09.26.07 thequest UPdate

Sometimes learning from the past helps us be wise today. Here's a look back for this week's thought:

from thequest email UPdate
June 2, 2004
thequest family,

Last week, I shared a little about our "wireless network" at home and the metaphor that is for thequest as well. Being in a network isn't just being connected to the Hub (GOD), but being connected with the others who are connected to the Hub. We want to connect with God...but we also want to connect with the people of God. That we are interconnected with them too!

I wanted to pass on a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer from his book Life Together (actually in German it was Gemeinsames Leben --that's for Mindi!) You may have heard of him, but in brief he was a noted follower of Jesus and author who was killed by the Nazi's in 1945. (For more check out www.dbonhoeffer.org/who-was-db2.htm ).

In the first few pages of this book, Bonhoeffer references that those followers of Jesus who live in isolation--"the imprisoned, the sick, the scattered lonely, the proclaimers of the Gospel in heathen lands"*--crave community. The old adage...absence makes the heart grow fonder...is really true about those who are alone or separated from Christian community.

I'll never forget when I heard the testimony of a man from Somalia who heard the Gospel through radio broadcasts into his country and gave his life to Jesus. From that time forward, he lived out his faith through his relationship with the radio. He hadn't met another follower of Jesus in person. He continued to follow Jesus but it was VERY difficult. About 5 years later when he discovered a person who also followed Jesus, he exploded! Can you imagine that...5 years of no one to encourage you, to pray for you, to love you in Jesus???

Back to the comment that Bonhoeffer made in connection to this was:

"Therefore, let him who until now has had the privilege of living a common Christian life with other Christians praise God's grace from the bottom of his heart. Let him thank God on his knees and declare: It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brethren."*

With that in mind, I am thankful to our God that we are on this quest together. I praise Him and am thankful for His Grace. Would you stop and praise Him too?

Press On,
Mike

* Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together trans. John W. Doberstein, Harper & Row: San Fransisco, 1954, p. 18.
** p. 20

For the rest of this week's UPdate click HERE

Jesus vs. the D-List Celebrity

Comedian Kathy Griffin made some major headlines last week when she won a “creative arts” award for her show, My Life on the D List, at the Emmy Awards. During her acceptance speech she said, “A lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus. He didn’t help me a bit.” Griffin then said, "S--k it, Jesus. This award is my god now."

Suffice it to say, the academy edited her comments out.

The backlash, though, was immediate. Suddenly petitions began floating around the Internet with bloggers calling it “hate speech” and comparing her remarks to Don Imus and Michael Richards. The President of the Catholic League, Bill Donahue, said, “Hollywood laughs when she says, 'S--k it, Jesus.' Had she said, 'S--k it Jews, s--k it Mohammad, s--k it Moses, s--k it Hillary,' they wouldn’t be laughing, would they? … It’s worse than racism.”

One of the most vocal criticisms came in the form of a 90,000-dollar full-page ad that ran in USA Today, paid for by a Christian theater group called Miracle Theater. The ad read, “We at The Miracle Theater consider it an honor to stand for Jesus today. We may never win a national award. We may never be household names. We may never be se! en in Hollywood. Although others may choose to use their national platform to slander our God, we are honored as professional entertainers to stand for Christ.” The Miracle Theater then posted a petition on its website called “Million Voices for Christ” which urges Christians to sign a statement condemning comments, saying, “The name of Jesus Christ should not be mocked, nor should those who love Him be slandered for their beliefs.” So far, about 55,000 people have signed it.

But this isn’t the first time a comedian or entertainer has poked fun at Jesus: Sarah Silverman makes fun of God and Christians; longtime veteran George Carlin does too. In fact, another set of “Griffins” on Family Guy are almost as sacrilegious, if not more so: Peter Griffin said he was Jesus when he discovered his pajamas allowed him to shock people with static electricity. Stewie Griffin had his own rather explicit vision of Jesus. And I! am sure those scenes cause some Christians to go up in arms as well, but oftentimes, we tend to write those off because “those Griffins” are cartoons.

Now, I had to admit when I first heard the comment, I was taken back. She did make a bold statement, and it was probably to stir controversy and to be funny. And knowing Miss Griffin’s act, the woman thrives off any publicity she can get. (She responded with a statement that said, “Am I the only Catholic left with a sense of humor?”) But, who cares about her response? The real question is, how do we as Christians respond? Do we get angry and start firing hate speech back at her? Do we shout “discrimination” and demand our 15 minutes of fame on TV too? Because like it or not, those who know we are Christians are going to be watching to see how we react, and they will be listening to what we have to say, because what we say and what we do says something about Jesus.

America was built so that there could be religious ! freedoms, so that religious people could be free of institutions and governments telling them how to worship, how to act and what to say; free speech allows us to worship and to evangelize. So, if we as Christians enjoy our right to free speech, can we in turn condemn others (especially the lost) when they exercise their freedoms? We all enjoy our rights to profess our faith, but then we get hurt and demand apologies when others profess theirs. People in America are so adamant when other people “offend them.”

Kathy Griffin said she was joking, and maybe she was or maybe her comments stem from something much deeper, but regardless, she is one of millions of people who are lost and searching for answers. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside" (5:12–13, TNIV). Ultimately, it is Christ who is the final Judge of all our hearts! (John 5:22). Who am I to judge a self-professed “D-list” celebrity?

Jesus said to love people; He said to pray for people–especially people who condemn and insult us. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Being a Christian means dealing with broken people, and yes, that’s a messy and complicated thing, but that’s our blessing. Matthew 5:11 says, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” And dealing with broken people is our calling (Matthew 28:19–20).

Author: David Kenney David Kenney is a college pastor in L.A. and is a recent graduate of the Master’s degree program at Fuller Theological Seminary.
from : 850 Words of Relevant- 09.24.07

09.19.07 thequest UPdate

thequest family,

Art. It's a creative thing. Where did it come from? I've got my bets on the "Creator" as introducing Art to our world. Art is an expression--for the musician in beautiful sounds, for the sculptor in metal or clay, for the painter with canvas and paint.

Art is an outward expression. It manifests itself in some way. A process and a product. The process and the product are both important. This is true in the Art of Loving. (oh and who by the way gave us Love?--I'm again betting on that "Creator"!) The process and the product are both important. You've got to LOVE in actions--that's process.

What's the product you may ask? I think Jesus told us--“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:35 (NLT) The product is proof.
This Sunday night, we'll have time to look at another expression of love--hospitality. We've all learned quite a bit about this, so we'll create some time in our discussion for everyone to share their thoughts about hospitality. So come ready to share what God has shared with you! (Check out the details below).

Speaking of hospitality, I was SO encouraged this week as one of our house churches took the time to have a social night. They cranked up some food and went to a local park and INVITED people to join them...and their was quite a crowd from what I hear. Those are actions of love...expressions of Jesus...and opportunities for Jesus to be named and honored.

I'm so privileged to be walking with you.

Press on in loving others,
Mike

For the rest of this week's UPdate click HERE

09.12.07 thequest UPdate

thequest family,

Do you have a guardian angel?

This was the question we wrestled with a bit on Sunday. A few of our folks and myself are doing a theological study group called TruthQuest all day once a month. This time the study was around Angels, Demons & Satan.

As we examined the Scripture together, we recognized that it doesn't point to a specific teaching about each person having a "guardian angel." Even though it's a nice thought, the Scripture doesn't support this particular idea.

One thing we did realize: the reality of angels being involved in our world. We realized that demons (bad angels) are at work all over the place, but maybe we don't give as much credence to the good guys! They have been active since the beginning and are active even now!

My purpose here isn't to to a whole treatise on angels. That's for another place and time. It is to say spiritual beings--messengers and workers for God--are working on our behalf.

Check out this "definition" of angels:

Therefore, angels are only servants -- spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. Hebrews 1:14 NLT

Angels have a job--they are doing it whether we acknowledge them or not! God's agents are working for God and caring for us. Amazing.

We must count in the spiritual realm. Reality requires it. The Scriptures require it. Even though if it seems like it ain't true. Even if it has been a long time since you've thought about it. It is true. The spiritual world is all around us and God has angels serving and ministering to us for our benefit and His purpose.

Think about it, and thank Him for his supernatural care for you. Oh, also be nice to everyone, because you never know if you might be entertaining an angel and unaware of it (Heb 13:2).

Press on,
Mike


PS. Here's a little verse list for you to find out more about angels: Top Ten Passages on Angels


The rest of thequest weekly email can be found HERE

09.05.07 thequest UPdate

thequest family,

“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." John 13:35 (NLT)

Jesus was pretty confident that as His followers would be lovers. They would be "on trial"--that is they would be accused of being little Christ's. For evidence He had only exhibit A--their love for others. Proof of a walk following Jesus is love for one another!

Love isn't a science, it's an art. And I am really excited about the upcoming Assemblies--The Art of Loving. The premise for this “Art of Loving” series, is that there are some skills which show people we love them. They are “soft skills,” not “hard skills” of organization, number crunching and productivity. These soft skills are more art, than science.

Some folks intuit these areas really well. Yet, the rest of us need some coaching and principles…and mostly practice so we can demonstrate our love for our neighbor, friend, family member or person who doesn’t know Jesus yet.We think that unpacking these “Artistic” areas is important so that we can really show people we love them. These 4 areas we are going to examine are really more like a rope, and we are trying to unwind the strands and look at each one individually:

The Art of Welcoming
The Art of Hospitality
The Art of Listening & Asking Questions
The Art of Sharing Good News

The when these strands are wrapped together they become very strong. And it's our prayer that over the next couple of months that we become stronger lovers--and grow very creative in demonstrating our love for others!

Won't you join us this Sunday night and the nights to follow over September and October? See the details on where and when below!

Press on,
Mike

Here's the homepage for the Art of Loving series: www.thequestcolumbus.com/art

Here's the rest of this weeks UPdate: http://www.thequestcolumbus.com/emailarchive/email09.05.07.html