Reading the Jesus Story - Doubting Jesus

I'm continuing a weekly reading through Matthew, Mark, Luke,and John, just to notice what happens while steeping in Jesus every day. I don't know what to expect. Like today...

Today's reading: Matthew 27-Mark 11. Near the end of Matthew's gospel, the disciples caught up with Jesus on a mountain in Galilee. This took place after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. They've seen him alive. They know it's him. It's like me knowing a friend has died and was buried. Then on several occasions seeing my friend alive again. That was their collective experience with Jesus.

These guys had also been with him for three years. They heard him teach. Saw him walk on water, give sight to the blind, heal lepers, raise the dead, predict his own death AND resurrection months in advance, etc. They didn't just hear reports about Jesus or read about him. They were there. Eyewitnesses.

But Matthew, one of the guys we're talking about, said this about what happened on the mountain in Galilee:

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted (Matthew 28:16-17).

So I guess doubts don't disqualify someone from being a follower of Jesus. Didn't then. Don't now. Somehow trust and doubt can co-exist when it comes to Jesus. So what keeps someone connected with Jesus even when doubts pop up?

Reading the Jesus Story - Hosanna!

I'm reading through Matthew, Mark, Luke,and John every week for the remainder of 2009.

Today's reading: Matthew 14-26. Chapter 21 records what is known as the Triumphal Entry. Jesus enters Jerusalem and the people are crying out, "Hosanna!" It's an urgent plea. "Please save" or "Save now!"

During this morning's reading I stopped to listen to "Hosanna" by Hillsong. The YouTube version is here. I'm moved more and more by watching people pour out their hearts to God in song. It stirs something in me.

"Lord, save now! Rescue that which was broken--the whole creation, including me. Parts of me are bent and busted in bits.

Hosanna!"

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me

Break my heart from what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdoms cause
As I go from earth into Eternity

"Hosanna!"

Reading the Gospels

So Im reading a fascinating book by Ed Dobson titled The Year of Living Like Jesus. It prompted me to start something today, based on something Dobson quotes from a modern Jewish rabbi:

If you're a Christian and aren't reading through the gospels every week, then you're not a very good Christian. How can you claim to take Jesus'teachings seriously when you spend so little time actually reading them?

So I'm taking the rabbi's challenge. My plan is to read through Matthew, Mark, Luke,and John every week for the remainder of 2009.

Today's reading: Matthew 1-13. It took me just over 1 hour. I read it on biblegateway.com and listened to an audio reading of it on iTunes.

God's Poem

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

Christians are God’s “workmanship.” The Greek word is poiema, from which we get our word “poem.” It means “a work of art, a masterpiece.” In Christ, you receive God’s grace and become his work of art.

Michelangelo’s paintings and sculptures testify to his creative genius. Shakespeare’s plays make us mindful of the work of a master. Mozart’s music proclaims the inspired talent of an incomparable composer.

Paul is saying, “Look around. Consider the Christians you know. Think about the difference God has made in their lives. Each life points to the creative genius of God. He has taken wrecked, broken, distorted, misguided lives and made them works of art.”

We are God’s workmanship. Poems, communicating his grace, mercy, and love. Paintings, designed to capture on the canvas of daily living the very essence of life.

God's poem? That's what he has in mind for you!

Kingdom Concept (1) - "Repent"

One of my favorite books by Rick McKinley's is This Beautiful Mess. Sometime back I benefited from what Rick had to say about an important kingdom concept.

Matthew summarizes an early message of Jesus:

"From that time on, Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.'"

One of the first messages of the Jesus to our world was this: "Repent."

Notice Rick's take on this:

"Repent is a word we're not terribly stoked about in our culture. It might be one notch above STD or 'You're fired.' We picture it on a sign in a New Yorker cartoon. We hear it from some angry, red-faced guy shouting the word at us from across the street. His spit flies out into the oncoming traffic. He's dragging a fifteen-foot cross through the crowd. People can't wait to get past him. It's sad, really, that a wild-eyed street preacher is stealing the beauty of Christ's message...

"To repent means to turn around, to stop what you're doing and do the opposite. To repent means that even though you used to assume one thing was true, you now know it's wrong--all wrong--and you will now believe and act upon something totally different. Repent is a good strong word, full of hope and new beginnings. In the context of Jesus' kingdom, repent is an invitation to another world, another life, a way of being that was supposed to be all along and can be now...

"Repentance means that we choose to agree only with God's perspective. That He alone is God and He alone understands the blatant ways our own hearts deceive us. Evil that we never notice in us and around us--yet it's as obvious to God as genocide is to us.

"To repent is to say to God: 'I'm blind. I don't see, but I want to. Please show me your heart in everything.'"

2008 Art-n-the-Park

Saturday, April 26, was a beautiful day. In fact, it was a perfect day to hook up with people and make new friends on E. Lancaster. Sallye and I left early, picked up one of my Mullendore buddies, Corey, and headed out for Art-n-the-Park.

We arrived in time to help get things ready. Corey jumped right in with the guys inflating the bounce houses. Christians from several churches were setting up grills, generators, a stage for the day's musical performances, a t-shirt stand, and various art stations.

Did I mention our special guests? They started lining up early and included the homeless, both those on the streets and in the shelters, as well as, folks from the projects. Eventually, over 500 people showed up. A kingdom party broke out!

Hungry people got fed. Lonely people made friends. People who had experienced so much of the world's ugliness made beautiful art. There were grafitti artists, face painters, and sidewalk chalk decoraters. People used brushes, watercolors, and paints to express their creativity.

Others made music. Songs they had written. Songs they had heard. Songs from rap to country and just about anything in between.

Music filled the air. People gathered in small groups to listen. Some got up and danced. Kids laughed as they jumped in bounce houses.

Art-n-the Park reminded all of us that something better does exist. And everyone's welcome to be a part.

The park we used is called "Unity Park." It's a good name for it. Because on Saturday, people came together. Differences didn't matter. Not age or color or physical appearances or disabilities. The down-and-outs showed up, along with the well-to-do. Strangers huddled together in prayer, united by something beautiful.

You see, on E. Lancaster, of all places, we caught a glimpse of the kingdom of God.

The Choice: An Ordinary Life Or An Adventure

Dottie Schultz's blog, Missionary's Missionary, is a blessing. It helps me see life through the eyes and heart of somone who has heard and still listens to Jesus' instructions: "Go and make disciples."