Crusaders or missionaries?

We are having a worthwhile time here at the research intensives in Prague. As well as looking at the work of students from across the world. We have a couple of extra events going on. One of these was a talk, last night, by the missiologist, Andrew Walls.

One of the points he makes is the difference between the crusader and the missionary. He makes the point that the crusader simply seeks to imprint his own customs and laws on others. But the missionary seeks to identify with the life and culture of the people he seeks to touch with the reality of the Kingdom of God. Like Jesus.

Our task, at Bristo or wherever we are, is to bring a point of meaningful contact between the Kingdom of God and the people who are around us. There has to be a point of bridging between the convictions of people and the practices that are undertaken. We need to demonstrate, through the practices of our Christian lives, what our convictions are.

Fires of passion

There are profound parallels between love, given and received between men and women, and the communion of love that exists between Christians and God. In both ecstasy and passion are present; and to experience wonderful moments when we are touched by flames of divine or human love is beautiful and life enhancing.

Yet for those who know Christ, knowledge of love is focussed and found in the death and resurrection of our Lord. In the deep place there can be great pain. But it is out of the deep place that we find birth of new life and hope for the future. This poem invites reflection on that connection.

Fires of Passion

Fires of passion rise like flames
Touching embracing consuming
Life and feeling drawing
Into the heat of felt desire

Moments of ecstasy meeting
Reaching high never mundane
Glimpsing and tasting energies
Mysteries and wonders feeling

Seasons precious yet bursting
Sporadically infusing and exciting
Returning to smoulder in the heart
Lingering fond memories treasured

Deep within the fire truth born
Intense heat and power melding
Joining and fusing oneness
Transforming changing hidden parts

Sustaining power not destroying
Radiating and emanating essence
Warming holding caring reaching
From hidden depths of passion

Smiling and easily missed
Such fires live on
Sustained not by fleeting flames
Yet bursting out in moments of light

Such love is born of God

Heart Cry

1 Samuel 1

On my first readings of this passage, I found focus upon the prayer of pain. The place of being humbled and crying out to God in need. And this is important. God sees and hears the cry of our heart.

BUT there is more to it than that. Many people pray sincere prayers. Cry out in pain. But prayers do not seem to be answered.

It was on further readings that I started to see something else. Hannah perceives what it is the God of Israel desires. Lives of people given over to Him. What makes Hannah different is not that she seriously wants something. What makes her different is how she shapes the focus of her wants. A Son that is to be given over to God.

And it anticipates Solomon’s prayer: 2 Chronicles 1.7-12; and Jesus’ prayer in the garden: Luke 22.41-44. Bering in the place of brokenness does not mean we are useless. It can be the doorway to effectiveness. Humility married to desire for the purposes of God.

We need to understand that as our lives as are a journey, many of us might not be there when the great events of history – as seen by man - happen. But where, in the midst of suffering and trauma that comes to us as people, we turn ourselves to seek the presence and the purpose of God; then it is that we discover ourselves to be signposts and enablers of others in finding and walking the way of Jesus Christ.

a clear path

In this coming year, there are areas to clearly develop in our congregation. As we look to enlist and draw people into our journey in following Christ, we have to make sure that we are not simply inviting them into a ghetto of religiosity, new or old. What matters is the presence of the DNA of Christ's life and ministry. Lives that are intent on purposefully participating in Him.

There are three practical areas which I believe need to be intentionally developed in our lives as witnesses to Christ. We will be focusing on these and implementing ministries to express them:

• good news for the poor
• healing and deliverance
• peace making

This is a clear path for us to follow. Let us pray for wisdom in discerning how to walk it.

a new chapter in the journey

Christing living is a journey. There is a life to be developed. To be changed more into the likeness of God in Christ. This goes on throughout our lives. Something to grow into.

There are old things to be liberated from. To let go. Leave behind. Things that chained us and demeaned us. We need to pass on.

There is a future to anticipate. In this life and into all that lies ahead.

May your life be an exciting and meaningful journey-time in the coming year!