A recurring theme throughout our meetings with the Missions Advisory Committee this week relates to the verse (Luke 5:37) in which Jesus says "...no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined." (NIV). That verse confused me for many years as to what it is referring to but I think I'm beginning to understand it now. I think that in many ways, it is referring to the gospel (good news) that Jesus was bringing, it just didn't fit into the box that the religious people of his time had built as to who God is and how He relates to us.
In the same way, no one can box in the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will move where it wishes and the way in which the Spirit works tomorrow may be very different than how the Spirit worked yesterday.
One report this week is that the Christian church in one Asian country had gone from approximately 1% of the population 20 years ago to approximately 0.5%. Our established churches in that country are characterized as good people but very much caught up in tradition and protocol. They are having a hard time relating to or accepting many of the new ways of reaching people for Christ that are beginning to be successful.
I think there is a lesson here for the Church of North America - and me specifically. May I never try to set walls in which the Holy Spirit can only work. How ridiculous; God must see that and laugh.
I don't want to be negative about the meetings. There were so many wonderful examples of the Holy Spirit at work throughout the world. People being served, healed, and saved in amazing ways!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
You Know You're From Washington...
Washington State that is! I stole this from a Sonic's blog from someone named "sea dawg" and shortened it.
1. You know the state flower (Mildew)
2. You feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash.
3. Use the statement “sun break” and know what it means.
4. You have never visited the Space Needle.
5. You buy your seafood from a grocery store and not Pike Place Market.
6. You know what Wa Mu stands for.
7. You know more than 10 ways to order coffee.
8. You know more people who own boats than air conditioners.
9. You stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the “Walk” signal.
10. You consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain.
11. You freak out when it snows less than an inch and call in sick.
12. You have yet to visit Underground Seattle.
13. You make fun of tourists who ride the duck.
14. You know there's no such thing as sasquatch.
15. You refuse to sell your house to someone moving from California.
16. You can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, Tulley's and Folgers.
17. You know the difference between Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye Salmon.
18. You know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Bremerton, Oregon, Yakima, and Willamette. Also…Snohomish, Fall City, Skykomish, Swinomish, Squamish, Squaxim, Steilacoom, and Skookumchuck.
19. You are not fazed by “Today’s forecast: showers followed by rain,” and “Tomorrow’s forecast: rain followed by showers.”
20. You have no concept of humidity without precipitation.
21. You notice “the mountain is out” when it is a pretty day and you can actually see it.
22. You put on your shorts when the temperature gets above 50, but still wear your hiking boots and parka. You switch to your sandals when it gets about 60, but keep the socks on.
23. You think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists.
24. You know all the important seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Raining (Spring), Road Construction (Summer), Deer & Elk Season (Fall)
25. You use "pop" and not "soda" or worse yet, "coke" to order a beverage.
I pass on everything other than the coffee items. Laura is much more a Washington native when it comes to knowing about that. I haven't been to the Seattle Underground and the one and only time I ever went up in the Space Needle was with people from out of town.
1. You know the state flower (Mildew)
2. You feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash.
3. Use the statement “sun break” and know what it means.
4. You have never visited the Space Needle.
5. You buy your seafood from a grocery store and not Pike Place Market.
6. You know what Wa Mu stands for.
7. You know more than 10 ways to order coffee.
8. You know more people who own boats than air conditioners.
9. You stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the “Walk” signal.
10. You consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain.
11. You freak out when it snows less than an inch and call in sick.
12. You have yet to visit Underground Seattle.
13. You make fun of tourists who ride the duck.
14. You know there's no such thing as sasquatch.
15. You refuse to sell your house to someone moving from California.
16. You can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, Tulley's and Folgers.
17. You know the difference between Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye Salmon.
18. You know how to pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Issaquah, Bremerton, Oregon, Yakima, and Willamette. Also…Snohomish, Fall City, Skykomish, Swinomish, Squamish, Squaxim, Steilacoom, and Skookumchuck.
19. You are not fazed by “Today’s forecast: showers followed by rain,” and “Tomorrow’s forecast: rain followed by showers.”
20. You have no concept of humidity without precipitation.
21. You notice “the mountain is out” when it is a pretty day and you can actually see it.
22. You put on your shorts when the temperature gets above 50, but still wear your hiking boots and parka. You switch to your sandals when it gets about 60, but keep the socks on.
23. You think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists.
24. You know all the important seasons: Almost Winter, Winter, Still Raining (Spring), Road Construction (Summer), Deer & Elk Season (Fall)
25. You use "pop" and not "soda" or worse yet, "coke" to order a beverage.
I pass on everything other than the coffee items. Laura is much more a Washington native when it comes to knowing about that. I haven't been to the Seattle Underground and the one and only time I ever went up in the Space Needle was with people from out of town.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Baptisms
I love this picture that John G. took of a woman being baptized near Ensenada, Mexico. That day 19 people were baptized from three different churches. I know these churches and pastors and they are all about reaching out to the hurting people of their city. It just reminds me of what baptism is all about - a demonstration of death to sin and the celebration of new life in Christ. And celebrate they did, swimming, eating, singing, spending time together, etc... not just a few minutes tacked on to the end of a service. The picture makes me imagine what baptism might have been like in the early church - crowds of joyful believers out in the open where the whole world can see. Of course if we tried it around here, a gator might get you...
Eight Things
Okay, so the only reason I'm doing this is because Allison tagged me - so I'd look like a wimp if I don't respond - or could it be that I've been waiting for years for someone to ask me about myself?
Anyway, here goes...
The Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules. (if you don't have a blog, email me)
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read their blog.
My eight random facts - in no particular order of importance:
1. I think I was born without smile muscles...
2. My greatest fears are speaking in public, heights (especially in elevators), and tight enclosed spaces (very claustrophobic).
3. I want a red-haired granddaughter - though none of my children have red hair.
4. I believe that lemon, garlic, butter and salt are the basis of the best recipes.
5. I hate chain emails and the stories and urban myths that get passed on that way.
6. I only sleep with one leg in bed at all times (you might could guess why).
7. Fried Oysters are my favorite food - though see item 4 above to see what I like on them.
8. I would like to live somewhere where the average summer temperature is about 72 degrees and I can see mountains out my window (guess that kind of excludes where I live now!).
Okay, now I'm supposed to list eight people who I've tagged to repeat this process. Believe me, I entirely understand if any of those listed do not wish to follow through. Remember, this is Allison's doing not mine...
Tagged are: Robert and Joene; Josh; Katie; Kathy B.; Steve E.; Marcia T.; and Elishia W.
Hope you have fun with it - maybe we'll learn a little about each other.
Anyway, here goes...
The Rules:
1. I have to post these rules before I give you the facts.
2. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules. (if you don't have a blog, email me)
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read their blog.
My eight random facts - in no particular order of importance:
1. I think I was born without smile muscles...
2. My greatest fears are speaking in public, heights (especially in elevators), and tight enclosed spaces (very claustrophobic).
3. I want a red-haired granddaughter - though none of my children have red hair.
4. I believe that lemon, garlic, butter and salt are the basis of the best recipes.
5. I hate chain emails and the stories and urban myths that get passed on that way.
6. I only sleep with one leg in bed at all times (you might could guess why).
7. Fried Oysters are my favorite food - though see item 4 above to see what I like on them.
8. I would like to live somewhere where the average summer temperature is about 72 degrees and I can see mountains out my window (guess that kind of excludes where I live now!).
Okay, now I'm supposed to list eight people who I've tagged to repeat this process. Believe me, I entirely understand if any of those listed do not wish to follow through. Remember, this is Allison's doing not mine...
Tagged are: Robert and Joene; Josh; Katie; Kathy B.; Steve E.; Marcia T.; and Elishia W.
Hope you have fun with it - maybe we'll learn a little about each other.
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