Make my life a prayer

I read this quote today while reading Red Moon Rising by Pete Greig. (Read this and "The Vision and the Vow" as soon as possible.)


"Whether we think of, or speak to, God, whether we act or suffer for Him, all is prayer, when we have no other object than His love, and the desire of pleasing Him. All that a Christian does, even in eating and sleeping, is prayer, when it is done in simplicity, according to the order of God . . . In souls filled with love, the desire to please God is a continual prayer."

--John Wesley

so whaddaya think?

Pray With Me

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; We have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou those, O God, who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind In Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.

1928 BCP

Get your house emaculate before inviting guests over!!

or not . . .

In some circles within modern Christendom there is a debate that rages between being and doing in relationship to being a follower of Christ.

Weird distinction-- I can't imagine seperating focusing on being married, and engaging in my marriage. I cannot imagine isolating the concept of "being" a friend with someone and engaging in that friendship, hanging out, talking, helping each-other out.

Well anyway, Peter's first act at Pentecost, his first act upon receiving the holy spirit, was to preach the gospel. His first act was to actively, intentionally, throw open wide the gate and invite people into relationship with Jesus. But I suspect that Peter himself had a long way to go in the journey of being a child of God, being a subject of the Kingdom of God. In Galations 2 Paul writes about having to confront Peter about major issues with his ministry in his prefferential treatment of Jewish people in the congregation. Apparently Peter was still a work in progress, yet that did not stop him from working to intentionally spread the gospel. So I guess it's ok to not have your house completely tidy before you invite people in.

Radical Christianity

I would never categorize myself as 'radical' in my Christian Faith. I would not consider radical to be an insult, rather a compliment-- I just don't know if I'm ready to compare my way of working out my faith against everyone else in the Kingdom of God-- and allege that I am far mopre accomplished than them.

Jesus summarized the basic of following him this way: Luke 9: 23 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." This is not radical Christianity, this is normal Christianity. This is normal Christiainty. The word "daily" in this verse clearly communicates that this process is ongoing and progressive. So for one to categorize themself as radical and someone at an earlier stage in the journey is probably not too helpful. I really like Paul's attitude in Phillipians in using the phrase, "not that I have attained all this. . . "

This topic comes up after I hear of a well intentioned parent's concern for their child hanging around a couple of people in our church because they were too radical. Is there a point in our faith where we have enough of Jesus. Do you get to a point in a friendship or marriage where you do not want to become closer in your relationship-- if so, is that a good thing? Do you set "boundaries" in our relationship with Jesus, if so I have to ask, do you REALLY know Jesus. Do you really believe Jesus is Good. Do you really believe Jesus LOVES YOU! What are you afraid he is going to take from you?

I would not call pursuit of a vital and authentic relationship with Jesus. I would not call a desire to be the people of God radical. This is the normal Christian Life.

Weird Reunions . . .

Reunion 1: A month ago I was kinda reviewing my life as I went through some old pictures. I was not the type of guy who had a lot of frineds growing up, especially in elementary and middle school. On friend I had for a few years in middle school was TL. TL was a rarity at Burbank Elementary School for a few reasons. 1) his parents were divorced and he lived with his mom, (rare in the 70's where I lived, and 2) he was friends with me. My friend TL was there in 2nd grade, moved away, and was back I think in fourth grade, where he went by a different first name. We'll anyway, TL moved away and I lost touch. Flash Forward 23 years later and I am wondering whatever happend to TL. While going thorugh old pictures I asked God to help me run into him. 1 week later Adrienne and I are at Little Brothers for a show and we are waiting in line with this newly married couple. We small talked a bit and they invited us to sit with them for a bit. Elissa and Drew where their names. I found out that not only did Drew and I used to work for the same company (UUNET), but Drew also gre up in UA. After proceeding further I found that we were the same age-- Further-- that we went to the same elementary school. I asked him his last name and found out it was TL going by a different first name! I was completely blown away. Anyway, we had a great time together reminiscing. He was pretty blown away about my extensive memories from 23 years ago. His mom lives around the corner from us, and we are all getting together in the near future. Pretty cool answer to prayer.

Reunion 2: While sharing the story with JMC we began remiscing about people we had lost track of from our high school (15 years ago). I think we were looking at a yearbook or something. I came across a guy that was a year ahead of me, and also a low man on the social totem pole such as myself. He was in a couple of study halls with me. The reason I remembered this guy is because he was always really kind to me. Reminiscing with JMC We both wondered if this person ever embraced Christianity. I asked God right there if he would halp me to run into my old friend. Yesterday Andy Taylor and I were having coffee at Cafe Appropos and I thought I caught a glimpse of this guy out of the corner of my eye. I jumped up, ran outside, and called his name. It was him. At first he had no clue who I was-- But we talked for a bit. Turns out he is pretty entrenched in the music scene playing in a few bands. Still a very good natured fellow. We made plans to hang out. This blew me away.

Reunion 3: 12 years ago I worked with Habitat for Humanity over the Summer helping disabled clients find opportunities to do non physical labor to earn "sweat equity" towards their house. One couple I grew very fond off were Ruth and James and their little Boy Sunny. Both Ruth and James suffered from severe health problems, not to mention they lived in a tenement that had a rotted out floor with roaches everywhere and no utilities. We were so exited to see them get a house. When I left back to college I tried staying in touch with them and sent several letters, but never received a reply. When I got back to Columbus I was never able to find them. Every few years I would think of them and pray that God would help me to f ind them again.

Today I had to go to Radio Shack to pay a friends Sprint Bill. I was supposed to meet my friends, but I went to the wrong Radio Shack. While there I saw a man sitting down, it looked just like James. I asked him his name and it was him. He said Sunny was behind me and I turned around and 10 year old Sunny was now 21 and big enough to wrap me into a pretzel. He was pretty excited to see me. He told me that He still remembers us going to COSI and running errands all around town for Habitat. I invited them to Church, and Sunny and I are getting together. Not an quick answer to prayer like the first 2, but amazing nontheless. Pretty cool eh?

Random Sermon Snippet . . .

The Pharisees were so caught up in the externals that they missed the life that the externals flowed from. Do you want to know the organizing principle that was foundational to Jesus’ understanding of God’s Law?

Well he tells us later on in this Gospel. If you jump forward to Matthew 22:34-40 we read this:
34b-40 “. . . the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Here Jesus is quoting From Deut 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18

The Pharisees Could Talk about why murder was bad for hours—But I suspect they would not have much to say about how they were learning to better love their neighbors. They could talk about how many steps you could take on the Sabbath, They could quote all the passages from the Torah, but could they echo David’s sentiment, “As the dear pants for the water, so my Soul longs for You.” I don’t think so. Love had left the building, in fact love was evicted, And the religious leaders of that day found themselves obsessed with rules that no longer made sense without the love.

In 1 Corinthians 13:2 Paul says, “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”

A lot of us could probably do well in theological and doctrinal debates- But do we love well. Have we rubbed shoulders with Jesus enough that we can fulfill the law because by his grace we are becoming more like Him. Where murder is never an option for us not merely because we have enough self-control and a grasp of consequences- but because we value people the way Jesus values people.
Hang out with Jesus and you will gradually and progressively love people like Jesus loves people. This is why prayer, solitude, meditation on scripture are so critical. You spend time with people you love. You become like the people you hang out with. Hang out with Jesus and you will become more like him. You will love like he loves. And the kingdom of God will spread like wildfire.

Drop It Like It's Hot (clean edit)

Ian and Kathleen Drop It Like It's Hot. Please don't call childen's Services.

Andy Whitman is Blogging!

About time!

Check out his new blog Razing the Bar now!

New Reason to Blog!

I just opened up a new blog to serve as a connecting place to brainstorm and suggest social activities outside of community groups and our worship service.

I tried to send an e-mail to all in our church community, but I'm sure I missed a few. I'm hoping that this can be another opportunity to foster connecting and community. We used to have an e-mail list for the Arcadia Home Group, but it got pretty cumbersome, I'm hoping this works out.

If you want a login for this blog, please drop me a comment or send me an e-mail.

Tommorow Kathleen is 5!

We had Kathleen's Graeter's party yesterday and a good time was had by all. Prior to party Adrienne and I had a real good time with Kathleen. So often I get to see Jesus reflected in my daughter. Her kindness and giving spirit are overwhelming at times. When she received money for her birthday, her first response was that she wanted to give it to Asia's Hope. After a number of opportunities to back out she insisted. I guess some of those Bible stories we read at night are beginning to stick! When she is older I hope we get to go over to Cambodia together. (I'll see how it goes for John and his kids first)

In a couple minutes we are heading to Cup-O-Joe for our weekly date. Instead of CandyLand This time I think we are going to bring trouble and sequence.

Thank-You God for my Kids!