Catching up

It's been a long time since my last post - just over three months. During that time I been busy remodeling the front of our home. (new 8' X 24' porch with accompanying changes to the roof, bricking the north and west sides of our home, and (upcoming) stone veneer on the porch.

Anyway, some thoughts I've had over the past three months... I hope to explore these more fully at some point.

1. "Love. Love. Go." - This about sums up the Christian faith. (Although it is far from summing up Christian culture which is probably more about "Look (like us). Talk (like us). Come (to our Sunday morning meeting).
2. missio dei - The mission of God. Are we on one, or just doing our own thing? (Which may or may not include visiting a church building Sunday morning.)
3. 2 Questions:
• How? With missio dei burning in my heart, I am still left with the dilemma of not knowing what to do or HOW the mission gets accomplished. HOW can disciples be made in all nations? HOW can the people of Litchfield be made into disciples? HOW can the people of LSC be made growing, healthy, and reproducing disciples?
  
• How long? Despite my best efforts (and yours), we cannot possibly get the job done. So, we must also turn to God and ask, "How long?" HOW LONG until God steps in and does what only He can do?
4. The kingdom parables of Mark 4 - Wow. Amazing stuff.
5. Sending out of the 70 (or 72 depending on your translation). It is funny that we (Christians and especially pastors) are so reluctant to send out young Christians who have a lot to work out still and are not particularly "strong." Jesus' methods: send the people out AS SHEEP AMONG WOLVES. Perhaps our methods of bringing people in until it's safe to send them back out, until they are armed to the hilt with theology, bible school training, and ministry experience, is misguided.
6. Devotional Classics - This book is amazing. I'll comment on some that have impacted me most in coming months.
7. Almost forgot this one: Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Notice His methods: He had the answers all along, but just listened and asked questions. He was going to move on until the men asked Him to stay. He respected their journey (inward and outward). Once again, more to come on this later.
   

See you soon(er).

jl