical well-being is often the most overlooked aspect of a leaders life. Yet diet, exercise, sleep, and rest are all vital to our ability to lead effectively. If we are serious about developing as a whole person, we have to take seriously our physical well-being. Here are some good questions to ask:

• Am I getting enough rest?
• How is my current energy level?
• What am I doing to maintain good health when it comes to exercise and eating habits?
• Is there anything about my physical health that I'd like to change?

MENTAL: Another often-overlooked aspect is the development of our minds. In order for us to stay sharp and be a lifelong learners, we need to be challenged. Here are some questions we can ask to see if we are developing mentally:

• What have I been learning lately?
  
• How am I applying what I are learning?
  
• What magazines, books, or websites do I read or access?
  
• What thoughts have been dominating my mind? Are they drawing me closer to God? Are they pulling me away from him?
  

SPIRITUAL: It is also imperative that we discover and act on whatever it is that helps us grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus. Here are some questions we can ask to see how we are developing spiritually:

• How would I describe my relationship with Christ right now?
  
• What does it look like when I am feeling closely connected to God?
  
• Which spiritual disciplines seem to help me draw closer to Jesus? Prayer? Journaling? Worship? Solitude?
  
• Who is holding me accountable to practicing these disciplines?
  
• What has God been saying to me lately through his Word? The Holy Spirit? Other Christ followers? Prayer?
  

The longer I am in leadership the more I am convinced that the most important leadership we can offer is self-leadership. Use this tool everyday and lead yourself!

What do you think? Helpful?

Trees and Streams

Psalms 1 describes a certain kind of person. A person who is...

…like a TREE planted by STREAMS of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

Wisdom literature (e.g. psalms and proverbs) often use a 'tree' as an image for wisdom. You'll also see the combination of 'wisdom' and 'tree of life' used to describe someone who is life-giving or restorative (e.g. Proverbs 3:18; 11:30; 15:4).

Imagine if part of our vision for life would be to become this kind of person:

Life-Giving-Restorative Person.

A person who...
...Blesses others
...Injects life into people around us
...Nurtures people
...Gives hope
...Contributes to the well being of those in his/her life

Does your spouse feel this about you? Are your friends better off because of you or thankful for you? Is your community getting an injection of life because you live there? Have you contributed to the well being of someone in your church recently?

This person doesn't happen by accident. Like the tree, they are intentionally located near streams.

Fruit trees don't grow by accident. They grow naturally, but only if they are nourished. This tree was located near an irrigation canal that constantly fed it.

E.G. Eccl. 2:5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. ⁶ I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.

If you want to become this Life-Giving-Restorative Person, what kind of streams have you included in your life to help you grow into this?

To be honest, the GOAL is BECOMING, the means are the STREAMS.
The goal of a fruit tree is fruit, but the means aren't fruit, it's the streams.

STREAMS GROW THE TREES
TREES YIELD FRUIT

STREAM SUGGESTIONS:

...Communion with God.
...Spiritual Community with Christ followers.
...Rest.
...Reflection.
...Practicing Generosity and Servanthood.

As you're reflecting on what kind of 2012 you'd like to have, and more importantly, what kind of person you'd like to become, consider the following.

DO I WANT TO BECOME A LIFE-GIVING-RESTORATIVE-PERSON?

ARE THERE STREAMS IN MY LIFE THAT WILL NURTURE ME TOWARDS THIS?

WHAT STREAMS MUST I PUT IN PLACE TO NURTURE ME TOWARDS THIS?
(are there things in my schedule prohibiting me from including a healthy stream?)

* you can use this idea with other goals in your life (go ahead, it's helpful), however the psalm writer seems to believe that one of the more important visions for life the vision in 1:3

Disadvantage to advantage

As we wrapped up a series on Justice this morning at Westside we focused on the early church and then how we can do justice today. We highlighted how the church was able to do justice and hovered around 3 main ideas:

Awareness: you can never meet someone's need unless you're aware of it.
Sacrifice: needs will not be met without sacrifice
Overflow: the church not only met needs among them but also around them

The biggest challenge I left with was the idea of sacrifice.

Sacrifice is putting yourself at a disadvantage for the advantage of others.

I withhold something I want to meet someone's need.
I take time from my day to help someone else
I buy less Christmas gifts or none to build a well in Africa
I reduce my budget to sponsor mission and compassion projects

At a corporate level this might mean that pay scale and benefits are given at the cost of the management or vp salaries.
Mondragon, a Coop Corporation highlighted in the notes of Tim Keller's book, Generous Justice, apparently doesn't allow the top employees to make more than 5x than the bottom ones. They also give 10% of profits to community development. Interesting (I'm only quoting this as an example not as a rule or best practice, but it does demonstrate the principle of disadvantage for another's advantage)

Compare that with a 178$ Liz Claiborne jacket that costs .77 to make (another eg from Keller's book)
This is the reverse: advantage at someone else's disadvantage.

This call to act justly, whether its helping a friend who's lost their job, providing food for a family in my church, meeting a local need, taking the time to help a person get on their feet, or rescuing a child from sex trafficking for 4500$ - it all requires sacrifice. It means putting myself at a disadvantage to advantage someone else.

How are you challenged by this?
Do you see anyone living like this regularly?
How can we make steps toward this?
Does the gospel produce this kind of desire?

even there???? (gospel impact)

Do you ever feel like NO ONE is interested in God or the gospel?
Does it seem like NO ONE in your family will ever open up to the gospel?
Maybe you wonder if the gospel will penetrate your own life, marriage, home, heart?

A 1st century church in Philippi probably thought the same thing. Paul's letter to them (Philippians) reminded them that God's work started in them would come to completion (1:6). Paul challenged them to live their faith out in life and practice, to see themselves as citizens of heaven (chap 1-2).

But what about the gospel really making an impact around them?

Paul's last line in this letter must have floored them.

"the believers in Caesar's House send you greeting" (Phil. 4:22)

WHAT? WHO? IS THIS POSSIBLE?

Employees in Caesar's (Nero's) own empire are following Jesus!!! How did this happen?
Paul does mention that news of Jesus was spreading to the guards (1:13).

Imagine in a context where ROME's rule and influence - Caesar's power - touched every aspect of life (politics, economy, family, lifestyle, values, religion). YET, even there, the gospel got through.

THE GOSPEL GOT THROUGH. It penetrated. The result?? People within Caesar's house are now following Jesus.

If they can do it, the Philippians can do it. If they can do it, we can do it.

Because God's spirit empowers believers to love and serve God in any culture and circumstance. God's spirit can woo anyone, anywhere, towards Jesus - and reveal God to them.

Can the gospel penetrate your marriage? YES
Can it penetrate your neighborhood? YES
Your co-worker? YES
What about you? YES

If it broke through Caesar's house and transformed people there, I have a wonderful hope that it can even do that in me, and you, and our city.

GREATER THINGS ARE YET TO COME...

Contentment through the Gospel

I'm not sure if any message in scripture can be this simple, but after teaching through Philippians 4:10-19 this past Sunday at Westside, this infographic is stuck in my mind. So here's a crack at it.


Is is helpful? Any thing to add or comment on?

Stand Firm

"Stand Firm in the Lord in this way" (Phil. 3:21)

In what Way?

As Citizens of Heaven who know Jesus will one day return and transform our bodies into a glorious body like his.

In the way that ANTICIPATES RESTORATION.
...that waits for NEW CREATION

BUT, in the mean time live like we are an OUTPOST of Heaven.
...reflecting heaven on earth
...demonstrate the values of God's Kingdom through our lives
...answering Jesus' prayer that God's kingdom would come on earth

Stand Firm?

It's not easy to live this way in a culture that ranges anywhere from uninterested in Jesus to enemies of the cross (Phil. 3:18)

Sometimes it feels like Moses and the Israelites in front of the Red Sea with the Egyptians behind them.

A friend of mine after Westside's gathering yesterday reminded me of Moses' words to them:

Stand firm and watch God do his work of salvation for you today. (Ex. 14:13, The Message)

What great inspiration to live as Citizens of Heaven.

Stand firm - as Citizens of Heaven - in our world - regardless of what's behind us or ahead of us - anticipating God's work of salvation for you today, and into eternity.

Tangible Force: The Church

I'm speaking at a regional church gathering in June celebrating 50 years of ministry, but now looking forward into the future.

They gave me their theme: From Today to Tomorrow and have asked me to share about what the church needs to focus on moving into the future.

I'm humbled and wonder what God might want me to contribute to his work here.

Here's a brief write up they asked me for that hints at what the message will be about:

From Here to Tomorrow: The Church as a Tangible Force
Fast Company and Wired magazine talk about what the future will be like. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs dream about it. Google and Facebook are claiming it.
Though I love to dream up the future, I have no idea what it’s going to be like.
What about the church? Does the church have a future? Does the future have a church? Where do we go from here into tomorrow?
Whatever the future will be like, I have a strong conviction that the church must engage it. It’s not an option. It was never an option for any generation.
My deepest hope is that whatever the future will look like, the church will be a Tangible Force within it. A presence that will touch the fabric of our culture in Quebec and beyond. The scriptures call us Living Stones (1 Peter 2:5). Concrete, yet breathing. Present, yet progressing.
The world is craving for a spiritual presence that is real and active. Culture is tired of hearing promises from religion. Our province longs for a tangible expression of the church that reflects the heartbeat of God and the good news of the gospel.
Let’s pray that together, as we celebrate 50 years of ministry in Quebec, that we can move from here to tomorrow. The future awaits us.

Gospel Shaped Life = contrast??

Currently walking through Philippians at Westside, we arrived at 1:27 that says: Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.

This speaks of ORDERING YOUR LIFE AROUND THE GOSPEL - living in such a way that your life reflects, expresses, communicates, breathes out the gospel of Jesus.

Paul later highlights that this kind of life can bring on suffering (as he and the Philippian church was experiencing). They were suffering b/c of their faith in Jesus. Some aspects of their life as Christ followers became a contrast to their culture and therefore created hostility towards them. (They thought of themselves more as heavenly citizens in their city than Roman citizens in Philippi)

1:29 is a tough verse: For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,...

It's a privilege not only to believe in Jesus, but to suffer for him. Following Christ includes the gift of belief and suffering.

I've been stuck in thinking of ways we in North America suffer for Christ. For the most part, we don't lose our jobs or purchasing power, we don't lose friends or family (some might). Of course honoring Christ might create less financial success in some areas or less popularity among some crowds.

The rest of Philippians gives us examples of the kind of contrast a gospel life might demonstrate in our culture. For now, maybe we can start here - with Jesus words in Matthew 5 - of how to SHAPE/ORDER our lives around the gospel. Maybe this kind of life is more of a contrast in our Western context. What do you think?

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

When you lighten things up too much.

This morning I was speaking at Westside Gathering in a series called, Why Work?

It's been a tough series for me to teach. Not because there's not enough to say about work, but mainly because there too much to say. Even more so because as I teach I'm feeling the struggle that some people have with their jobs. And though it would be easy to inspire, pump up, and challenge people to do what they love, change the world, find a job that fits your strengths - sometimes, at least for a season - that's not always possible.

But this post isn't about the struggle, it's about something I did because of the struggle.

I opened up the end of the talk for Q&A to allow people to share the tension that arises with what the scriptures teach about work. To share openly the specific situations the scriptures might not emphasize, but are still work related and need spiritual discernment to work through.

So as people are sharing, I'd often lighten up their comment - a little joke, a quick remark, fun sarcasm, etc. It was all in good fun and made for some good discussion, and honestly didn't stop anyone from sharing. But as I reflected about it, I wonder if maybe I belittled someone's experience, someone's situation, someone's struggle or question. I know my church and they know me, and we both know each other well enough to joke around and be down to earth with each other. But the question still lingers in me - did I lighten it up too much?

Is there moments we need to be more mindful of the heartfelt openness of someone when they're sharing, to know that the best thing to do is listen and not respond?

Any thoughts?

TO LISTEN TO THE SERIES GO HERE.

Why learn from culture

Westside started a series last Sunday called AT THE MOVIES. We'll go through different popular movies this last year and see if they have anything to teach us. I.E. is there something in these movies that affirm how God is already trying to shape us through the scriptures.

I often wonder if that takes away from starting with the Bible?

But Phil. 4:8 helps us see that we must be able to discern when things affirm truth.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

If God is real and if God is right, then he must be trying to affirm the kind of life he's created us for outside of just the scriptures. Though the scriptures are HIS word to us and our final authority when discerning other voices, I think it's important to know when other voices echo what God is trying to tell us.

Here's why I try to look for those affirmations:

1. they help me see that God speaks our language - b/c he loves us and wants to get our attention.

2. they help me see that the human heart searches for God - or the life he's created for us; so when we notice someone yearning for justice or purity or love - it affirms what the scriptures already tell us about how God created us in his image

3. messages that affirm God's truth in our culture help us connect people to God. if people could see some movie or song or poem they're excited about is echoing a message God has already been saying, this can help them see that God not only exists but that he's worth getting to know

the God beyond us...

Last week at Westside I spoke out of Isaiah 6:1-8 and focused on our deep need to experience the holy presence of God if we want to be able to respond authentically, like Isaiah did, to God's invitation to "Go on his behalf." Isaiah's response was, "Here I am. Send me."

There was a deep sense in Isaiah's experience that God is a holy God, 'other' than ourselves. And in many ways we must be willing to surrender our preconceptions of a goody, goody God, if we want to experience the Good and Holy God.

God is powerful, holy, just, righteous, majestic. Heavenly beings sing of him, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty."

Isaiah's response to his presence was "I'm wrecked... I have unclean lips, and by nation is unclean too." (my paraphrase)

So how do we view a God like this?
How do we relate to him?
Is he good even though he's Almighty?

I quoted C.S. Lewis' words in the Narnia tales, and recently found Tim Keller referring to them... so I'll let you read it for yourself.

C.S. Lewis was always at pains to maintain the Biblical tension between the divine love and his overwhelming holiness and splendor. In the introduction to his book The Problem of Pain, Lewis cited the example from the children’s text The Wind in the Willows where two characters, Rat and Mole, approach divinity.

“Afraid?” murmured the Rat, his eyes shining with unutterable love. “Afraid? of Him? O, never, never. And yet — and yet — O Mole, I am afraid.”

Lewis sought to get this across at many places through his Narnia tales. One of the most memorable is the description of Aslan.

“Safe?…Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

Wow. What an amazing God we serve. He's so very Good. But he's not so safe that he can be tamed by our boundaries.

THE STORY (new series)

Starting a new teaching series in 2 weeks called THE STORY.

We're going to walk through the whole biblical story in 6 weeks. It will be like a DRAMA with 6 acts. Chapter by chapter, we hope to retell the old old story!!

I have been growing into this theme for about 2 years now. I still don't feel prepared though. The books I've read boast 10-15 years of reflection on this and usually their focused work, so it will be my best shot given the time I have.

STORIES have a way of captivating you, drawing you in, inviting you to enter. I love this about the Bible. It's not just propositions, or doctrine, or principles. It's a beautiful, adventurous, authentic story - filled with real people and real experiences - all contributing to God's GRAND NARRATIVE.

Some books that have influenced me in the last 2 years have been:
The Divine Embrace (Robert Webber)
Embracing Grace (Scot McKnight)
Simply Christian (NT Wright)
Eat this Book (Eugene Peterson)

We start on November 1!! It will last 6 weeks. AND our small groups will be unpacking it further during the week. MORE INFO: www.thewestsidegathering.com

If you're reading this and always wanted an intro to Christianity or the story of the Bible, why not consider joining us. Regardless of where you or on a spiritual journey, or even if you're not on one, you're welcome to come and explore with us.

Family Matters (at Westside)

Westside's next Sunday series, starts Sept. 27th, runs until Oct. 18. Hope to see you there.

Matthew's Gospel Finale

 ^16-17Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.

 ^18-20Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: "God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:16-20, The Message)

SUMMER 09' CHALLENGE

MAKING SUMMER 09’ PART OF YOUR FUTURE (post thoughts from Matthew 25 series at Westside)

What will your summer look like?

Will it look like Matthew 25:31-46?

Will there be someone you feed, give a drink to, go visit when sick (or down, depressed, hurting, alone), cloth when naked (or help with resources if they’re down), visit in prison (literally, or maybe someone who feels trapped by their past or fears).

What if we PRAYED something like this EVERYDAY from now till Labour Day:

Lord,
Make me open.
Open to the needs around me.
Open the hunger, thirst, sickness, nakedness, and imprisonment.
Open to my neighbours, friends, co-workers, family, or strangers.
May I respond when I see a need, serve someone as if I was serving you.
May I be your living and local presence this summer.
Amen

One day, standing before Jesus – as King and Judge – he will remind you about Summer 09’ – and you might say, but when Lord, did I feed you, give you a drink, have you over for coffee, help you out when you were poor, visited you when sick, send an email when I didn’t see you connected to the church for a while, come talk to you when no one else did. When? When? When did that happen?

You don’t have to go far to make that happen. Of course, it can happen with a stranger, but it can easily happen with someone in your own home, on your own street, in your address book or email list or church directory or office building.

In fact, it’s already happening (I’ve heard the stories):
…2 girls tried to help women in the strip club industry last week, then spontaneously got to know and prayed for a homeless man downtown.
…a dozen people delivered food to under-resourced families in the West Island last week-end.
…a few people prepared those food bags in advance a few days before.
…one girl is bringing aid and spiritual help to Cuba this week-end.
…one couple just returned from eastern Europe to discern the needs of orphans in that area
…someone made a phone call to a friend they haven’t seen in church for a while.
…a family stopped by a women in a wheel chair with MS and talked to her, and then prayer for her
…another person sat and listened to their neighbour share their recent struggle.
…people will be sharing their faith with co-workers this week

So… one day Jesus will remind us of Summer 09’ as the summer you and I did all those things to the least of those his brothers and sisters, because it was like – as if – just like – you did it – to him. That will be a really cool moment in the future that will reflect today.

How we treat people matters!

Crazy thing. I happened to notice that Scot McKnight, one of my favorite authors, is speaking at church in Atlanta for the next 2 weeks on a topic he's well known for - The Jesus Creed.

Now, I just taught last Sunday on the fact that we'll be judged one day by Jesus by how we treat people.

So... you got to listen to this message, it's so basic, yet really enjoyable and inspiring - and it fits right in with what we talked about at Westside last Sunday.

He says this: Every church, every Christian, every person will be asked this question: how did you treat people?

post thoughts from last Sunday

[some post thoughts from last weeks talk at Westside]

Have you thought about heaven, only as a place you go to when you die? Is it a hope you’re waiting for? It definitely is that… and more. Heaven is also the life we can start living now. Heaven, apart from representing eternal life in God’s fully restored future, also represents the kind of life – the kingdom life – God has intended for us today.

Matthew 25:14-30 was a big challenge for our church community not only to wait for heaven, but live heaven today. No wonder Jesus’ parable emphasizes servants who take the responsibility and gifts their master leave them with the utmost importance. In the same way, Jesus trusts us with responsibility in his kingdom purposes (his story/gospel, his community, his mission; and of course our gifts/skills, families, relationships, time and resources).

When you ask yourself if you’re ready for the future moment when God restores all things and Jesus takes center stage, ask yourself if you’re pursuing that life today.

This quote from Dallas Willard really struck me this week:

So life in the kingdom is not just a matter of not doing what is wrong. The apprentices of Jesus are primarily occupied with the positive good that can be done during their days “under the sun” and the positive strengths and virtues that they develop in themselves as they grow toward “the kingdom prepared for them from the foundations of the world” (Matt. 25:34). What they, and God, get out of their lifetime is chiefly the person they become. And that is why their real life is so important. Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy, pg. 284-285)

The final message in our series this month is a text I’ve been waiting to preach for a long time. Honestly, I was thinking about it in one way as I anticipated it… but this week’s study of it has altered my direction. I’m surprised to read what Jesus lists as a criteria for eternal life in this final word about it to his disciples. You might be surprised to. You can go ahead and read it (Matt. 25:31-46) before Sunday… and maybe you can join me in praying that God would deeply speak to our whole community about what it means for us today.

LIVE READY.

Good Friday recap

Last night I contemplated the death of Jesus with my church community, guests, and friends.

I say contemplate b/c you don't really celebrate that moment.

We intentionally stopped, pressed pause, and made sure we didn't get to Easter Sunday without first making an intentional pit stop on Good Friday.

The theme was GAVE, the greek word - paradidomi - which means handed over, given up, delivered into, betrayed. This word is used in lots of references throughout the passion narratives and later NT texts referring back the cross.

We talked about 3 main ways Jesus was given up:

1. The people gave Jesus up to die: Judas, the priests, Pilot, the crowds
2. God gave Jesus up to die for all of us
3. Jesus gave himself up to die for the church, the world, you and me

GAVE, GAVE, GAVE... all so we could LIVE, LIVE, LIVE.

A few more things I really liked about last night:
- great variety of people, people out who were seeking or friends of ours
- a full crowd
- it was a short gathering, only 60 min., but every element connected
- we sat around tables and not in rows
- we hung out for over an hour after just talking (this is rare for some of us b/c we're always tearing down stuff - we're in a rental situation)
- the kids had a great time reenacting the Last Supper
- an original spoken word piece was performed

Ceasar and Christ?

A question has been lingering for me since the week-end talk I gave at Westside on Matthew 22:15-22.

There's a tension b/w giving to Caesar and God. Somehow if we get too caught up with Caesar (i.e. our own culture, worldviews, philosophies), what do we really have left for God?

If Caesar reflects worldviews and world systems in our day (like political ideologies or philosophies like consumerism and individualism), here's my question:

Is there other ways we can get so caught up with a certain system where become so tied to it (or intertwined with it) it becomes difficult to really serve God?

Are some of us so tied up in consumerism we can't even see how this is an obstacle for us in our service to God and the world?

Are some of us so tied to a political system we think it's unbiblical or immoral to agree with the other side?

Are some of us so caught up with certain lifestyles we justify our actions when the teachings of Jesus challenge our view or actions?

What do you think? Do you have any examples?

good and bad are invited...

In Jesus' story about a King (like God) who invites everyone to the party there's this one part that jumps out:

So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. (Matthew 22:10)

What a great stretch for many people who think the church is supposed to be filled with perfect people.

Here's some insight from Scot McKnight in his recent Living the Jesus Creed:

Jesus comes with the church, and the church comes with Jesus.
Jesus who attracts us is the only one who overtly claims that he invites imperfect people to his table. If we expect the church to house only perfect people, perhaps we've come to the wrong table! Put differently, perhaps our problem is that we love our idea of the church and what it ought to be rather than the reality of the church and what it is.

How do you react to Jesus in Matthew 22:10 and McKnight in this quote?