Pastor of Fishing

Comparing Jeebus and Jesus is something that truly captures what I believe has happened in my own life.  I think of growing up and it was always that I made Jesus out to be how I wanted him, not how He WAS.  We see the opening chapter about the pressing the questions of how our perception of Christ is.  A quote such as, “Jesus is the key not only because Christian discipleship is about becoming more like Jesus but also because it is only in and through Jesus that we can get the proper, truly Christ-ian understanding of God.”  Is like having somebody flick you between the eyes.  How many of us started to follow Christ but truly didn’t take time to know the true Christ?  The various ways people want to depict and view Jesus from an image versus the actual image that  He was.

Putting Christ at the center of our actions and our life becomes a very tough picture to paint for myself.  I say this because so many times in my own life I have tamed Jesus.  Let Him be less than He was.  Many times it seems that I have done things in the “name of Christ” but truly was not Christ like acts.  It begins to really mess with my head as I think more and more about my past and how my concept of Christ was definitely shaped a bit differently.

The section on becoming what we worship truly stood out to me regarding how we view Jesus.  Are we looking to live like Jesus did?  Do we have a disconnect between God and Jesus?  Do we not look at Jesus as the portal to God?  I think at times it’s safe for us to have a distance from God, makes it more like and us and Him versus one big US.

This chapter begs for us to begin asking and searching for the deeper meaning of what it was that Christ was doing?  His holiness was something that truly attracted sinners.  The questions Hirsch pose are ones that I am wrestling with as a pastor right now.  “What is it about the holiness of Jesus that caused “sinners” to flock to him like a magnet yet managed to seriously antagonize the religious people?”  and then he continues with: “Why does our more church form of holiness seem to get it the other way around – to comfort the religious and antagonize the sinners? “  Jesus had a brand of holiness that is the true form.  It didn’t deter the sinners from wanting to get up close and personal with him, it was something that I believe is the model of true-authentic life.

As a church leader or one that is in the church it makes me start to wonder how to live out this concept of holiness that is attractive.  Living an authentic free life in Christ begs to ask this question.  I see continually in people’s lives that the drama and the pain that they consistently deal with is stemming from their lack of living a holy life.  All the pains of relationships and dealing with one another is a direct result of the fall of man.  With this craziness then we need to truly step back as followers and beg to ask the question of ourselves…”Is my brand of holiness attracting sinners and antagonizing the religious?”

I am talking about a subtle love that continually portrays how beautiful Christ is to others.  The love that brought us to our knees and to love those around us…

Please leave your reflections of the chapter or thoughts on the writing…

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Tags: Alan Hirsch, American Church, christ-like, christian, pastor, Untamed
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Most of you know me already as a big anti-fear guy.  I am finding that the majority of the reasons things are not done by a church or an individual is the fear of the what-ifs.  This fear can be formed out of a variety of things.  As stated in the book, fear is normal…but is it a pattern that God wants from us when we read Scriptures?

This is something that is tough for me as I look to those around me.  I hate even when I don’t do something because I am a wuss and am afraid.  This chapter though focussed alot on are you ready to be open to the Spirit?  Are we ready to let our guard down?  Can we open our hearts to the Spirit and what He has for us?

Recently in my own walk I have been trying to be more obiedient not so much in the “rules” of the bible but more in how the Holy Spirit is teaching me.  Things from being more organized to setting down foundational spiritual disciplines…all of these are keys to a fuller life with Christ.  So what makes us afraid to tread into the deeper waters? 

Chan has a header that questions,  “What if God doesn’t come through?”.  I think many times this can be us or the concept that nothing happens so now what?  Fear of praying boldy is a difficult journey at times.  As Chan continues to write I notice he goes after our own compensation for the lack of answer from him. 

There is alot in this chapter…so I want to hear from all of you on what it is that you are afraid of?  What slows you down with the Spirit?

“Fear is faithless and Faith is fearless!” – Roth

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Tags: American Church, christ-like, christian, fear, fearless, Forgotten God, Frances Chan, God, life, theology
Posted in Forgotten God, God, Holy Spirit, blog, church, life | 3 Comments »

Looking over the concept of Jesus as an exile is something that rings true with my spirit. In today’s society the sense of being an ambassador of the Kingdom is very relevant in how I view my reason for existence. Jesus came into this world as a man. A man that had to deal with all the temptations and woes that we face here on the earth. He experienced the ups and downs of life. He knows pain and can relate. He also can heal the pain.

Jesus did not fit the mold. Instead He created a new mold. A new bold way to live. A way that counteracts the negatives of the culture and creates something positive…love. He has us now creating relationships with those in our society. I live in Rome(United States) where my way of thinking and life is counter cultural. I am an exile within my town, yet I have authority with many and respect of those around me because of…love.

In the end we need to look at the beauty of the exile. It is the ability to live outside the box. Outside of the cultural norms that creates a method of life that is foreign yet desirable. Living in the freedom of a child that creates the ability to change the environment around us. Out of the chaos comes creation. We see that as an exile we live by a different standard than our empire. One that allows us to have a destiny with our Father. To experience a love and grace that is not subjective to cultural norms. It is a standard that is…love.

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Tags: ambassador, christ-like, christian, exile
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