Climb A tree

I've been reading Luke 19:1-10 this week and I was struck by a phrase in the text. It is in verse 4 and it tells us that Zacchaeus (the tiny tax dude!) was 'seeking for Jesus' but that he could not see him becuase of the crowd. That really got my brain spinning round!

Firstly, are we actually seeking Jesus - you don't usually find what you're not looking for!

Secondly, what are the crowds in our lives? Is work our 'crowd' - too busy for Jesus? Is blogging our crowd - too busy with our thoughts for Jesus' words. Is myspace our crowd - too busy connecting with friends to connect with the Son of God who is the friend of sinners.

Thirdly, what will we do to escape the crowds and start searching seriously for Jesus? Zacchaeus actually climbed a tree!! The Message translation tells us he was 'desperate to see Jesus' - I believe he was! Are we willing to do whatever it takes to connect with Jesus.

He's always passing by, seeking for us (v10) - let's desperately seek after him.

Who am I?

After 33 years you would think that I know the answer. The truth is we can only know who we are in the same measure as we know who God is. I've been greatly encouraged today with the truth that God is my heavenly Father - I know it's a simple truth, but sometimes the simple things are hardest to get hold of.

This ties in with the truth that "I am his beloved son, in whom he is well pleased". I am God's kid and his love is perfect even though I am not. Let that sink in about you:

You are God's kid and he loves you perfectly even though you are not perfect!!

That's amazing grace!

I've been listening to a band called "Casting Crowns" - I'll leave you with words from one of their songs.

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Rockin' or Radical? You decide!

Reading 'the good samaritan' last week I was struck by the contrast between the 'religious' ones and the samaritan. a lady I know shared with me her opinion that much of the Church has a 'rocking chair mentality'. I began thinking about this, and on Sunday was privlidged enough to preach on it. the following is the bare bones of that talk.

Rocking chair christians SIT in the comfort of their pew expecting everyone else to get on with helping others.

Radical Christians SERVE where they are and GO out to those that need help.

Rocking Chair christians are SELFISH - they consume rather than serve. they aren't concerned with the needs of others. they don't love others - they just love to rock gently!

Radical Christians SACRIFICE everything to love God and others - the samaritan gave his wine, oil, time, donkey, money and reputation to help the wounded man! He dropped his own agenda to help the needy!

Rocking Chair christians are SOUL-LESS - they don't care about others enough to get out of their chair let alone their religious bubble.

Radical Christians see the need for SALVATION and will seek and save the lost whatever the cost. The samaritan saved the life of the wounded man.

Rocking Chair christians SEE God's words and seek to justify themselves like the religious scholar.

Radical Christians SUBMIT to God's word and let it mould them in Christlikeness.

Rocking or radical - where do you see yourself right now?

Stop rocking and start walking - what did Jesus tell us to do at the end of the samaritan story? He said, "Now you go and do the same".

Let's go.

(for a more accurate telling of the Samaritan story read Luke 10:25-37 (the Bible)