02.13.08 thequest UPdate

thequest family,

Mindi and I had the privilege of gathering with 200-some organic church planters in California last weekend at Church Multiplication Associates 2008 Conference. It was an impactful time in the sessions and workshops, and hanging out with like-minded and like-hearted people. What a joy to be embedded in what God is doing!

Many things were shared and discussed, but one of the most gripping things for me was the first session on Friday night with Deb Hirsch. Her talk was about the Obstacles to Living On Mission. She had 7 obstacles, but her first one out of the blocks was: "Distorted Views of Jesus." Deb went on to share the following quote:

"If your conception of God is radically false then the more devout you are the worse it will be for you. You are opening your soul to be molded by something else. You had much better be an atheist" - William Temple

I was stopped in my tracks. I have too often settled for a nice Jesus, than for the disruptive, radical, loving Jesus who is on the pages of the Gospels. He isn't just a pasty-white clean shepherd in stain-glass. He is the Good Shepherd--that is clear. Yet he told his followers to hate their mothers, to sell all they had, and to get behind me Satan. He overthrew tables in anger. He wasn't sanitary and privileged. He was earthy and real.

Deb's challenge was to run back to the Gospels and uncover again the Jesus who lived and loved on those pages--and who still lives and loves at the right-hand of God our Father.

I challenge you, to go back to the Gospels and ask Jesus to show Himself again as He really is there...that we might love Him and obey Him as He deserves.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. "Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:4-5)  

Press on,

Mike


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