Paradigm Shift

Steven Covey once detailed that he was in a subway car on a quiet Sunday afternoon.  Some young children ran into the car, followed by their father.  The kids were acting rambunctious, causing a commotion and generally disturbing the peace.  Covey claims that his initial attitude, based on what he could see was, “How could this father just sit there and do nothing?” He said to the man, “Sir, do you think you could control your children a little? They are very upsetting to people.” And the man lifted his head up, becoming aware of what was going on, and said, “Oh yeah, we just left the hospital. Their mother died about an hour ago.  I guess they don’t know how to take it, and frankly, I don’t either.”

A paradigm shift, according to Covey, is when you allow your perception (what you believe about the world) to be shifted by seeking to understand where others are coming from.  If Covey hadn’t known that the man on this subway had just lost his wife – that the kids had just lost their mom – he might have remained irritated at their behavior.  But after looking past what he perceived was happening, he was able to realize that there was much more to the story.

I’m not claiming to be the most understanding all of the time – I’ve had many moments where judgement was my default lens. However, coming across this information (that I had previously learned over 12 years ago) was a timely and divinely orchestrated occurrence.

Part of why I find it so hard to forgive repeat offenders is because I am so deeply wounded by their behavior, which is re-opened with each new offense, that I build a snowball of resentment.  I am facing the need to forgive, but am having a hard time wanting to.  Among a topical bible study on forgiveness, anger and enemies, as well as some heart wrenching prayer, this paradigm shift information helped me get to a new level of awareness in how I can begin.

See, I get so absorbed in my own hurt that I don’t see theirs.

I’m not saying that my pain is invalid or that I don’t need to feel it (nor do I believe that a person should willingly put themselves in the position to be repeatedly hurt, if that is possible).  However, I’ve realized that part of preparing my heart to forgive is to understand where they might be coming from.  The well-circulated phrase that “Hurt people hurt people” is true – people hurt others because they are hurting.  And who knows how much hurt I may have caused others in my hurting state?

It brings home the verse, “Forgive as you’ve been forgiven.” (Colossians 3:13)  I didn’t deserve the forgiveness God gave me. And maybe, in my mind, neither do the ones who have hurt me.  But I have to do it anyway.  And pray for them.  And love them!  Trying to understand what might be causing them to hurt others helps me find compassion for the pain they must have in their heart and mind and leads me to obey the command to forgive, pray for, and love them.

Now, trust me, I feel that I will still have a process where my hurt overrides my understanding, at this point.  But there was one scripture that jumped out at me when I was researching forgiveness.  It is, appropriately, subtitled “Love for Enemies” and reads:

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43, 44 & 48)

That final verse is what got me and shifted the whole paragraph, in my mind.  The Greek translation for perfect is: mature and complete.  ”Be perfect” is, to me, an invitation. If I allow myself to become completed and mature in Christ, then loving my enemies and praying for them will more readily happen.

And so, I look up and know His love will fill me up and teach me how to love like He does. 

Reposted from the blog As One Approved.

Jesus Loves the Church

Just in time for the book's release (today), I finished reading Jesus > Religion. I will admit that I wanted to be on the "street team" to review it because I love to read and wanted a free copy!  However, with each chapter, I realized that Jefferson Bethke had really written something that will awaken the church and go down in history as one of the "greats" in Christian literature. 

Not only that, but his ideas and concepts in this book are right in line with what stirred in me to feel passionate about discipleship and create the Disciple Us space to promote building God's kingdom.  This final chapter was no exception.

He begins by sharing the excitement and anticipation of his own wedding, that took place during the writing of this book.  In the beautiful experience he detailed, he parallels his wedding to that of Jesus and the church. "That is the beauty of marriage. Every time you go to a wedding, you are seeing something deeply reflective of something else. The splendor and beauty are just shadows, a mist of what is to come for those who trust in Jesus. At every single wedding, Jesus is pulling back the curtain on eternity and whispering, 'That’s me and you!'" (Page 182 & 183).

And to further illustrate who Jesus' bride is, he shares, "The Greek word for church is ekklesia, which means a 'people called out.' What I love about that definition is it has nothing to do with a building. Church in America is viewed as a brick building with a cross on top. Church in the New Testament is a group of people with the power of Jesus in them unleashing grace on anyone and everyone they encounter" (Page 183).  

He points out that the bad experiences we may have had with "church" aren't indicative of what "the Church" really is all about.  "I saw that the church wasn't a museum for good people; it was a hospital for the broken. Jesus wasn't trying to create a place to show off his shiny employees; he wanted a place where his children could be healed" (Page 186). 

He detailed a time, after he began his relationship with Jesus, where he reached out to a mentor - a discipler.  This person accepted his weakness, his mistakes, his authentic self - and helped him grow closer to Christ in the process.  THAT is the church.  

While there are many buildings full of people, claiming to be the church, and some of them are following Jesus to the best of their awareness, my most amazing experiences within the body of Christ have been outside of an official brick and mortar building and on a day other than Sunday.  The Church is not limited to a building and a day.  

It has to be church when the only thing that is bringing

diverse people into the same room is their love for Jesus.

Not their jobs. Not their socioeconomic statuses. Not their races. 

But their mutual love for Jesus. 

That’s when you know

it’s the church  

(Page 189).

May we BE the church.  May we know that Jesus loves us, his bride.  May we learn to seek HIM.  

Thank you, Jeff, for this amazing book! I would encourage everyone who wants to grow deeper in their relationship with Jesus and in their awareness of what it means to follow Him, to read this book.  (I saw Jeff say that if you couldn't afford it, he was willing to send you a PDF copy for free!)

Thanks for following the journey of reading this book... stay tuned...

A Bright Future

I know I said the last chapter was my favorite, but after reading chapter 9, I have a new one!  I love Jeff's perspective and insight about what it means to worship God in spirit and truth.  He confirmed a lot of things that I had circling about in my heart and mind.

"Genesis 1 says everything he created was good. Everything. That means music, art, politics, food, animals, plants, and trees are all good in and of themselves. These things aren't evil, but our abuse of them is evil" (Page 161).

Bethke elaborates on many things pertaining to this notion, but the thing that resonated most with me was this: When I first became a Christian, I thought that to be a good Christian, I had to be in ministry. I thought people who weren't were just Junior Varsity Christians. I thought that to be on God’s good side, you needed to be a pastor, theologian, or priest... But that’s not what the Bible says. Peter was a fisherman. Paul was a tent maker. Jesus was a carpenter" (page 163 & 164).  

I recall, three and a half years ago, when I made the decision to give my life to God and accept the gift of grace through Jesus Christ.  My first year was listening to only Christian music, becoming overly involved in "church" activities and doing whatever I could to inundate my life with all things "Christian." I signed up for a course in ministry, which was great, but the initial goal was to complete the program with a degree in ministry. I thought I had to progressively become more and more Christian by taking Christian activity to the next level.  In the process, I burned out (a couple of times!) and pushed my spouse away from wanting anything to do with a Christian walk for a season.  As Jeff points out, it's not that any of those things are bad, but I had it in my head that to be a Christian, I had to do completely "Christian" things. But the truth is God honors our worship in whatever we do if we are honoring him and expressing gratitude to him.

Even my efforts for Disciple Us, which began as a large vision with a website and excitement to orchestrate discipleship relationships, started as an effort to be a formal, Christian program.  Perhaps, in God's wisdom, the events in my life that has taken this effort in a completely different direction point out that discipleship, in whatever form that it can be done healthily and authentically, is more important than any program. "No longer will worship be an external behavior with certain holy spots, but holiness will be a matter of worshiping in spirit and in truth. Faith is no longer wrapped up in a building; it’s wrapped up in every soul who loves Jesus. When the people of God move, the church moves. It’s not brick and mortar; it’s skin and bone" (Page 168).

Additionally, Jeff pointed out something that was very beautiful.  He specified this to single mom's, but I echo the notion to all moms, single or not: "Don’t struggle under the burden of wanting to do more outside your home but not being able to, especially if you have small children. You don’t need to lead a women’s group, write a Bible study, or serve in your neighborhood. Your kids take up all your time, as they should at this stage in your life. You don’t need to be leading a ministry. Your kids are your ministry!" (Page 165). 

This is not to say if you are able and have the God-given calling that you are not supposed to participate in these kinds of activities, as moms. But ultimately, our kids are the ministry we are given and neglecting them is not part of God's plan for our lives.  This really resonated with me as I have historically felt guilty if I'm not participating or leading in some capacity, even if it was at the expense of my family. 

I especially loved what Jeff's thoughts were about music and art ~ That because God created everything and saw it as good, ALL that glorifies him is also good.  I don't have to limit myself to "Christian" art and music to worship God.  I don't have to create only "Christian" work to glorify him. 

God So Loved...

"You don’t have to try to be God’s daughter or son. You just are" (Page 149).

In Chapter 8 of Jesus > Religion, Bethke speaks of God's scandalous grace. This has been my favorite chapter of his book, thus far.  What better news than to know that God loves you just because that is who He is?  What better news than His grace applies to you, no matter what you have done or will do?  

"Religion says go and try not to sin anymore, and then I won’t condemn you. Jesus reverses it. We understand we are free and no longer condemned and then we can go and live a life of freedom and holiness" (Page 139).

He makes clear, he doesn't condone people just going out and doing whatever they want because they are "saved."  But he also notes that those who have truly been transformed by God's love and grace will desire to be with Him, over the other behaviors that used to appeal.  

"God’s love is so potent that, when it finally pierces the heart, we can’t help but have a transformed heart... The problem with fear-based Christianity is we only obey when the fear is there. If you only want to obey God when you feel threatened by his commands, it’s not God you worship, but your fear. Love, however, compels a heart and produces lasting joy and obedience" (Page 143 & 144). 

He speaks to those who put on masks and are not being authentic. "The problem with wearing masks is even when we receive love, it’s really the mask that is receiving the love, not us. Whatever gets thrown at us will always hit the mask and can’t penetrate our souls. So it is with God’s grace. Every second of every day he pursues us and offers grace, but until we take off our masks, we will never be able to accept it. When we expose ourselves and are completely vulnerable, we lose control but gain joy and freedom" (Page 140). 

Healthy vulnerability and authenticity are rare and difficult characteristics to find in the modern American world.  I believe we have become more afraid of what our fellow man and society dictates is "okay" that we fail to show our true colors.  The beautiful thing about God's love is that as it transforms us, it continues to free us into who we were designed to be, regardless of the world's standards.  

I am definitely a work in progress, but I have been so thankful for the transforming power of God's love and grace.  The more I grow in relationship with Him, the more I am in awe of it and the more freedom to just love Him and trust Him occurs.  My masks are dropping.  I'm learning to be who I was created to be.

"Real grace loves us right where we are, but it loves us too much to keep us there. Cheap grace—which is not really grace at all—is like a horrendous version of love that sees its loved one in danger and simply says, 'I love you.' That doesn’t cut it. We need rescuing. And God does exactly that. We know we've accepted God’s transforming grace if we begin to look different. Don’t think grace is beyond your grasp. God is offering it to you. It’s free. And it’s life-giving. Will you trust him?" (Page 153).

God Already Punished Jesus

In this chapter, Jeff writes that for a long time, he believed his actions were linked with his blessing/punishment from God.  What he came to realize, as the chapter title claims, was that God already punished Jesus completely and fully!  Any subsequent suffering can be used for good and growth, if we choose to allow it.

I was tired from emotional pain.

You ever had that? It’s weird how when emotional pain is

sharp enough, it almost feels like it physically hurts. For weeks

I couldn’t sleep—but the funny thing is, all I wanted to do

was sleep. Sleeping was the only time I didn’t feel depressed

or burdened. It was the only time the pain disappeared. It was

about lunchtime, and I had finished class and crashed on the

bed. That’s when everything flooded over me. It was in that

moment I had a scary but very concise thought. The easiest way

to take away this pain would be to put myself out of my misery.

Huh? Did I just think that? I thought only super-depressed

people had those thoughts. I snapped back into reality,

shocked I even had that thought. What was more shocking

was how attractive the thought was. It was a whisper that

promised something it couldn't give—peace (page 114).

We live in world where depression and suicidal thoughts are abundant.  And the pain is real! It hurts!

Jeff goes on to write that he had made idols out of people, relationships and things that weren't God!  And when those things would fail, he would feel the bottom pulled out from beneath him.  He learned: "I wanted God to give me an answer, but now I've found it is better when I just get him" (page 120). 

I've been here - sometimes I still slide back here!  I have made an idol out of many things in my life, not meaning to.  My experience has been that when I look to God, he makes ALL things good, just as he promised in Romans.  Even the most excruciatingly difficult times!

My dad left his earthly body four months ago.  This was an incredibly difficult time for me. I can't begin to put into words how difficult the last four months have been! I've never cried so many tears, felt such intense pain, and agonized over what had been, was, and would be, as a result of his passing.  At first, I didn't think I would ever feel better or have relief from this pain.  And there were definitely moments where I wished the pain would end. 

However, I chose, not too long after he died, that I was going to look for the good things God was doing in my grief and document them.  Even in the most pain I had ever experienced, I could see that God was already giving me hope and creating opportunities for massive growth!  I still have flutters of sadness, but God has worked many mighty miracles in my heart and mind ~ He made the most painful event I've experienced into something beautiful in countless ways. 

"The seasons when it’s tough, when it hurts, and when you hate it are bringing a season of sun and a season of life" (Page 119).  God isn't punishing you! You aren't getting what you deserve! "He owes us nothing, but he gives us everything" (Page 116).  And he will make ashes into beauty!  I KNOW this!

I appreciated Jeff's thoughts on how to best support people who are going through a difficult time. "If you can’t explain it or understand why, don’t try to. Be there, be gentle, be vulnerable, be involved, and let God’s grace do the talking. Because the truth is, no matter how ugly or how deep the scars, there is always hope" (page 126).

There is always hope In Jesus Christ who has promised to never leave us or forsake us! We have a GREAT God who loves us very much.  He works through our grief, suffering and difficulties to show us more love and more of Him!

  

Seek Jesus = Get God

"When you concentrate on God, you can actually enjoy his gifts in a meaningful way. But when you pursue just the gifts themselves, they become the product of despair rather than joy" (page 102).

In chapter six of Jesus > Religion, Jefferson Bethke points out that in a religious mindset, we concentrate on what we can get from God, whereas in seeking Jesus, we get God.  He refers to viewing God like Santa Claus and expecting not only to get what we want, but that it is a mentality of if I do good, I get blessed; if I sin, I do not. Jeff asserts that our focus on this sort of thinking becomes idolatry - making more of how we can be blessed than in knowing and loving God and being in relationship with him.

He goes on to share personal experiences of learning the "Santa Claus God" way of thinking as a child with the struggles and difficult circumstances he and his family faced.  This way of thinking was changed as he studied the scriptures in young adulthood and learned the truth of God, that "...we can’t measure ourselves by what we have or don’t have. We can only measure ourselves by the fact that we love and know Jesus" (page 101). 

I have definitely fallen into the trap of thinking I was being punished or blessings were being withheld due to my sin.  I have also had the mindset that if I was "doing all the right things" I should be blessed.  It was a freeing awareness to discover that I could let go of the mentality of both and just enjoy God's love and presence, knowing that there would be joy and sorrow, but I would be okay in both because he is with me.  Even in my sin, I can come to him and be loved.  Even on my best day, my focus can be on letting the joy of the Lord be my strength and give him gratitude for that.

The progression in my Christian walk went from => believing Jesus existed => believing what he said and did => believing it applied to me => believing it was for me to have an intimate relationship with God who completely loves me no matter what I do. Through that relationship, God will guide me to what his will is for me instead of me guiding him to what my will is.  

I live you with a visual quote that jumped out at me as the summary of this chapter.

In Need of Grace

"God doesn't grade on a curve; he grades on a cross. Trying to be good enough to earn heaven is like trying to jump to Hawaii from the coast of California. Everyone looks like an idiot, some drown, some get three feet, some get ten feet, but no one even gets close to Hawaii" (page 78). 

While the chapter four title is lengthy, (With Religion, there are Good and Bad People/ With Jesus, there are only Bad People in need of Grace) it pretty well sums up the content Jeff is trying to get across.  As the above quote from his book notes, there is nothing we can in our own effort to "make it" to those pearly gates.

This paragraph jumped out at me and resonated on a core level: 

My identity, my worth, and my purpose in life were

wrapped up in my behavior and earning others’ approval.

Because of this I sacrificed my life 

trying to make others think I was a good person. 

Who cares if I actually was? 

I just wanted others to think I was. 

All my energy was devoted to

keeping people’s perceptions of me in good standing. 

I wonder how many others behave this way. 

(Page 79)

It wasn't very long ago, in the middle of intense grief over the death of my dad, that I realized my entire life had been what Jeff had written in that paragraph.  I had become a people-pleasing, approval-seeking, reputation-saving person. I didn't mean to be - I had just learned to function that way from a very young age. Coming into an awareness of this has only been strengthened in the words I'm reading from Bethke's book!

"The paradox of the Scripture is that it calls us way more sinful than we think we are, and it calls us way more loved than we think we are" (Page 90).  We are all in need of God's grace.  We are all in need of His love.  He offers us both through Christ.  We don't need to take matters into our own hands, but rest in Him.  

And so let’s be done with the comparison game. Let’s be

done with constantly fighting for the higher moral ground to

stand on and look down on everyone else. Let’s be done with

thinking we can actually earn something that is impossible

to earn. Let’s stop trying to be perfect and righteous because

those are not the people God is looking for. God is looking for

people who can admit their needs and surrender to a Savior,

because if the Bible is any indication, it doesn’t matter how

messed up you are. If you love him, he can and will use you.

(Page 90)

Part of why this book is so powerful in my life, at this time, is because of the truth that he speaks to MY heart and soul about the difference between having an authentic relationship with Jesus vs checking-the-box performance-based religion.  If no other person is impacted by my reading and reviewing this book, I'm still not wasting my time!

Jesus Makes Friends - Jesus>Religion

"The biggest difference between religious people and gospel-loving people is that religious people see certain people as the enemies, when Jesus followers see sin as the enemy" (page 63).

In the fourth chapter of Jefferson Bethke's book, Religion Makes Enemies/Jesus Makes Friends, he points out the difference between a religious response to the world's behavior and Jesus' example of how our response could look more like His.

He points out that our society helps nurture a competitive and enemy driven mentality. "We are trained to assert ourselves above and against each other" (page 61).  I recall a pretty big football game this weekend between two rival teams in their league - Seahawks vs. 49-ers - to which I witnessed a great deal of competitive mentality.  Of course, competition has it's place, but the aftermath and how people respond to it is the example here.  And that is what Jeff uses to draw out the difference between a religious mindset and a Jesus one.

He details some of the specific competitions among denominations and then how Christianity, as a whole, competes against anyone who believes differently. "...we can't honestly think any non-Christian will want to come into the family of God if we are just as - if not more - divisive than the rest of the world.  Sometimes how we dialogue in today's culture is just as important as why we dialog" (page 62).   The how is a big thing in my own experience with conversations and/or disagreements - it makes a HUGE difference to my receptivity of what is being said if the how is done in a respectful and loving way.  I can imagine that many people are like that as well.  I can't attack or "bible bash," as they say, if I want anyone to feel safe or comfortable enough with me to trust or hear what I'm saying.

"Religion, unfortunately, is notorious for making enemies... it can almost always be traced back to people who think their standing with God comes from their own righteousness" (page 62).  Or in other words, those who become self-righteous.  I have had many seasons where I got on my soap box and behaved as though I was god or I knew what was "right" - usually followed by a season of being compelled to be humble and reminded that God is God and I'm not!  I'm sure I made a few enemies in my self-righteousness, even though that has never been my intent.  Jeff points out, "When Jesus told the first disciples to love their enemies, he didn't add, 'as long as they look like you, talk like you, and act like you'" (page 63).

This chapter (and the book thus far) has definitely made me look closer at how I respond to people.  Do I detest their differences?  Do I show them healthy love, as I am able?  Even in the season I am in, I know I could use more of a love-based mentality toward my fellow man.  "Because I trust that if Jesus' grace has radically collided with a heart, I believe that person will begin to align themselves with Jesus' image, looking more like him everyday" (page 70).  Amen!

So Called Christians - Jesus>Religion

"All the reasons my peers oppose Jesus are the same reasons Jesus opposed both the hyperfundamentalist and the fake" (page 38).

It's easy to see, especially with all that Jeff points out in Chapter Three, why so many people look at Christians and want no part of it.  Where we were meant to display love, we display judgement or hypocrisy, in many cases.  In this chapter, he points out how both keep us in a "religious" mindset and out of the relationship with Jesus that transforms our lives. 

He quoted Brennan Manning with this: "The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their mouths and walk out the door and deny him with their lifestyle."  

This notion builds on the last two chapters where the overall theme is showing the ways we have been more involved in religion than with Jesus.  How can we expect to share the "good news" with others if it doesn't look like good news? The good news is that God loves us, sent his son to show us that, and we can have hope in life because of it - and hope in the party that is to come!  Love, hope, party with God!  I would be all over that if I didn't know anything about Christianity other than that.

Prayed a prayer? Check

Regularly attended Bible studies? Check

Had a necklace or bracelet with a cross or fish? Check

Actually loved, pursued, and enjoyed Jesus more than anything?

Well, not so much (page 47).

I realized how much of my life has been about checking off the "good stuff" I've done and not as much about knowing Jesus personally.  There is no depth to my Christian walk if I'm not in relationship with Jesus.  It is my belief that without depth, there is no true discipleship.  The greatest teachers I have learned from had depth in the form of experience, authentic sorrow & joy, and above all else, a very connected relationship with God.  Without them, my walk would not have also gained some depth.  Discipleship would not have been as effective.  

He goes on to talk about the parable of the prodigal son.  We sometimes forget about the older brother in the story, but he plays an important role in understanding the entirety of the message.  The father in this story loved BOTH sons.  He invited BOTH sons to the party.  

The younger son was foolish.

The older son was prideful.

The younger son was physically lost.

The older son was spiritually lost.

The younger son didn't want the father's love.

The older son thought he could earn the father's love (page 56).

I've been guilty of being both the younger and older son, in my life.  But I love how Jeff wraps this up:

"Like both the older and younger brothers, we must learn that the joy of our lives is not in what we get from the Father, but how we get to be with him as his children. He's throwing a party and we are all invited" (page 57, underline added).

We can be with him always, because he promised to be with us always.  And that is where transformation and relationship happen.  That is the essence of following Jesus.  Beautiful things can happen when we allow ourselves to be loved - we chose to love ourselves and others for no other reason that love itself. <3

I Still Think Jesus Hates Religion - Jesus > Religion

So, the title of this second chapter really catches peoples' attention.  "Why I Still Think Jesus Hates Religion (And You Should Too)"  Pretty blunt, possibly offensive.  But if one takes the time to read Jefferson's thoughts that further elaborate, with an open mind, you'll see what he means.

"... what I am saying is that I hate any system that upholds moral effort or good behavior as the way in which we can have a proper relationship with God" (page 32).

Jefferson transferred from to a school in Oregon that was extremely liberal.  Here was this passionate, renewed in Christ, young man among many people who would cringe at the name of Jesus.  As a dorm R.A., basically a dorm counselor and friend to those staying there, he found so much brokenness.  But when he would bring up Christianity, he found people quickly shut down or zoned out.  He realized that they had associated Jesus with how Christianity behaves today.

"When on earth did 'hates gays, can't drink beer, and no tattoos' become the essence of Christianity?  It hit me that my friends weren't the ones to blame for their confusion.  They had gotten this idea from people they grew up with, churches they went to as kids, or preachers they saw on TV.  It was the church's fault that they thought this was what real Christianity was all about" (page 26).

I think about what the most notable, make-the-news kind of stories you hear about Western Christianity today might lead others to think or believe about Christian belief.  Judgement after judgement, rejection after rejection, should after should.  As I previously noted, motivated by fear, obligation or guilt.  Whatever happened to Jesus being the judge?  Whatever happened to "he who has no sin, cast the first stone"? (John 8:7).  I believe "we" as "the Church" are doing far more judging and much less loving. Jesus' example showed us the other way around.  I believe "we" look a lot different today than the original church He set up.

I've often wondered, if Jesus were to walk into a church gathering, if he would be rejected or accepted. Would we even recognize him? Would we be like the Pharisees and judge Him for what He is wearing or how He behaves?  Or despite His differences from what has become "the norm" would we show Him love? Would He observe a freedom of love among those in attendance?

Looking at Jesus' example, we see how much he loved those who were rejected by the rest of society - he ate with them, spent time with them, healed them.  I'm not saying that "the Church" doesn't do that entirely, but as a whole, I agree with Jeff's assessment: "When you distinguish Jesus to God-man from the religion that developed around him, people investigate the person of Jesus rather than the rules of Christianity" (page 34). If we say we are following after Him, then there are no boundaries of who we can show love to.  "As I've heard said, 'Of 100 unsaved men, one might read the Bible, but the other 99 will read the Christian'" (page 26).

I hope that as I grow closer to Christ, learn who He was and is and is to come, that I will let that encourage and mold my character into becoming more like Him.  And as I do, even though I may fail, I hope to show that kind of behavior toward my fellow man to encourage them to look to Him above all else.  He will produce the love motivation I seek.  He will produce the love and acceptance that others seek.

Will The Real Jesus Please Stand Up? Jesus > Religion

I knew when I read this chapter title that this was going to be one full of conviction and one that would have me highlighting on every page!  Sure enough - there were so many nuggets of wisdom and poetry in detailing that, as a whole, Western Christianity has lost perspective of who Jesus really is.  I wish I could elaborate on each one, but I feel what is to follow is important to share.

"We've lost the real Jesus - or at least exchanged him for a newer, safer, sanitized, ineffectual one.  We've created a Christian subculture that comes with its own set of customs, rules, rituals, paradigms and products that are no where near the rugged revolutionary faith of the biblical Christianity." (page 9)

Once upon a time, I was all about ritual, rules, and activity that revolved entirely around me being a "good church girl."  The problem, I discovered after many years, was that my motivation was fear, guilt, and obligation.  There was no motivation rooted in love.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives our fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)

Somewhere along the way, through wonderful spirit-filled mentors, I was able to see that I had viewed the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as beings that I could not disappoint or let down through my sin and I had to work more diligently not to, but because I kept failing, I did not deserve to receive the gift of love and forgiveness.  Ugh!  That was gradually replaced with TRUTH - all I needed to do was seek God; to be in relationship with Him; to accept His love - and then be motivated by it.  He IS Love!

But Jefferson's words still resonated, because my ingrained behavior still veers me in the direction of people-pleasing to "look Christian," rather than to just love and let that love flow from above, through me, and towards others.

It seems, at times, my god is really other people - or myself - that being motivated by what other people think or focusing on how exalted I can become is the worship I engage in.  Ugh, again!

I recently had a conversation with a pastor I respect.  He shared that there is two views to one scripture that is often misunderstood found in John 14:15.  If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  This pastor admitted that he had formerly viewed this scripture through the viewpoint of believing that to show God love, he had to keep all of His commandments.  I have shared that view.  He then pointed out that if you read the entire chapter, Jesus is giving comfort, explaining blessings of oneness, and detailing the role of the Spirit.  No condemnation, no chastising - just love.  And this pastor concluded that what this scripture is really saying is: "Just love God and keeping his commandments will happen naturally, out of that love!"  What a refreshing insight.

The Bible isn't a rule book.

It's a love letter.

I'm not an employee.

I'm a child.

It's not about my performance.

It's about Jesus' performance for me. 

(page 7)

I pray that we will all be motivated by love - accepting of God's love towards us, passionate about our love toward him, and allowing that love to propel our actions with freedom, truth and grace.

Jesus > Religion

"Many people had been sold religion with a nice Jesus sticker slapped on it.  Many people had been burned by so-called Christians.  Many people had been abused, hurt, mistreated, and maligned all in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  But what their souls were craving was the true Jesus.  The One who heals.  The One who redeems.  The One who gives life." ~Jefferson Bethke

I can relate to this paragraph.  I lived this paragraph.  I am continuing to crave and find the true Jesus.  It is a cause I believe in.  That is part of why discipleship became so important to me and why I want to promote the case for finding HIM.

Jefferson Bethke's new book, Jesus > Religion, is due to be released in October.  But I have the amazing opportunity to preview it and share my thoughts about it.  For the next few weeks, I will be writing about what I'm reading and my thoughts and experiences as it relates to this book.   I'm very excited because I respect and admire Jeff's work, but I also believe that what he has to say can change lives!  I believe that even without the credentials of a pastor or theologian, God has used Jeff as a mouth piece for awakening truth in people's hearts.  I love that God is using him, an unlikely young man, much like David of old, to bring great things to the Body of Christ, His people.

This book was spring boarded off of his video, Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus, that was a viral sensation on You-Tube.  To date, it has over 25,000,000 hits, but within 48 hours of posting it, a casual effort of Jeff and his friend, it was viewed almost 7 million times!  You think it resonated with people?
It certainly did in my heart!

I hope some of the thoughts I share and elaborate on from this book will bring a greater depth and desire to follow the One True King, Jesus.

Messy Discipleship

It's been a couple of months and so much has changed.

Due to the passing of my dad, I have been out of the daily discipleship loop. The website has closed down and my heart is in a funky place.  I believe that I am taking a healthy space to grieve and process all that losing a parent entails.  And God is teaching me.

One thing I have been taught is the importance of the scripture that asks believer and followers to not only rejoice with those who are rejoicing, but to weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15).  I was completely ignorant, prior to my dad's death, what grief entailed.  I realize that every person's grief is different and complex due to the personal nature of relationships.  However, I know that I failed to understand, historically, other people's grief.  For that, I repent! I'm sorry for any lack of sensitivity I may have ever displayed.

Another thing God is working in me is a struggle with hypocrisy.  You see, prior to my dad's death, I was "gung-ho" all about discipleship and showing God's love.  When he died, the love was seriously tested.   Because of the sensitive state I was in, I was deeply hurt often by people who did not acknowledge my grief and/or who minimized mine with their actions and words.  I started to lose faith in humanity.  How could I preach discipleship and not want to be around other human beings?  How could I show them love when my heart was so broken?

My answer is that discipleship is messy.  And there are seasons when my ability to give and devote to others are limited.  And I still love Jesus.  And He still loves me.  And I'm still trying to find love and give it, even though it's through heartache that I do.

I'm so thankful for the patience and love of people who have seen me through this process and discipled me along, even in my mess and hypocrisy. <3

What is Discipleship?

In the Bible, the use of the word disciple was in direct reference to those who followed Jesus.  It was beyond a belief in who He was and what He was doing - they went with Him where He went, learned from Him, ate with Him, taught with Him, performed miracles with Him.

Paul and Timothy were a great example of this model as well.  Paul was further along in his spiritual journey and Timothy was just coming into his spiritual abilities.  Paul took the time, effort and care to invest in a relationship with Timothy.  He trained him into becoming a more equipped and capable young man by teaching him what it looked like to be a follower of Christ.  He went on to lead a community of Christ followers, without the direct help of Paul, equipping and training others.

In modern terms, it was much like an apprenticeship program - a person follows after one who is experienced and skilled, observes and learns from them, then puts into practice those skills in their own work. And quite possibly, as they become more skilled, they can, in turn, teach others the craft.

Discipleship should be centered around Jesus and having a relationship with Him. He is the Lord, the Master.
Relationship with others is part of discipleship as well - "go, and make disciples" can't be done alone or without impacting others.  It translates, really, into being a disciple-making disciple.  Not only following Jesus, but pointing others to Him as well.

This process is life-long, as Ephesians 4:13 points out: "...until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."

What has Jesus done in your life? How has following Him blessed you? As you have grown in Christ, what about your life has been different or improved?  How have you been refined? How have you gained more ability in manifesting the fruit of the Spirit? These are things that can be shared with others who might go through the same things you have already experienced. And beyond your words of testimony, your life can be an example to others of what it looks like to follow Jesus.

So, while we are on the road to maturity in Christ, we can help others through our experience, wisdom, hope and example. We can point them to Jesus.  That is discipleship. So be it!

Ekklesia - Following Jesus as Lord

In my discipleship group through INSTE, we are studying "the Church" this week.

Ekklesia - the assembly of those who have been called and follow that calling.  THIS is the Church. Not a building. Not just people who show up on Sundays. The gathering of people who have been called AND who follow that calling.

Who called us? Jesus did.  It's His bride, the Body of Christ, that we are talking about.  So, if He called us, that would mean it is Him we are following, right?

I think sometimes people stop at confessing belief in Jesus.  They accept that He is their Savior, but do they accept that He is also their Lord?

A lord is defined as: one having power and authority over others (Mirriam-Webster Dictionary). A great example of an earthly version of a lord that helped drive home the concept of lordship was Lord Grantham on Downton Abby. In watching the first episode, I saw the servants of this grand English house, most of them completely devoted to serving their “Lord” of the manor.  Everything they did from the moment they woke up to the moment they went to bed was in service of this Lord and his family.  (You can read more about this comparison here.)

I'm convinced that if every Christian who has confessed belief in Jesus Christ also lived each day as though He was their boss or Lord, "discipleship programs" wouldn't need to exist. We would be ever aware of expressing the fruit of the Spirit and pointing the people in our lives to our Master through their observance of what we say we believe by how we behave. They would want that fruit as well (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - Galatians 5:22-23).

But until that is true for every believer - until they become disciples as well - our job and goal is to help people recognize that as the Ekklesia, the Church, our eyes should be fixed on Jesus, our Lord, and our actions should represent Him.  As we build each other up, through discipleship, this can happen! 

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