There seems to be some intrinsic, built in desire to see a band of brothers and sisters conquer some task, mission, or goal that lies incredibly deep within me. This is partially why I spent twelve dollars this past Monday along with my best friend to go and watch a 61 year old, face lifted, bow tox ridden, steroid induced, hero by the name of one John Rambo rescue the world from evil. I mean seriously Sly how do you do it? This guy is my dads age and my pops struggles to even finish a round of golf (sorry dad). I must admit seeing Sly in the shape he is in did inspire me to start a new diet, there was something hard to digest about a 61 year old grandpa making me look really bad, and I mean really bad!
Back to this intrinsic desire to be on mission with a select few is something I think about a lot, and something that I have been studying this week in Philippians chapter 2. The author of this short Epistle would categorize this as “oneness” as would the founder of Christianity himself; that being Jesus in John chapter 17. Paul begins to address this band of brothers and sisters in the influential city of Philippi, imploring them to bond to one another in “spirit and purpose.” He says:
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better then yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”
This idea of oneness is something that I believe we not only crave but something that the world uses at an authenticomenter (word I just made up, an instrument used to tell if someone or some group is legit, or authentic)(copywrite 2008). I’ve been reading a book by Joe Meyers called “the search to belong” a read that has challenged a lot of my thinking, and within that book I came across a quote by the legend Francis Schaeffer that stated:
“Our relationship with each other is the criterion the world uses to judge whether our message is truthful—Christian Community is the final apologetic.”
This quote, in light of my studying of Philippians has been rocking me and leading me to ask the question of what do people see of God through me, through my missional community, through the community of Axis? Do people see more of God, because of what they see in the gathered community of Axis?
As Paul writes to this community in Philippi it’s important to know that they were quite the eclectic group, lead by women (culturally not the norm) and made up of anything but a homogenous group. What a difficult task of committing to oneness in the reality of diversity.
There are many things I love about you, the Axis Community and one of those is the amount of diversity that we have. I love how different we are, how each MCH differs from the other, however we are bonded together by our shared vision, and values of making Christ known in our culture, making Him known among our generation! This small band of brothers and sisters in Philippi seemed to understand what was at stake; they believed Paul and embraced the words of Jesus that said:
“I'm praying not only for them but also for those who will believe in me Because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind--Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. The same glory you gave me, I gave them, so they'll be as unified and together as we are—I in them and you in me.
Then they'll be mature in this oneness, and give the godless world evidence that you've sent me and loved them in the same way you've loved me.”
It really is true that division = confusion, and we know that confusion leads to Spiritual inactivity. This is what happens when we are divided and not moving and living in unity as the body of Christ, the world continues to look on in confusion.
Will you pray with me for the unity of our Community? Will you pray with me that in the midst of our diversity we will claim unity? Will you continue to place Christ in the center of your MCH and in the center of Axis?
Also I want you to consider how you are bringing about dis-unity, whether in small ways or big ways? Will you surrender this? Will you realize and accept that it’s not about you, but about something much bigger? I have to do this weekly by the way!
Let’s chat and acknowledge that in deed the world is watching!
Jon
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Is anyone asking?
Often within the Axis Community we share our faith stories with one another, and at times have one of you share your story at the monthly axis experience. So what is the point of this whole story thing anyway, why is this important? What is so important about Story that I would take time to blog about it, and hope that you would waste some of your precious working hours to stop and read this post?
When it comes to Story, the reality is it awakens the human heart like no other form of communication can. For centuries and centuries humankind has been fascinated with story, from ancient history to modern day story has stood the test of time as the primary and most powerful form of communication. It’s as if we were designed at the very core of our being to respond to story. Recently my buddy Arrendim and I, who lives a few doors down from me had an amazing conversation about this. Arrendim or “big A” as I call him kicked it out on his patio in the cold for a few hours reflecting on stories that have shaped our life and world view. He shared of story from his Hindu faith and provided opportunity for me to share story from my Christian faith, it was a conversation I’ll remember for quite a while. At the end of our time we didn’t really come to a conclusion of why story has so much power in our life, but to a question. That being why? Why is story so powerful? An article I recently read by Tom Atlee stated that:
“story is the reality that every person, every being, every thing has a story and contains stories—and in fact, is a story—and that all of these stories interconnect, that we are in fact, surrounded by stories, embedded in stories and made of stories.”
Poet Murial Ruckiser once said “the universe is made of stories not atoms.”
Story is and will continue to be the most powerful form of communication because we were hardwired for story, our beings, our very souls were designed to react and respond to story, and when we listen and engage in a story something resonates deep within us, and our wiring whether we consciously know it or not realizes that we are invited into a epic story, “The Story.” This is probably why Jesus taught the way he did, through stories because he knew better then anyone who has ever walked the planet of how to connect to the human heart, how to awaken the human soul.
So what’s your point Jon? Good question! A critical verse found in 1 Peter has been on my heart over the last month. Many of you have prayed for me and my family in the loss of my cousin. My family has been really struggling with this and the wake and funeral were really tough to embrace. As I looked at the man that taught me how to fish, how to hunt, and how to ride 4 wheelers, I thought to myself how young he was to be lying there in a casket and how I wish I could have had some more time with him. I thought of the brevity of life, and how fragile it really is which lead me once again to the beauty of God’s love. I began to think of what I can give people, and came to the conclusion once again that the ultimate gift I can offer another person is the gift of eternal life and purpose here on Earth through trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. My passion for loving those who are outside the family of God has increased to a level like never before, largely due to loosing my cousin.
1 Peter 3:15 states “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”.
This verse has been burning in my heart for myself and for you my community.
As I read this verse I’m inspired and challenged with two questions:
1. Is anyone asking?
2. What’s the best way to respond?
So how about you, is anyone asking? Are there people in your life that are hard bent on finding out how the heck you have hope in the realities and uncertainties of life? If not why not? Secondly what’s the best way to respond? We see that we’re supposed to do this with gentleness and respect but that’s descriptive, not necessarily prescriptive.
I’d like to challenge you and suggest that you tap into the most gripping and compelling medium known to humanity; that being story. You have a story to tell, one that is true, one that brings fame to God, one that compels others to think, one that is worth telling!
Let’s Chat.
Blessings.
Jon Peacock
When it comes to Story, the reality is it awakens the human heart like no other form of communication can. For centuries and centuries humankind has been fascinated with story, from ancient history to modern day story has stood the test of time as the primary and most powerful form of communication. It’s as if we were designed at the very core of our being to respond to story. Recently my buddy Arrendim and I, who lives a few doors down from me had an amazing conversation about this. Arrendim or “big A” as I call him kicked it out on his patio in the cold for a few hours reflecting on stories that have shaped our life and world view. He shared of story from his Hindu faith and provided opportunity for me to share story from my Christian faith, it was a conversation I’ll remember for quite a while. At the end of our time we didn’t really come to a conclusion of why story has so much power in our life, but to a question. That being why? Why is story so powerful? An article I recently read by Tom Atlee stated that:
“story is the reality that every person, every being, every thing has a story and contains stories—and in fact, is a story—and that all of these stories interconnect, that we are in fact, surrounded by stories, embedded in stories and made of stories.”
Poet Murial Ruckiser once said “the universe is made of stories not atoms.”
Story is and will continue to be the most powerful form of communication because we were hardwired for story, our beings, our very souls were designed to react and respond to story, and when we listen and engage in a story something resonates deep within us, and our wiring whether we consciously know it or not realizes that we are invited into a epic story, “The Story.” This is probably why Jesus taught the way he did, through stories because he knew better then anyone who has ever walked the planet of how to connect to the human heart, how to awaken the human soul.
So what’s your point Jon? Good question! A critical verse found in 1 Peter has been on my heart over the last month. Many of you have prayed for me and my family in the loss of my cousin. My family has been really struggling with this and the wake and funeral were really tough to embrace. As I looked at the man that taught me how to fish, how to hunt, and how to ride 4 wheelers, I thought to myself how young he was to be lying there in a casket and how I wish I could have had some more time with him. I thought of the brevity of life, and how fragile it really is which lead me once again to the beauty of God’s love. I began to think of what I can give people, and came to the conclusion once again that the ultimate gift I can offer another person is the gift of eternal life and purpose here on Earth through trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. My passion for loving those who are outside the family of God has increased to a level like never before, largely due to loosing my cousin.
1 Peter 3:15 states “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”.
This verse has been burning in my heart for myself and for you my community.
As I read this verse I’m inspired and challenged with two questions:
1. Is anyone asking?
2. What’s the best way to respond?
So how about you, is anyone asking? Are there people in your life that are hard bent on finding out how the heck you have hope in the realities and uncertainties of life? If not why not? Secondly what’s the best way to respond? We see that we’re supposed to do this with gentleness and respect but that’s descriptive, not necessarily prescriptive.
I’d like to challenge you and suggest that you tap into the most gripping and compelling medium known to humanity; that being story. You have a story to tell, one that is true, one that brings fame to God, one that compels others to think, one that is worth telling!
Let’s Chat.
Blessings.
Jon Peacock
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