My birthday

I am 39 today... I am a blessed man... I had a party last night... met with my guys group this morning at 7:30 - good stuff - I went for a drive with my family in the afternoon, then Mecca and I went to see Sherlock - loved it!! Good day.

today

bible reading today Luke 3 and 4
I was stuck by John's ministry and message and the response... sometimes we skim over these passages rushing to get to Jesus...
John said, "produce fruit in keeping with repentance..."
People responded, "what does that look like in real life"
Three responses to three "kinds" of people.
#1 let go of your stuff
#2 don't cheat the system for financial gain
#3 be content with your pay, don't miss use your position
SUMMARY: keep a low priority on possessions, the HOLY SPIRIT is coming!!
This was the good news of John the Baptist and the Good News of Jesus' ministry.

King's Cross by Keller

I finished King's Cross by Keller and few days ago.
Wow. Such a great book.
If you are drifting or trying to find some life "traction" I highly recommend this book.
May we all find the deepest meaning of our story in the life, teachings, murder, and resurrection of Jesus!

books... I am reading and processing...

Where has the fall gone? Wow, Dec 8th today.
I have been read/listening to a number of books this fall.

The King Jesus Gospel by Scot McKnight was so good for me. I have been through it a few times now... I am giving it to anyone that I love AND that I think with read it... difficult combo to find :-)  The book brought so many things together for me... I have been troubled by HOW we in the church share Jesus and then HOW we often do not do the work of discipleship... the church is so weak in this area... well if you want to read a solid book that will make you think AND stand up and shout AMEN, read it... it just might bring some fresh wind to your fire.

Deep Church by Jim Beltcher so a re-read. I read it a year ago but returned to it b/c I wanted to process through again how he described a "deep" way forward. I am again so inspired by his vision. Then I learned that he is no longer pastoring in the local church... he is now a WRITER... so so sad. I guess once you write a great book you do not HAVE to work with congregations anymore... you can JUST write about them... I sure would like to know what is next for him... the church needs him.

The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission by John Dickson - I am currently going through a second time - SO SOLID. He knows ancient history and Scripture really well and he brings amazing life and academic experience to his books. The book gives a fresh biblical explanation and call to everything to do with "reaching the world with the Good News" - excellent book.

The King's Cross by Timothy Keller - Half way through this one... I love it, Keller is a gift to the Kingdom - brilliant!

spoken word poem on sexuality in our culture

I just finished a couple books...

I listen to most books I read. It really works for me, I realize many people don't like them...

I just finished two Philip Yancey books... he is still one of my favorite writers of all time... I went "back in time" to a classic of his that I have been wanting to read for a long long time.
Disappointment with God - I loved it, if you have disappointment with God or know people that do - it is a must

I also read/listened to a short little book of his on the local church called:
Church: Why Bother? - again very good, real, honest, so Yancey

Where am I reading in Scripture these days??? I have been a little all over the place.
I have been reading the historical books David thru Nehamiah in the Old Testament for a while now
Always bouncing around in the Gospels.
My guys group is discussing 1 Timothy.
For a recent message I was studying the church in the book of Ephesians particularly - that was eye opening!

Gotta go...

Luke 10:25-37 The Neighbor

I am teaching a Bible study right now through the parables in the Book of Luke.

Today was the parable of "The Good Samaritan"

In studying for it, I was once again amazed that how this familiar passage is so deep and so simple and so relevant.

#1 The issue is not about understanding, it is about applying - the expert knew the right answer, but was questioning the application - there Jesus re-directed him to focus on himself BEING a neighbor rather then on WHO is his neighbor.

#2 The priest - this character is deep b/c he represents a controversy in 1st century Judaism AND in Jesus' "way." According to the Law (Lev 21:1-3, Num 5:2; 19:2-13, etc) the priest was to stay ceremonily clean, but the 1st century Mishnah (Nazir 6:5; 7:1) taught that the priest was to sacrifice his "clean-ness" and care for the person out of respect for his family and his humanity. So was the priest "JUSTIFIED" in crossing to the other side? Sounds like this was a point of tension?? Sounds like Jesus is exposing this and then making His big point off of it.

#3 The Samaritan - in Luke 9:52-56, the Samaritans REJECT Jesus and tell Him not to come to their area. The Disciples want to throw down fire on them... Jesus rebukes the Disciples... Jesus uses the Samaritan as the person to model after in Luke 10... WHY?! Jesus is saying don't stereotype: people, ethnicities, geographies, classes of people - Jesus is teaching that ALL people are capable of becoming agents of redemption and beauty. 

THE POINT - "be" a neighbor = a person who "sees," who has compassion/pity, who takes action (ridiculously generous action) - I know the truth - I need to apply it - live it - be it - do it - in Jesus' name for His glory.

Personal - I need to trust the Holy Spirit more... I need to be at peace with the world and my circumstances... I need to allow the Spirit to move through me and make me a neighbor of beauty and compassion. Homeless people, people that walk into my office, my kids, my wife, my boss, my friends... I want to be ready, be trusting, be at peace... be beautiful for Jesus' glory and my satisfaction.