Urban Gathering

Today

It seems like it has been a little bit since I felt that I had the wherewithal to put my scattered thoughts down in written form. With the onset of the holidays, the finalization of my divorce and just the business of life and my four amazing kids, I have been somewhat retreated from the online life, sometimes going days without using my computer except for work necessities.

My son and I were having a conversation yesterday and he replied “Life is hard!” Smiling, I looked at him and said “I know”. He then go this look and said, “I know you do dad”. That was all that was said, but as a father, it was one of those moments that you realize something clicked and you connected with your child. You mentally celebrate a moment of maturity you just witnessed in your child. TBut then your heart also breaks for the realization of knowing what your child has experienced over the past couple of years.

This morning, as I sat with coffee in one hand and a close friend across the table, at Starbucks, we were talking about my childhood and my heart broke as the deep sense of just wanting to talk with my Dad about life. To get his perspective. My mom left when I was young and my Dad retained custody of my brother and I and with the help of my grandparents navigated much the same waters I feel lost in today. We never really talked about it while he was alive, and maybe I never knew to appreciate it, but I do today. He did well. He kept it together and eventually married a wonderful woman, my stepmother, who loved and raised me as her own child!

So now your saying “yea, your thoughts are scattered!” And would reply yes and no. You see, over the years I have often viewed God, or personified Him much in perspective of my own father . . unconditional love, giving, sacrificing and yet also so perspective of my own relationship with my children . . the disciplinarian, the guide, instructor, helper, teacher. God. My strength, source and refuge for life. No, not a crutch, but a very present help when I find myself in need. He is my father. My provider. My healer. My teacher.

Psalm 54:4 Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

Romans 8:31-39
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Give Thanks

Turkey, potatoes, beans and gravy
Delicously driving the taste buds crazy
Cakes, pies, and sweet treats
Lots of delicous eats
Eating too much thats so true,
how about you?

This is a time to celebrate and say Thank You
To God, freinds and family for all they do

Thank You everyone!

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Struggles in Church – Leadership Disagreements!

Conflict! Some people love it, others hate it. Some it energizes and others it drains. I often laugh in church as leaders will present the early church as a single unified body and present to us that we are inherently off when we have conflict in the church. I personally believe that to be a herectical statement! There was conflict in the early church, however their was also unity. How can that be you ask? Purpose. Thats how.

As you read through the New Testament you will see how the early Judeo Christianity transformed into the Pauline Christianity, one faith that was a deviation of Judiasm to the faith that brought salvation to all men, both Jew and Gentile. That transition and struggle was not easy as you read you will see how those early church leaders struggled even when God gave them visions on moving out!

It is very clear, that church leadership did not always agree on direction. Sometimes their were even conflicts between leaders. The story that I have found myself fixated on this week is the struggle between Paul and Barnabas. Here were two great leaders of the early church. Men who were known for their faith and following.
Barnabas, was a nick name given to a man named Joseph. He was as the Bible puts it, a man of encouragement, so much so that everyone called him “The Encourager” or Barnabas! Baranabas is first introduced to us as one who sold his field and brought the money to the church to help those in need. Barnabas was one of the first to welcome Paul after his converstion and even opened the doors for him to the church brothers in Jerusalem. For several years their labored together in spreading the Gospel, but one day they had a disagreement, one that caused them to literally go seperate ways.

Now I have heard this tale concluded in several ways, some saying Paul was wrong and others that Barnabas was wrong. However I think they were both right! Yes, church leaders can be going in diffent directions and still both be right. I think it is a very persumptive thing for us to hold to the thought that only one could be right. God is greater than that. The key is how these leaders conducted themselves amidst this disgreement.

Barnabas had a young man that had accompanied he and Paul on several endeavors, John Mark. At one point, John Mark leaves Paul and Barnabas, or literally quits the mission. Later when Baranabas wants to bring him on another endeavor, Paul says no. Barnabas says yes, their is more to the man than you have have experienced. Paul says no, the work is too important to have a quitter. They stay at odds on the issue and ultimately Barnabas takes John Mark and goes one way and Paul takes Silas and heads another.

Talk about a leadership disagreement.

So what happened? Both groups went forth and spread the Gospel, saw conversion and experienced the move of God. What? How can that be? They were in disagreement? Yea, I know, God is funny that way.

What I even love more is that Paul later writes from prision and says that John Mark is their with him, and that if he should come, the church should recieve John Mark. Talk about restoration and leadership.

I love how God works. Have struggles with your leadership? Dont give up. Feel the need to go a seperate direction? Sometimes you need to! Can God be in it? Yes, absolutely.

Your takeaways:
God does not lead everyone down the same road!
God loves us all.
We need encouragement and the voice of encouragement!
Even when we quit, their is hope to get back in!
Its ok to disagree with each other sometims!

God Bless.

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