God's Priorities

Man, I loved what Mark Buckley had to say last Sunday in his sermon at Living Streams. He said we have to make sure we are keeping God’s priorities above our personal preferences. He mostly applied this to marriage and family, but it also applies so well in the realm of governing society—or as some refer to it, politics. So, if we, as followers of Christ, are to keep God’s priorities first and foremost, what are God’s priorities? 

To me it’s pretty clear what God’s priorities are, because of consistent biblical teachings, consistent sociological findings, and reasonable historical and scientific proofs. God‘s priorities include:

• loving the whole world, not just a certain country or state, 

• caring for the poor (fatherless, orphan, widow), 

• protecting the sanctity of sex (gender, marriage, family, unborn), 

• love (for the household of faith, neighbor, foreigner, enemy), 

• providing healing and counsel to the afflicted (medicine, insurance, and aid), 

• equality (race, gender, socio-economics, education, physical abilities), 

• caring for the environment, 

• authority and submission, 

• fighting against greed, pride and deceit. 

There is no doubt God will judge us on how we go about these things. Though we can find ourselves disagreeing on the source of our problems as well as the solutions, and we can be overwhelmed by the size and nature of the problems, it is important to remember that God is with us.

A Brit who had spent his life as a missionary in India returned home to England in the late 1970’s to find all kinds of societal problems. His name is Leslie Newbigin. As Leslie looked at the size and nature of the problems, he remembered the plan of God for the Church. He wrote these wise words:

“If the gospel is to challenge the public life of our society… it will not be by forming a Christian political party, or by aggressive propaganda campaigns. …It will only be by movements that begin with the local congregation in which the reality of the new creation is present, known and experienced.”

This reminds me of the line from Joshua in the Bible book named after him. As he was commissioning the Israelites to live into the fullness of what God had given them as a nation, he set before them two ways they could go—one of blessing and one of cursing. Then, Joshua basically said, “It doesn’t matter to me what you all will do. It doesn’t matter to me what is popular or will get the most votes. It doesn’t matter how hard or easy it is for me.” He said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 

I pray we will humble our hearts before God, be grateful for all He has given us, and we will choose to serve His priorities with our own lives, our families’ lives, and whatever other institutions we are a part of. 

Peace to you,

David

p.s. A Covid-19 update. After listening to Governor Ducey’s COVID-19 press conference on Wednesday, and debriefing with our direction team, we want to continue to ask our Living Streams church family to take this pandemic seriously, wear masks and social distance, stay home if you feel sick in any way, and self isolate if you have any of the vulnerable health conditions that COVID-19 attacks. I am thankful for the grace of God and the responsible, common sense actions of our church, which have allowed us to have in-person options for almost everything we do. Please keep praying for God’s covering over us and for humility and kindness to be the fragrance of everything we do. Read more about our policy here.

Unity According to Jesus vs. Unity According to the World

The other day I was sitting with two gentlemen. We were about to work on something together and, while we were waiting to get started, we talked. The conversation was very ordinary, and then we veered to the topic of politics. It was election week and we were a little hesitant to “go there.” One of the guys shared which candidate he voted for, then the other guy shared which candidate he voted for. They had not voted for the same person, but the conversation and environment still seemed ordinary and easy. I had not voted for the same person as either of these guys, but since the conversation was still calm I decided to throw out who I voted for. Then, nothing changed. The conversation continued in the ordinary and easy way it had been going. I don’t know how the other guys felt, but I spent the rest of the day in a bit of shock and awe at how we were able to converse and remain easy while discussing a potentially divisive topic. It was very refreshing and it made me want to learn more about unity.

Unity is definitely an important word for Christians to consider, define, pray about, and strive for in our time. “Complete unity” is what Jesus prayed for just before He went to the cross. Inspired by the Spirit of God, the Apostle Paul exhorts us to “pursue,” “strive for,” “make every effort for” unity. The Psalmist of the Old Testament sings about “how good and pleasing it is when God’s people live together in unity.” And we all know that our experience declares the same thing. (For example, to be united with your children is so good compared to the moment of disunity that happens as soon as you ask them where they want to go eat.)

Though unity is very important, I have discovered there are different kinds of unity being called for these days. The world and its leaders are calling for a unity that is very different from the unity that the kingdom of heaven and its King are calling for.

Here are some things we know about this unity that Jesus calls for:

1. Our differences are the starting place for unity.
The Greek word used in Jesus’ unity prayer is, “teleioō” which adds a connotation of being completed as one. The word Paul uses to describe unity in Christ is, “katartizō” and it has a connotation of mending, as if gluing the fractured pieces back together. Thinking differently, looking differently, and feeling differently are not roadblocks to unity—they are ingredients to unity. So, that is good news for Christians in America.

2. It is only possible and only required within the family of Christ.
Jesus’ prayer for unity was clearly for His disciples and those who would follow Jesus after them. Paul’s admonitions toward unity were clearly directed to the church of Jesus Christ. Christians are called to love everyone—but we are not called to be united with everyone. Christians are called to love our enemies, but the call to unify applies to those who are truly brothers or sisters in Christ. Remember: at one point Jesus said, “I have not come to bring peace to the world, but a sword.” Those who receive Christ’s Lordship and the empowerment of His indwelling Spirit can have the peace that He gives; but those who do not will be divided—and Christians should stay divided from them. Paul wrote about the importance of Christians not even eating with someone who claims to be in Christ, but is sexually immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. This is a different kind of unity.

3. Prayer is vital for softening the divided hearts as well as empowering them to unite.
You can’t go wrong here. Jesus prayed for unity among His followers. Paul’s admonitions were also prayers that the churches would unite with each other and strive for unity in decisions and actions. They both knew the only way any of us will be able to mend deep divides and react well in moments of offense is to be filled with God’s Spirit. Prayer is the best way to be filled with God’s Spirit. (So, what are you waiting for? You can pray now before continuing to read.)

4. Unity will not be easy; it will require sacrifice, and it is not a” one and done” type of thing.
Jesus prayed His prayer for unity at a time when He Himself was wrestling to unite His will with His Father’s will. The intensity of that prayer time caused Him to sweat blood. Jesus knows firsthand how intense and stressful it can be to strive for unity. To gain unity with other believers is to gain the will of God, and it will take striving and straining. Paul uses the word strive in His calls for unity because He knows it will not happen without great determination and consistent effort.

The unity Jesus wants us to prioritize as believers is not “unity at all cost.” There is right and wrong, and there is good and evil. We are not to be united with the world, because that would cause us to be at war with God. But we do need to understand and live out “unity at the cross.”

When it comes to our brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to defer to one another in love. We need to listen and consider one another above ourselves. We need to create environments where we can speak freely without fear of harmful reactivity. If we can do this consistently and patiently, we can find the will of God. And once we find God’s will, we will find none of us are as right as we think we are. We will also find it much easier to unite, because the will of God is always good and beautiful, and always results in the flourishing of the good and beautiful.

By His grace and for His glory,

David

Endurance and Perseverance

The music of my childhood was the music of my parents. My dad loved goofy 60’s music like “G.T.O.” by Rohnny and the Daytonas. My mom bounced back and forth between Les Miserable and Country. Though I was not a big fan of the way country music sounded at first, I was amazed at how good country music was at describing disappointment. One song that describes the emotions of a break-up is “The Race Is On” by Sawyer Brown. Here is what it says, 

                Well, the race is on
                And here comes pride up the backstretch
                Heartaches are goin' to the inside
                My tears are holdin' back
                They're tryin' not to fall
                My heart's out of the runnin'
                True love's scratched for another's sake
                The race is on and it looks like heartache
                And the winner loses all

During this COVID-19 quarantine season there has been a race of different emotions taking place. There was fear and uncertainty leading the way. Soon after that, faith and even some excitement made it to the front. After about a month in, frustration and fatigue overcame all excitement and really challenged faith. At this point it seems like weariness and impatience are beating out faith, hope, and love. And it is hard to see some of the ugly things showing up in our country as well as in our own souls. 

What I am praying for these days is patient endurance and joyful perseverance. Wikidiff.com defines endurance as “the measure of a person's stamina or persistence in difficulty”; and perseverance as “continuing in a course of action without regard to discouragement, opposition or previous failure”.

The course of action we are called to is to follow Jesus and help others follow Jesus as well. In the face of COVID-19’s prolonged disruption we need to see Jesus, rely on Jesus, and trust Jesus. He alone can help us stay on track even though our emotions are running wild. He alone has persevered through life without sin. He alone endured the cross and the wrath of God with the joy of the Lord as His strength. 

If you would like a Biblical road map for dealing with disappointment, Hebrews 12 gives us the instructions we need to live with endurance and perseverance  Here is what it says:

Throw off the sin and weight that entangles. Keep running. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Don’t forget to encourage your own heart by reminding it that God is your Father. He will not only give you the strength to endure, but He will also use the challenge to make you pure.

Peace to you and yours, 

David

P.S. I am happy to tell you that, while we are giving ourselves to meeting in our homes for our Sunday mornings through Father’s Day, we are doing some regathering at the church. We have had a men’s breakfast and our 3rd -5th grade group gathered together. It was wonderful, even though we “social distanced” and took temperatures. Next week we have a pre-registered Worship NIght planned for June 5th with the same social distancing and taking of temperatures. It didn’t take long for all the spots to be filled up. Woohoo! Jesus be with us and lead us back to one another. 

Tagged: evangelism, gospel, good news, love, love your neighbor

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Our Calling

Our Calling

Many people are asking what I think the church should do in light of all the Covid-19 questions and re-opening questions. I know the main reason they are asking is because they care about the church. We are a church family and there is a beautiful covenantal bond that takes place when people commit to worship Jesus together and journey life’s challenges alongside each other. I am honored and privileged to have a front row seat to watch all of you apply your faith to this unprecedented time of disruption. I am thrilled to hear about the generosity and courage you have displayed in a season where it's easy to succumb to fear.  
 
Now, after all these weeks there is a sense of weariness setting in. It would be easy for us to become frustrated or apathetic. But as I set my mind to pray about what the church should do right now, the word evangelism continues to come to mind. I really believe this is what our God desires from us right now. The more I study evangelism, the more I become convinced that God always desires us to do the work of evangelism.

So, what is the work of evangelism? Simply put, evangelism is telling others the good news about Jesus. 
 
To the broken heart, the evangelist communicates the good news that, “God is near to the broken hearted”; and “if you wait on the Lord and be of good courage, God will strengthen your heart.”

To the anxious mind, the evangelist communicates the good news that, “God will keep those who trust in Him in perfect peace”; and “God’s peace is not limited to our understanding, it surpasses our understanding.”

To the sinful addict, the evangelist communicates the good news that, “the promise of God is to forgive your sins and give you His Spirit, no matter how far off you feel”; and “whoever comes to Jesus will be received.”

To the soul gripped with depression, the evangelist communicates the good news that, “God loves to turn our sorrow into dancing and our ashes into something beautiful.”
 
I know the word evangelist stirs up lots of different thoughts and emotions. Some think of tele-evangelists and their hair and flare. Some think of street-corner evangelists with their doom and gloom. Some think of the hippie days of the Jesus movement. And others think of the one and only Billy Graham.

Over the years evangelism has been done well and it's been done poorly. There has been great good and there has been harmful offense. But even when evangelism is done very well, there is always some offense. No one likes to hear they are a sinner who has added to the pain and problems in this world. No one likes to be told they need to surrender control of their life. No one enjoys admitting they need to change. Yet, when the good news about Jesus is shared with true compassion and consideration, there is a sweetness that can overcome the offense. 
 
All Christians are called to do the work of an evangelist. Yes, that means you and me also. Jesus reconciled us to Himself so we could help others be reconciled to Him.

From the very beginning Jesus said to His disciples, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” Then, just before Jesus left His disciples for the last time, He asked them to go into all the world and make more followers of Jesus. He wanted them to teach others all they had learned from Him. From that day on every follower of Christ has had the same commission from Jesus. Yes, that means you and me also. 
 
There is one who has walked the tight rope of evangelistic offense and sweetness for many years. His name is Ravi Zacharias. I so appreciated his voice in my life. I learned so much about the veracity of Jesus’ life and message, the historicity of the Bible, and the immensely solid, intellectual ground the Christian faith enjoys. Though his passing on March 19 brings a moment of pause and sadness, his life and message inspires me to run with the good news with greater urgency and understanding. 
 
David

My Friends...

The human capacity for emotions is so fascinating. Emotions are potent, substantive things. Fear, hate, love, joy are powerful. But what is so fascinating to me is how we can feel strong, opposing emotions at the same time.

On the one hand I am feeling overjoyed at the moves our city is taking to reopen society.

On the other hand I am grieved because I woke up yesterday to a text from a friend. He said he received an email from me about needing gift cards for a woman in need. I did not send the email. It was a scam. The email he received was convincing, with my photo and a pastoral-type appeal for gift cards.  

On the one hand my family has had some wonderful, slow-paced, heart-warming, country-song-type times together.

Then on the other hand, we have driven each other crazy at times. 

Then, out there in the big world we have seen things like Some Good News with John Krasinski showing how praiseworthy the human spirit can be.

Then, on the other hand we grieved with Ahmaud Arbery’s family as they were unable to celebrate his 26th birthday because he was killed in a most troubling way. While digesting that grievous story I wrote this:

Once again the wound is opened 
One again blood spills out
Once again fear and sorrow show up
Once again we drink the bitter cup 

Should we scream and shout
Should we weep out loud
Should we try and reach out

A little over two miles
Such a winning smile 
I hope he knew He was God’s child
I hope we learn everyone is God’s child 

While my emotions come and go, and sometimes overwhelm me, I am so thankful for the robust words of the Bible that can cut through all the confusion to guide us through life’s tempests. Just like life, the Bible is filled with both lament and rejoicing, heroic joy, and shattering heartache. 

Here are a couple of verses worth chewing on, if you find yourself getting weary or losing your bearings.  

Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him. Let him bury his face in the dust—there may yet be hope. Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, and let him be filled with disgrace. For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone. –Lamentations 3:31-33

Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God’s family… Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. –1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

God be with you and give you peace in your perseverance. 

David

The Greatest is Love

Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas is here in Phoenix. The traffic has picked up around all the shops and the weather has dipped, leaving morning frost on the rooftops and windshields. By midday we enjoy sunny and 75º, and all the winter lawns are looking nice and green.

At my house, my wife is in full gift mode–which she is in most of the year–but now she does it with a joyous fervor. Our house has three Christmas trees up, paper snowflakes everywhere, and we are not allowed to go near certain rooms because one of our presents could be there. There also is a constant stream of holiday baking shows and Hallmark movies on our television. 

But with all this hustle, bustle and fun, we are having some good times with our kids, setting everything aside and learning about the Joy, Peace, Hope, and Love that Jesus brought with His advent. The Advent video series at thebibleproject.com has been very helpful. We had a great night the other night sitting in our tv room for a couple of hours without turning the tv on. We talked and played and quizzed. (For some reason my kids love it when I quiz them on geography. Weird kids.)

The last three Sundays at our church, we have focused on Joy, Peace, and Hope.

• We have seen how the Bible teaches that God is overflowing with Joy. “In His presence there is fullness (overflowing) joy.”

• We have read about Jesus being the Prince of Peace. “The greatness of His peace has no end, (overflowing).”

• And we have looked at some Biblical words to teach us what hope really is and how God is the God of Hope. “I pray that God, the source of hope, (overflowing) will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” 

Now, there is one that remains. It is the greatest of them all, and every other virtue finds its roots in Love. Just as with the other three, God is overflowing with love.

The best word we have in our shallow human language to describe the community of the trinity is love. “The fruit of the (trinitarian) Spirit is love.” The fierce and overflowing love that God has for the world is what caused Him to sacrificially give the one He loved most, so that we could know and enjoy His love in a personal and everlasting way. 

Today, and each day between now and Christmas, I would like for you to do three things:

1. Sit still for twenty minutes, away from the distraction of your phone, and ask God to tell you how He feels about you. Expect Him to speak in a still, small voice. Expect your wounded heart to have trouble receiving and believing what He says. Then, write it down, or tell someone about it to seal it in your heart and mind. 

2. Look though your contact list on your phone and find someone that you know needs to hear about the love of Jesus and invite them to church this Sunday.

3. Pray for me, that despite my shallow mind and feeble words, I will be able to communicate the wondrous love of God in a way that is easy to understand and impossible to run from. 

Jesus loves you!

David

Ask Someone

Thanks for reading this. I hope you are well. I also hope that you will stop reading this for one minute and text or call someone and invite them to church on Sunday. 
 
Did you do it? If you did, keep reading. If you didn’t, keep reading—and maybe I can convince you.
 
This Sunday we will kick off our Christmas season with a teaching on Joy. Everyone could use a little more of that. The next three Sundays we will be teaching on Peace, Hope, and Love. And everyone could use a little more of those, as well. 
 
I imagine there are some people in your contacts list that are currently living without the light and warmth that a relationship with Jesus brings. You may even be spending Thanksgiving with them. Remember, the Christmas season is a time when people are willing to give church another shot. Actually, studies show that around 80% of people who don’t go to church said they would go if invited. Those are some pretty good odds. 
 
I know it can be a little scary to ask someone. I know it can complicate your own Sunday morning experience. I also know that church is not the only way someone can come to know Jesus. But I believe it can help. I believe Jesus desires us to leave the ninety-nine and go after the one. I believe, “… there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” 
 
So, now will you stop reading, and text or call someone?  Let’s see if we can give heaven a reason to party. 
 
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours,
 
David 
 
p.s. If you do ask someone, send me a quick email about how it goes. I am interested to hear. 

It's Better to Try and Fail

First, a few words from Kanye:

I woke up this morning, I said my prayers
I'm all good, then I tried to talk to my dad 
Give him some advice, he starts spazzin' on me
I start spazzin' back, he said "That ain't Christ-like"
I said, "Aaaaagghh"

The struggle is real. It’s very rare for someone to actually notice and tell you that you are being Christlike. But when you’re trying to be Christlike, it’s very common for people to tell you you’re not being Christlike. Somehow our society sees it as better to not even try to be Christlike at all, than to try to be Christlike and not get it right all the time. When this happens I want to scream with Kanye: “Aaaagghh!”

• True Christlikeness is the actual goal of Christianity.

• True Christlikeness is and always will be the remedy for our ailing world. 

• True Christlikeness was God’s goal in creating humanity in the first place.

So, what is true Christlikeness?

One of my friends says being like Christ is being a “non-anxious presence in the world.” It would be great if Christians became that in their homes, workplaces and all the in-between activities.  

Another way I have heard Jesus described is, “love in the flesh.” It would be wonderful if Christians became that in their relationships, and in the pockets of society where pain, fear and injustice seem to reign. 

As for us at Living Streams, we are currently spending time unpacking the way “familymatters.net” describes the heart of Jesus. True greatness, or true Christlikeness, is having a humble heart, a servant heart, a grateful heart, and a generous heart.  

So, how can my soul be formed to be more Christlike? 

In John 15 Jesus made it very simple for us. He said, “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you will bear much fruit.” So, basically, if you want to be more like Christ, then you spend time with Christ. As you spend time with Christ, you will find yourself being formed and shaped by the words of Christ. The next thing you know, you will be living and loving more like Christ. In the process of time, you will most assuredly fail, or fall short. However, it is truly better for you—and for our world—that you try and fail, rather than to not try at all. 

• If you want to become a more non-anxious presence, then spend time with the Prince of Peace.

• If you want to become more loving in your relationships, then spend time with Jesus, who is love.

• If you want to be more humble, helpful, grateful, and generous, spend time with the Servant of All, who gave it all for you and me.

David

Birthday Foot Washing

Last Sunday was my birthday. I completed my 42nd trip around the sun and began my 43rd. Woohoo. After 42 years my overall feeling is one of contentment and peace; but at the same time I can never shake an undercurrent of heaviness and sobriety about what the future holds. 
 
My birthday started when I woke up hearing my family sneaking around, trying to surprise me with some birthday breakfast. They might have gotten away with it, but the delicious bacon smell made their sneaking ineffective.
 
I got ready for church and came out of my room. When they saw me they all yelled at me and made me go back in my room for five more minutes. I smiled and did a little more getting ready. 
 
They made me a nice breakfast and each one gave me a homemade card. One of the cards read, “We love you, even when we are mad at you.” 
 
The next two items on the birthday agenda were preaching and basketball. I love preaching God’s word, but sometimes the frequency and pressure causes me to forget how much I love it. I also really love basketball. Basketball has been a good friend to me. Basketball provides me with exercise for my body, and a break for my mind, especially on the days I preach.
 
After basketball, my family went to Bucca Di Beppo for a birthday dinner and then headed back home. 
 
All day long I was thinking about the message I preached in the morning. What Jesus did with His disciples the night before He went to the cross was stirring in my soul. When Jesus passed out the bread and wine He was teaching His disciples two lessons at once. He was definitely letting them know that He was going to be crucified, but I really believe He was asking them to give their “body and blood” for the sake of others as well.

One of the reasons I know Jesus was teaching the second lesson is because, in three of the New Testament Gospel accounts—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—the focus is on the body and blood aspect of Jesus' last meal with His disciples. However, in the fourth Gospel account, John tells a different part of the story. John tells us that at the “Last Supper” Jesus began by washing all the disciples' feet. After washing their feet, Jesus tells His disciples that they should go and do the same for others. 
 
Compelled by all of this, I finished the day by washing my family's feet. I told them a little bit about John 13, and got a bucket of warm water and a wash cloth. They giggled a bit, and smiled a lot, but I think they really got the message that I would give body and blood for them. Then, when I finished, Brit said they all wanted to wash my feet. It felt like a moment of truly loving one another. It was a great gift. 

I am still chewing on the message of Jesus. A message powerfully supported by the example of His life and death. Jesus wants us to give our body and blood on behalf of others, just like He gave His body and blood for us. 
 
God bless you and yours as you love one another deeply,
 
David