Blog Archive

Grace vs. Moralism

Posted by Todd Dickman On Aug - 24 - 2009

Except that's not the right title for this. It's not this one or that one. It's grace or nothing; grace or death. What I mean is, I was thinking about a great video I saw recently which talked about how important young men are for churches, and how feckless and wandering most young men are--and it's true for me too. All too often I am self-absorbed and just interested in my own tiny circle of interests (even religious ones), easily self-pitying, passive, not going and tackling and making war on the challenges of the day. And the interviewer was rightly condemning this very pervasive tendency in American young men, and I was right there with him as I listened, condemning myself and all the other young male cowards with him. But then I thought, What if I were a pastor and I had a 20-something male who was into video games and porn and not much else, and I started to pound him and tell him to get his act together, and become a noble and valorous warrior?...

INTRO: Where Is Our God?

Posted by Erin Jenner On October - 14 - 2009

With the coming and going of Columbus Day, I've been really meditating on the way we celebrate people in our country. You see, I home school, so I'm constantly thinking about what I'm teaching and how I'm teaching it. I research online and ask friends for their opinions on certain subjects. I search Scripture for truth. As I was doing some research on Christopher Columbus I came across several articles and blogs that really started me thinking about one particular topic─why do we honor certain people? I want to be very clear about something here (and I'm sure I'll come under fire for some of this): As a military family, we are committed to supporting our country. I'm not trying to be unpatriotic here. I'm just seeking answers and truth. Let me back up slightly....

To Love, or Not To Love

Posted by Dave Fernandez On April - 15 - 2009

So for the past month and some change, I've been playing catch-up with Lost the TV show. Sandra and I were watching it before I left and then she stuck with it. I'm just now in the middle of season 3 wheras she is all caught up and current. Shameless plug, but for you nonners out there, I highly recommend watching it! Anyway...

Message To Kids: How To Find the Perfect Church

Posted by Jason Slajchert On SEPT 11 2009

That's right. If you're not a kid, then please do not read this. As an adult, you probably already have a degree or two in church-shopping, and likely will not be turned. However, dear children, you have yet to be ruined by us religious church-people. Allow me to help you, before it's too late... So, how do you find the perfect church? Are you sure that you are ready for this answer? I'm going to be brutally honest... no punches pulled. Are you cool with that? Alright then. The truth is that there is no such thing. Plain and simple. They're ALL screwed up in some way. Now, that said, so are you. And you know it. Otherwise, you wouldn't care about finding a church. So, what's the problem then? After all, Jesus loves His Church, and so should we, right? The problem lies within the framework of our cultural viewpoint on everything...

Jonathan is a...

Posted by Jonathan Bierer On March - 11 - 2009

Liar, a thief, an adulterer, a murderer, an idolater, a moralist, etc. The list goes on. A year ago I would never have said that. I had a great revelation this morning on the way to PT. In the movies when a person goes to an AA meeting they always introduce themselves by standing up and saying, "Hi. I'm Jonathan. I'm an alcoholic. It's been 13 years since my last drink." I would always shout back at the TV, "THEN YOU'RE NOT AN ALCOHOLIC!" I didn't get it until today. Once a person thinks he has it beat, he falls again, because he just tripped over his pride. I tried so hard to be perfect growing up. It was demanded of me. I was told that I wouldn't be successful in life unless I was PERFECT. I honestly believed that...

Gospel Incarnation, Milking Costly Grace, and Porn

Posted by Jason Slajchert On MAY - 28 - 2009

In Christian circles, you have those who "err on the side of grace", and those who "err on the side of 'works'". In the former, saved sinners take advantage of the forgiveness that has been lavished upon them. In the latter, sinners fail to understand that they have been saved by sheer grace, unable to offer up anything to God that can help Him with saving a lost soul. The funny thing is that both sides probably think that they're right. Still, both sides, I would argue, probably love Jesus. Both certainly are equally "saved", if you will. That said, what do you think it would look like if we "got it". Like, what if we landed square in the middle? When we sin (which we certainly will do from time to time), would we "get right back up", like falling off a bicycle? Furthermore, what does it look like when the 2 extremes commit a sin?

GUEST BLOGGER: Jenna's Porn Story, Part I

Posted by Jenna Slajchert On March - 19 - 2009

“In Tennessee, growing up, my friends and i all had experimented with the idea of sexuality at some point in our lives. It was one of the central thoughts running through our minds. I had some friends from school, we used to write sex stories in our bedrooms, and read them to each other for fun. The idea of sex started early. “And, of course, you know our Barbies had to have sex with Ken. We were completely obsessed with the idea of sex...” “We would go into our bedrooms, and hump pillows, one of us under the bed with the other on top of the bed... This was age(s) 09-11. If anyone knocked asking what we were doing, we would say we were playing “hide and seek”. This was the beginning of a cycle of deception and shame that continued into my adult life. “Hiding our dirty secret was actually “fun”... not really shameful at this point in my life. When I was alone, I began doing my own searching online. Hiding things started to become a lot easier.

Contributors

ROMANS 1:18-32

by: Jason On 10.2.10 0 COMMENTS
What do you think that Paul meant as he wrote this?
What does it mean for us today?

"18 For k the wrath of God l is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be m known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, n have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they o became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 p Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and q exchanged the glory of r the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore s God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to t the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for u a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, v who is blessed forever! Amen.

26 For this reason w God gave them up to x dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, y men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, z God gave them up to a a debased mind to dob what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know c God's decree that those who practice such things d deserve to die, they not only do them but e give approval to those who practice them."




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Christ-followers Are Revolutionaries

by: Jason On 9.2.10 0 COMMENTS

Fellow Christ-follower(s): We are revolutionaries in a war. The revolution is not something that you can just join if/when you feel like it; it is a way of life that is found in following Christ. And, as George Barna puts it, "the war is won by revolutionaries living in live concert for their culture w/ the ideals that jesus prescribed". And, much like the first century Christ-followers, the empire we reside under would love to snuff us out. Remember, Jesus was a revolutionary.

Maybe you do not have an appreciation for all of the war-lingo that is sometimes used in Christendom. Trust me, I get that. You will be comforted, then, to know that this is not a war won by brute force. Rather, it is won by the "daily demonstration of courageous faith - the faith to be God's person wherever He puts you, doing whatever He calls you to do" [Barna]. Are we willing to live this way?

We do not have to wait to sign up. Right now - TODAY - we can live the Gospel. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started:

- Get angry at the things that Jesus got angry at (i.e. religion without relationship; injustice; hypocrisy).

- Love those who aren't in Christ, and never think or say "I would never..."

- Love your fellow Christ-followers by calling them out, & correct them in the authority of Jesus (1 Cor 5:11-13)

- Practice being a servant to everyone
- Matthew 23:12
- Matthew 20:26-27
- Isaiah 53:3
- Phil 2:5-10

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Today, God Was A Saints Fan

by: Matty B On 7.2.10 0 COMMENTS
Well, that's what I believe anyway. Today, the New Orleans Saints made franchise history. Not just that, but also the people of the city of New Orleans have come out of great travail; not with tears of sorrow but with tears of joy. They have been through a struggle of Biblical proportions in which some would have said, "The wrath of God is on them." In 2005, Hurricane Katrina started a sequence of events that would bring about great suffering in the city of New Orleans. People watching from afar thought, "That city is cursed." I was one of them. But out of the chaos and anguish came a brief moment of joy; a sigh of relief at the grace of God. If anything, the victory of the New Orleans Saints over the Indianapolis Colts at the Super Bowl is a sign of things to come....of yet greater joy and comfort.

Well, not only did the city of New Orleans make football history, but me and my dad made family history: We said our first prayer together. I asked him if I could pray for the Saints with him before the game started and he said yes. And so I prayed first for God's glory, then for the family's joy. During half time, the saints were down by three points. I called my dad, and he asked me for assurance that the Saints would still win. I told him, "You know it. Don't worry about a thing." When the game was finished, I called him and we celebrated together over the phone. He said, "Son, you don't know how long I've waited for this moment." I replied, "I wish I could be there with you right now." At that he said, "I wish all of the family could be together for this."

As I drove Brittany home, that sweet woman of God who encouraged me the whole way, I realized what Jesus meant when He said, "I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." (John 17:26) At the cross, Jesus knew that the kingdom of God was winning the Spiritual Super Bowl and He wanted all of the household of God to share in that same love, joy, and glory. This was not a moment to mourn, but to celebrate. This was the moment that the Father had waited for so long to see; the glory of His Son and the joy of the saints.

Before you lay down tonight, think about that moment at Calvary. If the New Orleans Saints victory helps put that in perspective, then all the better. Think of the out-of-this-world joy that the Son had for the Father, that the biggest event in history was about to take place and God was getting all the glory. With ever whip, every laceration, every thorn's penetration, the glory of God was getting greater and greater. And when Jesus rose from the tomb, alive and glorious, the joy of the saints was beyond all imagination. They ran through the streets proclaiming the risen Savior and the victory of God's kingdom. That day, Christianity began as good news....worthy of celebration.

Feeling festive yet? Celebrate my friends, for at Calvary the greatest event in human history had taken place and the celebration will continue on forever as the day that sin was defeated and God was glorified. Share in His joy. Tell your family that the destruction and chaos in their lives will not last forever. Tell your friends that the wrath of God has not come upon them, but an opportunity for greater joy and ultimate glory. All it takes is faith, hope, and endurance.

If the Colts won......it would have been expected. Everyone would have said, "Good game." They would have brought home another Super Bowl victory. They were the seemingly superior team. But the fact that the city of New Orleans had went through the traumatic experience of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and have come out of the waters victorious sings out anthems of the glory of faith, hope and endurance. Praise God all of WHO DAT nation. Praise God. Amen.

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A Prayer

by: Jason On 7.2.10 0 COMMENTS
Dear God,

My prayer right now is for my brothers in accountability. I know that you can hear my prayers, and that you even know what I was going to say before I click on "PUBLISH POST". God, help my brothers as they are seeking to live lives of purity in your sight. Help them to avoid the sin of lust, pornography, and the self-centered gratification that usually accompanies it. Help us to effectively carry each other's burdens [Gal 6:2], and to remain faithful to the frequent confession of sins [James 5:16].

I thank you, God, that you have promised to complete what you began in each of us at Regeneration; help us to "trust the System", beleiving in one another (which is really just believing that You will finish what You've started in us). God, you are good. We embrace all that You are, and all that you want for us.

IN CHRIST'S NAME, AMEN.
1 Cor 6:12-20

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Which Jesus Do You Subscribe To?
Part II

by: Jason On 6.2.10 0 COMMENTS
"My kingdom is not of this world" - JESUS, John 18:36

In Part I, we discussed Jesus' humanity, and the tension that exists between it and His divine nature. Now, let's talk about the latter - Jesus' divinity.

Again, that Jesus is both 100% GOD & 100% MAN is not up for debate, as this is the traditional position of orthodox Christianity - Catholics, Protestants, Reformed, Wesleyan, Calvinists, Arminians, Greek Orthodox, Charismaniacs, Pentecostals, Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, and even non-denominationals agree on this, because it is the foundation of Christian belief.

First of all, how does one become both God and man? Well, that's not exactly the best way to ask it. Better formed, you could ask "How did God take onto Himself a human nature?" Believe it or not, the answer is actually quite simple: His mother was a human, and His Father is God (AKA Himself). Yes, you are tracking correctly: Jesus fathered Himself.

Philipians 2:5-10
"6 p who, though he was in q the form of God, did not count equality with God r a thing to be grasped,7 but s made himself nothing, taking the form of a t servant, [2] u being born in the likeness of men.8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by v becoming obedient to the point of death,w even death on a cross. 9 x Therefore y God has z highly exalted him and bestowed on him a the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus b every knee should bow, c in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and d every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is e Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

That's pretty solid, but where else does it say that Jesus is divine?
In Malachi 2:17, it says that people were wearily asking "Where is the God of justice?" Then, God answers their cry in the next verse, Malachi 3:1: "Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts."

Of course, the "messenger" was, in fact, John the baptist, and the "Lord" who enacts justice is Jesus - the God of justice.

In John 1:1-4, John says that Jesus is God. Later, John accounts for numurous accounts where Jesus claimed equal status with God. Likewise, it is recorded that this is the very reason the Jews wanted to kill him - for the sin of blasphemy, "a mere man claiming be God" by forgiving sins, breaking the Sabbath, and calling Himself "I AM", the most sacred name of God from their scriptures.

So, why did Jesus' mom have to be a virgin?
- Jesus had to be sinless. This not only involved not committing any sin while on the earth, but it also involved not being born under the curse of our father, Adam - the first human. One historic view of this is that since the curse of sin is carried through the male seed, the Christ would require a sinless father. Likewise, in order to identify with us in our sufferings / become the Great High Priest and take away our Sin, He would need to be born of a woman. Therefore, Jesus is both fully God, and fully man, yet without a sinful nature like us. He's the perfect solution to our Predicament.

What makes Jesus better than other saviors?
Every other religion offers you the same plan for salvation: you can save yourself.
- Hindu - save yourself by detaching yourself from your seperated ego, and living a life that's unified w/ the divine
- Buddhist - save yourself through ceasing your desires
- Confucian - save yourself through education, reflection, and moral living
- Muslim - save yourself by living a life of good deeds
- Orthodox Jews - Save yourself through morality - repentance, prayer, and strict adherence to the laws of God
- New Age - Save yourself by realizing that all is God, and all is sacred, and all is one, by coming into harmony w/ and participate w/ all that is divine, and through this you will be saved
- Dowism - save yourself by aligning w/ the dow, and the result is that you will have peace inside/around you - thereby ensuring your own salvation

All religions exist to point out things that you should / should not do to save yourself. Again, all religions teach that YOU are your own savior. The difference between Christianity and every other religion is that Jesus taught that Salvation is a free gift that cannot be earned, but should be RESPONDED to. Religion will always be disappointing because it can only result in either of two problems: 1.) Devastation - because you failed; or 2.) Inflation - because you think you succeeded. Jesus offers salvation as a free gift. The prerequisite, then, is only that you know you are a sinner without any other hope, but Him. His love, like marital intimacy, is absolutely exclusive. That is why He said in John 14:1 "I am THE Way, THE Truth, and THE Life; the ONLY way to the Father is through Me". Outrageous, right?

Paul seemed to hold Christ's divinity higher than any other tenant. Just look at Col 1:15-20.
15 i He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning,the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

The ESV Study Bible puts it this way:
"Jesus did not come into existence when he was born of the virgin Mary. He was the agent of creation through whom God made heaven and earth (John 1:3 and note; 1 Cor. 8:6). Jesus cannot be the first thing created (as the ancient Arian heresy claimed) since “all things” without exception were created by him. thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. Paul is using the current Jewish terms for various rankings of angels (although he doesn't explain their relative ranks). His emphasis here may be on the evil angels, since they play a significant part in this letter (Col. 2:8, 10, 15, 20). This would not mean, however, that Jesus created evil angels; all spiritual powers were created by Jesus, but some later chose to rebel against God and so to become evil. Jesus is not only the agent of creation but is also the goal of creation, for everything was created by him and for him, that is, for his honor and praise. Since Jesus is in this sense the goal of creation, he must be fully God (see notes on John 1:1; 8:58)."

In conclusion, what does Christ's divinity mean for us today? In a pluralist society where there are "many ways" to get to God / find peace, and where even "christians" are confused about what the bible says about Jesus being the "only way to the Father", it's important to commit these scriptures to memory - at least know where to find them. Second, we must be convinced of this ourself. In the end, Paul says, "many will be deceived". Likewise, he echos what Jesus said saying that there will be "many false Messiahs" - many false "ways" of salvation. Paul, at one point says, "if possible... even the elect..." will be deceived/lost. He never says where or not is is actually "possible", but I don't want to find out!

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Which Jesus Do You Subscribe To?
Part I

by: Jason On 5.2.10 1 COMMENTS
"We're bigger than Jesus now" - John Lennon
Even though I have been a follower of Jesus for about 12 years now, I still stand in awe of His majesty. What a guy, and what a God! Theologians use the term hyperstatic union to describe the way that He is both God and man, equally and eternally. Baffling as it may be, this is orthodox - meaning that all Christians agree upon this one. Christians will always dispute the smaller matters such as God's sovereignty or end-times prophecy, but this one was settled a long time ago.

Although all Christians agree that Jesus is fully God and fully man - not 50%/50%, but 100%/100% - most seem to accent one a bit louder than the other in word, and/or action. Is this important? Should one be spoken of more than the other? If Jesus ceases to be the God of Christianity, this makes Jesus out to be a liar, and changes everything. However, how significant is His humanity?


What did Jesus do while on the earth?
- He fulfilled prophecy [Isa 53:5-12]
- Went to parties [Matt 9:10; Mark 2:15]
- Ignored His mother [Matt 12:47]
- Spit in blind man's eye [Mark 8:22]
- Hung out w/ sinners [Matt 9:9-11; Luke 13:1; Luke 5:1]
- Said "I will destroy the temple" [Mark 14:58]
- Cracked jokes [Called Peter a "rock" in Jon 1:40; "camel/eye of needle" was like saying "A rich person has better luck trying to fit his Corvette into his pocket. It was a Hebrew funny.]
- Went camping w/ 12 guys for 3 yrs
- Became angry at injustice / kicked over tables / chased people while cracking a whip [Matt 21:12; Isa 61:8]
- Called religious scholars a 'bag of snakes' [Matt 12:34]
- Broke the law [Ate grain on the Sabbath, and said "Uh... David did it first" Matt 12:1-8]
- Loved Judas, even though He knew that He would betray Him
- He was tempted like we are:
- to LIE: "Are you the Messiah?" they asked w/ sones in hand, ready to kill Him.
- to STEAL: Jesus had financial struggles. No home, camped out everywhere. Could not pay His taxes: "Go fishing, look in the fish's mouth, and you will find a coin"
- to LUST: 30 year old single man, felt lonely, women flocked to Him
- Humbled Himself [washed His friends feet; dumbed down His teachings for His disciples]
- Lived like a slave, and died like a criminal, yet all without ever committing a single sin [Phil 2:5-10]

In Part II, I will talk about Jesus' divine nature, and what that means for us today.

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Untainted

by: Jason On 3.2.10 0 COMMENTS
The following was written 27 September 2006 while I was on a business trip to Las Vegas for 7 days. I was sent completely alone, and had never been there before. I'm sharing this with the hope of helping other men [or women] while they are away from their families.

"My first TDY. Four days in Vegas, four more to go. The hardest thing I've ever had to do. I didn't realize how strong of a battle I was going to face coming here. I'm surrounded by evil. This city is saturated in sin, lust, perverse spirit, homosexuality, greed... Everyone looks like they're having fun, but I know that they're not truly happy. At night, there are people offering you cards. Cards with a name, a picture of a naked girl, & her phone #. I'm absolutely disgusted with this city. I never wanna come back. God has used me while here, however. I got to tell people of the amazing Gospel, & I was able to pray w/ a guy involved in a homosexual lifestyle. His name is Roy. Then I met Ron @ the mall. I think he was gay too. I just tried to love these people, and we shared some good times together. Tonight, though, I could feel the "darkside" trying to bring me down. It was so hard. I ended up calling my wife, and then my Pastor [Shane], asking for his accountability. I feel stronger already. I know this one thing: it's only... ONLY by His grace that I will return to Guam [where we lived in 2006] untainted by "Sin City". All glory to my Jesus, who gives me strength as I need it!
~JS
By the way, I did return with a great testimony for my community. God does give us strength as we need it.


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Conviction in Hunger

by: Brittany.p. On 2.2.10 1 COMMENTS
I was standing in my kitchen this evening searching for a snack. After a full day of meals (breakfast, lunch, AND dinner). One of my roommates walked in as I grabbed myself something from the fridge and started snacking. She laughed at my actions, as I retaliated with with "what I'm STARVING."

Suddenly, standing in my kitchen I was struck with conviction, a conviction that only comes from Him. There are people in so many places around the world (even in my very own country) that would have been lucky to have any meal today at all. THEY ARE STARVING. I would have been just fine without that little snack. No, I would have been more than fine. The phrase "I'm starving" gets thrown around in our society like it's nothing at all. Consider that the next time you're hungry and ask yourself what you can do.. (did you know there are bags of coffee sold that feed a meal to 500 kids in Haiti..wow)

Thank you Lord, for blessing me beyond any means that I deserve. To You alone be the glory.

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Gospel Community
A Biblical Concept?

by: Jason On 1.2.10 4 COMMENTS


Today, I had lunch with someone who has ideas for starting a men's ministry with me. I was reminded of what it means to live in community in the context of living the Gospel of Christ. I was also reminded of what Gospel community is not:

It is not mere affinity.
As Rick McKinley puts it, "Christ didn't die so that a bunch of golfers could hang out together". We love to be around people who are like us. We love it when people share our likes. Gospel community has nothing to do with that. In fact, living together in community with people who are unlike us is when we grow. The biblical concept of mutual submission is extremely rewarding when it is a challenge. And having Christ in common connects us in the deepest way.

It is not like other religions.
Every other religion is about answering the question "How can I become an insider?" Following Jesus is about realizing that we are outsiders, and that even Jesus lived as an outsider, and was hated and killed for confronting religious people. When you read the bible, it is not difficult to see that Jesus hated religion when it got in the way of the Gospel. Jesus even said to them "I am not here for insiders, but outsiders" - lost people. He said "The Doctor has come for those who know they are sick, not those who think that they are well". He claimed to be the only solution to humanity's sickness, and He said that the religious scholars didn't get it because they were too busy trying to be "insiders". True Christ-followers, then, are outsiders. Rejects. Folks who know they are sinners. The down and out. The desperate and the broken.

What is the Gospel anyway? Here is the big idea in a nutshell:

A PROBLEM [Genesis 1-3] - A communal God created humans in His image...
"In the beginning there was an all-loving, fully satisfied, ever relational God who lived in perfect fellowship with Himself [within the Trinity] in need of nothing. This God created the heavens and earth... He spoke and creation sprung into existence... And God said 'Let Us create man Our image'; male and female He created them."
...but sin came in and destroyed said sinless community. No more perfect fellowship with God [or people]. God distanced Himself from His creation.

A PLAN [John 1] - God has a plan to redeem His creation from their fallen, sinful state. The challenge: to find someone who is not in need of redemption themselves. The answer: Jesus, the Eternal Son of God, said "I will go and die in their place so that they can fellowship with Us again".
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... and the Word took on flesh and moved into the neighborhood... and lived a perfect life so that we wouldn't have to... all things were made through Him [Jesus]"


A PRAYER [John 17] - Praying aloud for His friends, Jesus revealed some important things about Himself (the Trinity), and about community.
"Father, glorify Me with the glory that We shared in the beginning before the world began... The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be ONE even as We are ONE, I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly ONE, so that the world may know that You sent Me and love them even as You loved Me..." - JESUS


A CLUE [Col 1] - Paul reminds us that Jesus is no less "God" than the Father or the Spirit. And, he reminds us that our Hope is found in Jesus, and no one else.
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn among creation, the exact imprint of His nature. He created all things. He was there in the beginning, and holds everything together by the power of His word... all things have been reconciled back to God through this Jesus."


A HOPE [1 Thes 5] - Paul reminds us that just as God has rescued us from the consequences of our sin, He will also complete His work of sanctifying us, restoring His image back to us, just as in was in the beginning before the Fall.
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Redemption means that the fellowship that was destroyed by Sin in Genesis 3 has been restored - both with God, and with man. Following Jesus is about restoring community. How are you living in Gospel community? How are you not?

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James 5:16
"Confess your sins to one another, and be healed"

by: Jason On 29.1.10 2 COMMENTS

An Act Of Confession from blaine hogan on Vimeo.

I remember when I first saw Blaine on a show called Prison Break. I also remember when I first saw him connected with xxxchurch.com, and when he teamed up with Fireproof Ministries & Difted Films. Some people, when they meet Jesus, really make a difference in the world. Blaine is that kind of Christ-follower.


After attending Mars Hill Graduate School in Seattle, He moved to Chicago where is produces worthy art for his community, as well as the masses.

Confession. It's something that we have talked a lot about here on b+B. Yet, it doesn't really get any easier, does it? Living naked sounds really great on paper. In real life, everything within us continually fights against it. What words come to mind when you read James 5:16? Pride? Shame? Vulnerability? Risk? Confrontation? Humiliation? Inconvenience? I know that for me, I always think of the word consistency. That is the only way that this spiritual discipline can do us any good. What good is it if we eventually stop? The reason for this is that we will never stop sinning. I have met Christ-followers who have disagreed with me on this, but eventually they always admit that we are, as Paul said in Romans, living in a "body of death". It's only a matter of time. We're redeemed from the curse of our father, Adam, but we still experience its effects while here on the earth. Theologians call this the "already/not yet" principal. We've already been set free from the bondage of sin, but we still must keep fighting against it so that we do not become entangled again. This tension is frustrating... but it is alright. When God paid the penalty for Sin, He took care of our past, present, and future sins. This is wonderful news, beggars! Perfection is not one of God's expectations for us. Aren't you glad? The Gospel is not only the door; it's also the path, as well as the destination.

God, forgive me for thinking that there is anything deeper than your Gospel. I have only scratched the surface, and I will spend the rest of my life plummeting Your depths.

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Our Participation in the Eternal Dance of Love

by: Jason On 28.1.10 0 COMMENTS

In John 13:1-20 Jesus washed His disciples feet. Afterward, He said:
"Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you."
This has to be the most baffling part of the Gospel - that the all-powerful God is humble. Why does God need to be humble? Is it an act, or does He sincerely have nothing to prove? If I were God, I would probably want everyone to know it. That is because I am sinful, full of pride, envy, self-centeredness, insecurity, etc. God, however, is not insecure. We see this when Jesus prays aloud in John 17 when He said:
"I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed."
Jesus is the eternal Son who has always existed [Col 1:15-20] with the Father and Spirit in perfect, sinless community within the eternal Godhead. By washing His disciples feet, He is reminding them that they are the imago Dei - the image of God. He is showing them that He wants them to taste the eternal love of the Trinity. He wants us to share in that pleasure while here on earth as a precursor of what's in store for us in heaven. At the end of John 13, He says to His followers:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
Jesus is saying "Love is action". It's our way of participating with God in the eternal dance of Trinitarian love - by simply serving one another. In Eph 5:21, Paul instructs us to
"submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ."
Submit. Not blindly obey, but to actually submit ourselves to being scrutinized by one another. Jesus is saying "If you do this, you will be beautiful". As we begin to find the Gospel (Christ, and all that He did for us) beautiful, He in turn makes us beautiful, and the world looks in and finds His people to be a beautiful community of selfless love, reflecting the image of God to them. We were made to want this.

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