How long can we fake it

I am stuck on this cup analogy. This idea that all we have to do is keep up the appearance of change. We can be like the Emperor in The Emperor's New Clothes, we are convinced that no one really sees the reality of our heart. We can smile and say the right things for a time, but eventually we start to crack. Our attitude starts to show in our comments, facial expressions and behaviour. This happens because keeping up a facade is hard work. It takes alot of energy. So, why do we start a game we can't finish. Why do we convince ourselves that we can do it.

It takes alot less energy to be transparent. Sure it can be hard at first, because we are used to living the lie. It is uncomfortable. Transparency seems like nakedness, but the freedom it brings is amazing. "I am not perfect. I have cracks. But, by God's grace, not anything of me, I am striving to live my relationship with God. It isn't always pretty, but it is real." We don't have all the answers, so why pretend we do. That just pisses people off. People were drawn to Jesus because of His transparency. I am sure they will be drawn to Him by ours.
This can only happen if our cup is clean. Which can only happen if we fill our cup with His Spirit.

Peace,

K

How's your cup?

Is it cleaner on the inside or the outside? Sometimes we as followers tend to get tunnel vision about how things appear on the outside. Maybe preoccupied is the right word. We worry about looking good. Looking holy. Looking happy. What a crock. Many of us have been guilty of making sure our appearance is pristine, but neglected to clean the "inside" of our cup. We say and do the right things, but our heart is black, or at the very least, grey. This amounts to placing us in the same category as used car salesmen. I have a friend who used to say, if you make a car shiny, no matter how bad it runs, someone will buy it. I think at times we hope the same for our faith.

What people really need is to see that the inside of the cup is different, not just the outside. If we are transparent and allow people to see our hearts, and they are "clean", people will be drawn to Christ. They want to know that God really makes a difference that is more than superficial. For the most part real people don't care about appearance, language, style, etc., as much as we think they do. They care about being loved and accepted, people having compassion, people serving each other. As Karl has pointed out, he is drawn to Christians who do stuff, not ones who just talk pretty(my Paraphrase). Which are you? Which am I?

Peace,

K

Talk, Talk, Talk

We are good at it aren't we? We can talk all day about vision, passion, ministry. I think, we think that as long as we are talking about doing something, it is as good as doing it. Which may be the case, if all we had to do was impress ourselves. The rubber eventually has to meet the road. Talking is great,.... if it leads somewhere, if not, it's just GAS.

Peace,

K

Being Holy

I am struck by the thought of what it means to be incarnational. I was challenged yesterday that being holy isn't about "not" doing, but rather, it is about "doing". Being holy has more to do with being in the world than, in church, or prayer, etc. It has more to do with living out what God has called us to than it does striving for perfection. Love the unlovely, that is holiness. Feed the poor, that is holiness. It is definitely a different way of thinking. It is also very freeing.

Peace,

K

What's in my head

I have so much stuff running through my head these days. Thinking alot about what it means to be incarnational. Heard a great recording today of Micheal Frost from the YFC National conference. It was an encouraging reaffirmation and challenge to do church well. We have not perfected it, but we do it well. We are on the right track. I pray that God will continue to guide us down this strange road of incarnational community. The challenge is to continue to grow this philosophy and spread it around. I don't know if any of this makes sense to you, but this is what's in my head.

Peace,

K

AAHHHHHH!!!

What Would Jesus Eat? Dr. Don Colbert
Discover a comprehensive nutrition plan that incorporates Bible-based eating.....

I am ashamed to be associated....

Peace,

K

WWJD

I have no clue most of the time. I know what He would do in some situations, because we see Him in action in The book. But, most of the time I hear people expounding on what Jesus thinks, it is usually judgemental and is more what they wish or hope Jesus thinks, because that is what would make them happy or comfortable. As a friend pointed out recently on our message board, I don't think Jesus is so quick to load the shotgun as we are. I know that Jesus' first reflex is to love, including loving the unlovely. Maybe we should just try doing that for a while and see how it works out for us.

Peace,

K