Climb Higher Go Farther - Columbia Life Church

Bold Declaration #1: Called to Seek, Touch, Invite

2009-10-06T13:57:00.000-07:00

Ezekiel 34:11 ‘For thus says the Lord GOD: "Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.

Luke 19:10 "for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." (italics added)

These two verses give us a powerful look into heart of God. In fact if you read the gospels it becomes clear by the stories that are used to describe Jesus that finding lost people is an obsession with God. Luke 15 provides us with three stories that show God's intense passion for seeking the ones who have wandered away from Him.

Since that's God's passion shouldn't it be ours as well? As God's called out people we have been found because He never gave up searching for us. His passion was revealed in His personal mission to find you, touch you, and invite you back into relationship with Him.

But are we passionate about seeking the people who God misses most, His wandering children? Are we passionate about touching them with the love of Jesus? Are we passionate about inviting them to follow us home to the Father?

Are we passionate enough to look in places that others overlook because it doesn't match the right demographic or is a little too far out of the cultural comfort zone? Are we willing to seek, touch and invite people who, even though they don't want to be found, are being sought by the Father?

This raises a question that's difficult but important: where should we be looking? What are the overlooked places in our community? I'm not sure because like most people I've overlooked them myself. But I know someone who knows! The Father knows and He's just waiting for us to ask Him where they are. When I ask a question comes back to my heart: "Where are there people who are lonely and longing for personal time and companionship? Look for these and you'll find those I'm seeking."

God has challenged us to go, to seek, to touch and to invite His lost ones. What will we do?

Two Bold Declarations

2009-07-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

Declarations are dangerous things. Take for example the Declaration of Independence. When the founding fathers of the United States signed their names to this document they were doing more that just putting pen to paper, they were commiting themselves to a cause that would require sacrifice and possibly even death. While they looked upon this document as their stated objective to live free, those to whom in was addressed saw it as an act of high treason. Signing the Declaration of Independence meant that there was no turning back.

As a church family we have made two bold declarations from which there is no turning back. To see them come to pass will require commitment and sacrifice to a cause that is born in the heart of God.

The first declaration can be summed us in three words: Seek, Touch, Invite.

We have been called together to seek out overlooked people and places offering the compassionate touch of Jesus and inviting people to go with us on our journey of discovery, restoration, and healing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The second declaration is that within one year we will have 8 families sharing Jesus with reckless compassion in overlooked places of our comminity.

Now to some reading this these might not seem to be very bold at all. But rest assured if our church family will truly make these two declarations their own we will see that they are bold indeed....

In what ways can you make these declarations your own?

Share your thoughts below....

Where We're Going

2009-07-07T13:40:00.000-07:00

One of the challenges a church family faces is how to know if we're making progress toward what God has challenged us to be and do. But because we're so accustomed to thinking of our walk with Jesus as an individual pursuit we often overlook, or even ignore the fact that when we enter into relationship with Jesus we enter into relationship with His other followers. What that means for us is that our walk with Jesus is no longer only about us and where we want to go, but rather about us together and where Jesus wants us to go together.

This may seem like a strange thing to say considering our cultural ideals of independence and isolation, but those two ideals go against the current of what Jesus desires. It's clear from scripture that He asks us to enter into a dependent relationship with Him and with other believers.

Having said that when we are asked to describe how were doing in following Jesus we look at that questions as an individual instead of as a part of the ekklesia (assembly of believers) that God has called us to be dependent upon. Consider the letters to the seven churches in The Revelation. The diagnosis of each church was based on the church together not individuals. He didn't call out "Joseph of Laodicea" as being lukewarm, He called out the church together. That seems to indicate that the church isn't measured on merits of one or two but rather on the faithfulness of the whole to the specific calling that each church has received.

What that means for the church family at CLC is this: We are called to share Jesus with reckless compassion. That being the case we better be aware of whether or not we're being faithful. One of the ways we'll know is by determining how many of our families are stepping out of their comfort zones and recklessly serving others in our community.

Know where we're going as a church family is important if we're going to be faithful to the calling that Jesus has given us. To help us understand it we'll look at two bold declarations in the next two weeks.

Share you comments and thoughts below....

Reckless Compassion 2

2009-06-27T19:25:00.000-07:00

Reckless compassion is something that causes us to evaulate our priorities. We can't say we're compassionate if we find ourselves constantly finding excuses for not touching hurting, lonely people. Let's face it there are always reasons for not doing things, but reckless compassion doesn't really allow us to make excuses for not doing something, rather it challenges us to make excuses to find ways to serve others.

So what will we do?

Post your comments below......

Reckless Compassion

2009-06-18T14:01:00.000-07:00

Sharing Jesus with reckless compassion is our one reckless ambition as a church. Of course the idea of being reckless might surprise some and raise a few eyebrows, but when you think about it the whole idea of following Jesus seems a little reckless to those who don't understand. Just look at some of the ways Jesus described the idea of following Him. He said that we have to lay down our lives, take up our cross and follow Him. Not exactly as safe sounding propostion. Think about what the disciple's families thought when they took off with this new 'messiah' and left them alone for long stretches of time. It probably seemed pretty reckless.

So with that in mind sharing Jesus with reckless compassion means that we're willing to do some things that others might assume are reckless. In fact when we leave our comfort zones to serve others with the love and compassion of Jesus we might think we're bing a bit reckless ourselves. But when it all come together the idea of reckless compassion is all about leaving the false security of routines and rituals in order to touch hurting people who need to experience the compassion of Jesus.

In the C. S. Lewis classic "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" Lucy asks Mr. Beaver if Aslan the lion is safe and Mr. Beaver answers "Safe?' said Mr. Beaver...'Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. but he's good."

Maybe Mr. Beaver is onto something.

What act of reckless compassion is Jesus prompting you to do? Share your thoughts below.....

The Yearning

2009-06-05T11:59:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when we find ourselves struggling in the journey of going farther in compassionate service we find ourselves yearning to climb higher to the mountain top of authentic worship. The mountain tops symbolize the refreshing presence of God and the freedom to rest and commune with God. But we can never forget that in the valley of service Jesus has provided us with springs of living water to refresh and rejuvenate us in those difficult times of struggle and toil.

If you're in the valley find the spring and drink deeply and find rest for you soul....

Where do you find the springs of living water on your journey? Share your thoughts below.....

Life in the Valley

2009-05-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

To go farther in compassionate service means that we will have to intentionally spend more time with people who hurting and in places that are difficult. In fact we can be sure that we will also endure some loss and pain as well. Go farther has a kind of 'adventurous' sound to it but soon enough we discover that there are challenges, threats, and dangers awaiting us. Consider the great explorers like Columbus or even the U.S. space program all accomplished amazing things, and they also suffered major set backs and painful defeats. Yet through it all their focus remained fixed on the prize and because of that they persevered and discovered new worlds.

Go farther requires us to stay focused on the commission that Jesus has given to us to go into all the world... that world begins right outside our front door and we enter it when we make intentional steps to engage and encounter those who are hurting.

What's an intentional way that you go farther in compassionate service?

Share your thoughts below.....

Both And, Not Either Or

2009-05-22T11:37:00.000-07:00

When we consider the need to climb higher in aunthetic worship and go farther in compassionate service we have to remember that both are necessary for us.

The mountains are places where we can survey the horizon and get proper perspective. It's in these intimate moments with God that we can experience true inner healing and restoration. But what you notice is that nothing grows on a mountain top. We can't live on the mountain top, even Moses and Elijah eventually had to descend into the valley. But what they gained on the mountain top was the strength they needed to live and serve in the valley. While the mountains are barren they do gather snow and when the snows melt they provide water to the valleys. The mountains also serve to create climates that support life and growth. The winds and the rains are affected by the mountains.

In the valleys we experience growth. Its there that the sun, soil, water, and toil all come together to bear fruit. While the valleys are hot and difficult they are also the places where we enjoy the fruit of our labors. We see in the harvests how God has been at work through our efforts bring life out of the death and seeing our lives enriched. We often resist the valleys because the represent change and work, but when we descend from the mountain top with a heart strengthened by our encounter with God we can see real growth and power in our service to others.

Share some of your recollections of personal mountain top experiences and seasons of valley growth below......

Going Farther in Compassionate Service

2009-05-15T11:48:00.001-07:00

When Jesus called His followers together on the mount of ascension it was loaded with meaning. As I mentioned in my previous post to this blog the mountain top has a spiritual connection that crosses cultural lines. In the Bible God often calls His people to the mountain in preparation for sending them to 'go out' on assignment (Abraham, Moses, and Elijah come to mind) which creates the natural/spiritual connection between climbing higher in authentic worship and going farther in compassionate service.

As followers of Christ it's always tempting to try and dwell in the 'mountain top' experiences of our walk with Jesus. Those times of incredible intimacy with our Creator and Lord are truly inspiring and energizing. But, while we walk this earth our times of worship and intimacy are the fuel for our seasons of compassionate service.
We're reminded of this in Acts 1:8 when Jesus tells His disciples - my paraphrase - "You will receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon you (climbing higher) and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the world(going farther)."

What are some ways that you can prepare your heart to transition from times of authentic worship to seasons of compassionate service to others?

Share your thoughts below.......

Climbing Higher in Authentic Worship

2009-05-06T12:05:00.000-07:00

Then the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. Exodus 19:20

Then the servants of the king of Syria said to him, "Their gods are gods of the hills. Therefore they were stronger than we.... 1Kings 20:23a

These two passages reveal an interesting concept. Somewhere deep within us there is a recognition that we look up when we look for God. Even though we know that God is omnipresent (present everywhere) we still have this innate sense that God is above us.

God called Abraham and Moses to meet with Him on a mountain. Jesus called His disciples to Himself on a mountain. Jesus was crucified on a mountain and ascended to heaven from a mountain. All of this to say that there is significance to the idea of climbing higher in authentic worship. We don't have to climb a mountain literally, but it does suggest that there are obstacles and challenges that we have to overcome in order to climb higher.

Some common obstacles are everyday distractions that crop up and steal our time and focus. But one major obstacle that stands in everyone's path is authenticity which means to act in good faith and sincerity of intention. Authenticity in worship means that we approach God with an open heart and open ears allowing Him access to our deepest inner being.

That sound easier than it actually is and I believe the primary reason we so often miss out on this incredible depth of relationship with God is because authenticity takes time. I know I'm guilty of trying to develop and deep and intimate relationship with God in my spare time as I wander through life from day to day.

Authenticity in worship requires an intentional mindset that set aside time for God to examine my heart and address the things He finds there.

Authenticity in worship requires me to often pass through some discomfort as God tests my motivations and desires.

Authenticity in worship requires that I get to the point where I allow God to shape and form my heart to beat in rhythm with His.

Authenticity in worship requires me to ............... (you fill in the blank)

Climbing Higher,

Pastor Jerry

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Climb Higher. Go Farther

2009-05-04T14:29:00.000-07:00

Climb Higher. Go Farther.

This is the theme for the Columbia Life Church community. It is my desire and hope that we will embrace not the small, hopefully, 'catchy' phrase but the larger passion that it represents.

Climb higher. Go farther. isn't doing more or becoming more self aware it's about allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us into a fresh encounter with God that will ignite a passionate response within each of us to climb higher in authentic worship and go farther in compassioante service.

When we climb higher in authentic worship we open ourselves to the all of the possibilities that God has planned for us. Far to often we approach worship with a mind toward what's in it for oursleves. We come to God in worship wanting to feel closer to Him or to gain something from the encounter. Yet authentic worship reaches far beyond self absorbed 'me-ism' to a heart that cries out to God because HE is worthy. When we strip away all of our preconditions and allow ourselves to worship God not for what we hope to gain but out of a pure desire to exalt His name, we become the worshipers that God seeks, those who worship Him in Spirit and truth.

When we go farther in compassionate service we are opening ourselves to the suffering of others the way that Jesus did. While its true that we can't meet the needs of every hurting soul, God doesn't expect us to. His desire is that we'll go into the world as His representatives, His called out ones, who become His hands extended and when we go in His name then His power is provided, His resources are unlocked, and His Name is exalted. We decrease so that He can increase and be seen by those we serve.

Climb Higher. Go Farther. It's not about us, it's about Him. It's not something we create it's a call we answer. God is calling out to us will we follow?

Climbing Higher. Going Farther.

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