Christians and missions

I was thinking about "people groups" in the world, what's dear to them, and why they do or do not want to share what they have.

As I thought about it, genuine Christians seem to be an odd bunch. Go figure. Believers who hold that missions are important and who try to share the Gospel and be intentional about spreading the love of Jesus to others, do so for the benefit of those others.

There aren't many groups in the world with that sort of mentality. Now, I realize, I have to qualify this post quite carefully. The "Christians" I'm referring to are those that hold that missions are an inherent part of their walk with Jesus. And no, this doesn't mean going to a foreign land. There's all sorts of mission opporunities right here at home. Next door. It's not up to me to qualify who is a real Christian and who isn't. However, in reading Scripture, I am of the opinion that it's really hard NOT to care about missions if you are someone who genuinely desires to seek and pursue Christ.

There are certainly "Christians" who are in it for personal gain, and who seek their own benefit by using missions as a means to their own selfish goals and desires for comforts. But please keep in mind, when I refer to Christians from here on out in this post, I am meaning it to mean those who think missions as a means for sharing Christ's love and the knowledge of His grace.

And so...Do the rich people of the world try to share their secrets of being wealthy with numerous others, so those that lack wealth can become like the rich ones? (no, that doesn't happen, wealthy people don't want competition that would endanger their wealth)

Do the American citizens of the world go around trying to share the greatness of America and offer citizenship to non-Americans because, "hey, America is so great!" (no, this doesn't happen either. Americans share American values sometimes to show off, brag, or because their ignorant sometimes, but hardly do many Americans voluntary about inviting or offering citizenship to others)

Do the professional athletes of the world go out to foreign countries to share their highly valuable skills with other players so that they too can become really good? (no, this doesn't happen, athletes are busy working on their own skills to have time to share them with others)

I could go on with more examples, but hopefully my point is starting to become clear. There are many people groups out there, joined together by some sort of common denominator, but few of these groups have a desire to share what's at their core in a way that they're primarily seeking the benefit and good of others.

With different people groups, there is a natural built in hindrance to sharing what each of these people groups holds so dear. It might be competition or fear or unintended negligence, but many "people groups" of the world don't go around sharing the core of what they care about deeply and what their lives revolve around.

So why do Christians do it? Is there something different about the core of them, what makes them tick, that they feel they have to go and share with others?

Well, part of the reason is Jesus wanted them to. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:19 NIV)

I think the other reasons Christians care about sharing the Gospel through missions so much is that they get a sense that the size of Christ's love is way too big for any one individual to handle. It has to be shared with others! It is so wide and high and deep and everlasting, more people gotta know about this Jesus!! It's too incredible to believe!! But it's true!!

I gotta run out and share this with the people I know, and the people I don't know!

May we as broken vessels and genuine seekers and followers of Christ be impassioned by the Holy Spirit with a desire to share Christ's love to all nations and peoples...

vulnerability leads to intimacy

I think most people would agree that intimacy is a great thing. Intimacy in relationships that is, above all things, pure and uncorrupted is a deep desire of hearts.

Most of all, our hearts want to be most intimate with Jesus. I believe all hearts are like this. They were created that way. It's only natural for them to be inclined to gravitate towards their founder, and best lover, Jesus.

I think it's just that some hearts have recognized this fact and have responded, either deciding to accept and pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus, and some have responded negatively...for selfish reasons, or possibly haven't responded yet because the enemy has blocked or constrained the joy and pure vision of Jesus from some hearts.

Whatever the case may be, I want to make the point that I think vulnerability leads to intimacy. **Let me caution that by immediately saying that vulnerability is risky too, and can lead to severe pain and hurt, when vulnerability is taken advantage of or abused.

Maybe a more clear expression is that vulnerability when led by the Holy Spirit leads to intimacy, which again, I'm pretty sure most people, deep down, are going to recognize is a great thing.

Think about instances where vulnerability occurs. When someone gets up to share their real and honest testimony, to share different joys and pains, they are opening a wider window into their hearts. They are being vulnerable in many ways, and it's not often easy to share a personal testimony. Yet, I can think of numerous examples where I have benefited greatly from a brother or sister sharing a testimony. I also certainly observe that the gathered body of believers who experiences that testimony seems to genuinely increase the closeness or togetherness of their relationships to each other. The body of believers becomes more intimate when Spirit led vulnerability takes place.

I also think of an example of a guy and a girl going down towards the road of marriage. That process certainly involves vulnerability, and something so intense and important as a process leading towards the holy covenant of marriage I'm thinking definitely is going to have a lot of the Holy Spirit involved. In terms of human relationships, I can't think of anything more intimate than a husband and wife. The intimacy doesn't just happen--it's something that grows after genuine vulnerability happens in each person (whether they like it or not).

Saving the best for last...the greatest instance of where I think vulnerability leads to intimacy was where I started this post. This verse also reminds us to follow the example (of being vulnerable).
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11 NIV)

Jesus, finding himself in the glory of Heaven, in the security of sitting next to God the Father...desired to be more intimate with the hearts of those He had so lovingly created...hearts that had fallen away and been led adrift by sin. Our greatest example of pure vulnerability led by the Spirit was Jesus himself. If the picture of a man beaten and bloody, half-naked, with arms wide open nailed to a cross can't serve as a textbook definition of vulnerability, then nothing can.

And Jesus' gift of salvation to an individual heart, if that is not THE definition of what intimacy really is, then intimacy should be struck from being allowed to be a word.

And so...I think it's true. Vulnerability leads to intimacy. Especially when the Holy Spirit has a heavy hand in the vulnerability part.

sharing Jesus in your hometown

"When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. "Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor." And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith." Matthew 13:53-58

First of all, let me be very clear. I'm not a prophet.

I do identify with Jesus in this passage however. It's a great irony. The people I should be most familiar with (family and some friends from home) and have spent the majority of my life with, I feel they are the hardest ones with whom to share Jesus and the significance of who Christ is. I can't really figure out why, but I think this passage speaks some to that.

With these closer life relationships, deeply ingrained habits and expectations exist on both sides of the relationship. Any sort of major change or concept breaking previously held notions and ways of doing things don't seem make many inroads. I find it hard finding the words, how to start a conversation, what to do...something so that Christ can be initiated or thought about in the relationship. Likewise, when I am able to try and start conversations, there is not a whole lot of patience for listening to what's being said on the receiving end of things. There seems to be resistance to listening to this "other" life in Christ.

I know it's not up to me and it's completely going to be the Holy Spirit working through these family members and friends if anything it to happen. I think I share Jesus' feelings of frustration and sadness when it comes to people you've grown up with and been around for so long.

rethinking the "tithe"

I just finished a book that looked at American Christian giving through a sociological lens.

It was interesting. Americans are not very generous. 2.5% I think is the average giving across the board, somewhere around there. And the numbers are actually skewed, because a small minority of Christians give a lot that has an effect to bumb up the average. So basically, the average American Christian is really stingy in their giving, around the 1% of total income level.

Well, why?

I'll let you read the book to explore the possibles they brought up, I think some great points were made and discussed, and some I didn't agree with. But the fact remains. The idea of the "tithe" as we now have it is not working.

So it got me thinking. This might be a radically bold suggestion, but why don't we change the entire mentality of what "tithe" implies for an American Christian. Forget 10%. In fact, I don't think there's a direct Biblical basis for 10% giving. That's something that comes out of Deuteronomy and Leviticus, and the people involved actually ended up giving more than 10% of their possessions/money in a year's time. So, why not get rid of this somewhat off-base Scriptural mentality that is clearly not working.

Jesus' view and affirmation on tithing is different:
"As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." (Luke 21:1-4)

Nothing of 10% is mentioned or alluded to. Jesus affirms something beyond any set amount, and in fact, I think is affirming much more than just the monetary issue at hand. Jesus is emphasizing (through his affirmation) that we should be giving to where it makes us uncomfortable, at least in the wordly sense of the world. This woman was a widow. She didn't have the means and recourses to go out and get a job, nor a long time horizon to put her two coins in a 401k and watch her nest egg grow. I think she was able to, and did give because this widow knew her God was and was assured that He is Great Provider.

So in light of this, and other teachings throughout Jesus' ministry, we in fact should be giving a very large portion of ourselves and our finances. Which would add up to a lot more than 10%. Jesus gave all of Himself up for us, and we barely give more than 2.5% of our money!!, and money is only one aspect of our entire person!! don't forget our time, our relationships, our intelligence, our.....

So maybe the American church should start teaching something else. Who knows, maybe something like a "reverse" budget. You don't make a budget based on how much you earn, you figure out how much you need to fulfill basic living expenses in line with Scripture, and then the rest is given. Plan out how much you need for food, clothing, shelter, and paying taxes to Caesar, whose money it is anyway. And maybe throw in a dinner or two dining out with the wife or husband so you can have some quality fellowship time. The rest of the income goes to support Kingdom building work. Missions. Work that shares the gospel. Bible printing or translating or distribution. Hospital building. Building schools where the Gospel is taught. Meeting hands and feet needs in communities at home and abroad. There are a zillion ways the money of this world can be put towards Heavenly purposes.

"Well Hunter, that's just unrealistic" you might say. I don't think so. Don't get me wrong, giving more money for the sake of giving more is not going to do anything except make you poorer. Spiritually and materialistically. But people can get by and live joyously on not much money at all. You might have experienced this. Why do people in "third-world" countries seem so joyful and content when you interact or hear about them on missions trips? They certainly don't have 401ks, bank accounts, savings. They've got a lot of Jesus. So they might be "third-world" to the world as we know it, but they certainly aren't "third-world" to God.

I really do think we would serve ourselves, the church, and most importantly, Jesus, much better if committed time to sit down, study Scripture, seek the Holy Spirit, and really try to get a handle around the "tithe" that God really wants us to be sharing in our lives. Yes, it's going to be uncomfortable and challenging. But I think the reward on the flip side will be well worth the effort, and in doing so, I think we'll come to the conclusion that we'll want to be giving away much more than 10%.

the ookey kooky Spirit?

Well, it's Halloween. In light of goblins, ghouls and ghosts, it got me thinking about things spiritual and related to the Holy Spirit.

In the world, we seem to place quite a bit of emphasis on things of the flesh. Money, clothes, food, a house, a job, sexual relationships. If you disagree, I'd ask that you look or listen to the substance of media advertising, that essentially markets having more and more of these things. I would say that well-intentioned and good meaning followers of Christ struggle with these things as well, fairly regularly, it's not simply isolated to just non-believers. There seems to be this underlying voice or hand, if you will, that pushes or draws us to fill our lives up with these material things. But I'm doubtful that this is in line with what Scripture teaches. Paul writes:

"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." (Galatians 5:13-26 NIV)

Paul advocates that our lives be led by the Holy Spirit. Now, the world would most definitely think that as crazy. "What, led by a spirit? Ok, that's weird. Ya, witches and ghosts and things are spirits...what a wacko."

Maybe so to the world. But living for Christ, being led by the Spirit is the way to go for everything, including all these things that the world enticingly attempts via the flesh.

Again, Paul writes (me summarizing/emphasizing) "You, my brothers, were called to be free...serve one another in love......So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit"

So in light of it's Halloween, it's perfectly ok to be led by and depend on a spirit...the Holy Spirit!

sharing what God's been sharing me

Sharing this will maybe make some sense and have some relevance for you, so that's why I'm sharing it!

This past month, being new to Nashville, new to Vanderbilt, I've been impatient to say the least in trying to find opportunities for ministry. Through church or on campus or in Nashville, wherever it may be. My outlook has been "Lord, I want to do something NOW, please let me know what that is!!" However, God's wisdom is much greater than mine.

This past weekend, I really heard the Lord telling me "find and settle into community first. Get that cemented. Then you will have a strong base from which to serve..."

It makes so much sense!

I think Jesus went about the process of His ministry much the same way. We see Jesus baptized, then tempted by the devil, then he briefly begins to preach, and then goes about calling His disciples and setting up community.

Clearly, Jesus could go about His ministry doing it alone. He's Lord and didn't necessarily need the interactions and relationships with others, yet HE DID specifically go about finding it.

I thank God for making this clear to me this past weekend in a way my pea-brain and less than mustard seed sized heart could understand it, hopefully you can find something in this too!

makes sense

We have 5 senses that we know of and use everyday. Sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. We use these to navigate through life each and every day. In freaky sci-fi movies, there is many times a "6th sense" alluded to or somehow exists.

I'm going to make the hypothesis that a) we humans are fundamentally composed of a body and a soul, and that b) each one of those components has its own senses. We are already used to and for the most part know the bodily ones.

In the context of faith, I think we can also recognize a body and soul. How those two unite is another story. I do think that obtaining salvation has something to do with the merging of these two, body and soul, and somehow the Holy Spirit is involved, and has to be involved, in that merging/holding together. That's more complicated to understand I think, and that's not the purpose of this post.

This post is meant to spur thinking about: what are the soul's "senses"? I think there's considerable logic for the existence of soul senses, and I would also contend that we use them every day, just like our bodily senses. In that case, what are they, and of what importance are they?

Well, they're REALLY important. Think about it. If "touch" was broken down one day, that'd be very bad. You'd get burnt or cut or who knows what. Likewise, if our soul senses were broken down, one or many of them, there'd be similar implications of pain and/or hurt. But this time maybe emotional.

Leading to that, I would suggest that the soul's senses are: courage, hope, joy, praise/thanksgiving, compassion...this is not an inclusive list, but I think it's a start.

Throughout various Psalms, the soul is somewhat personified having bodily actions/features/reactions, which leads me to believe more strongly that it would have senses. Psalm 42 is a good example.

Later, in the New Testament, I think there is more evidence for this. The greatest commandment states "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' (Matt 22:37 NIV)
Jesus delineates different parts of the whole person to which they are to completely love the Lord. The mind here I think represents the body. All are to love the Lord. It makes sense that if they are supposed to submit, each of these components has substance, and I would think they need senses to interpret other substances around them.

Hopefully that's not too confusing.

Paul later writes "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe." (Ephesians 1:17-18 NIV)

Paul asks for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation FOR THE BODY. And then "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened..." I doubt Paul is repeating himself. He was a highly educated man, and an excellent author. I think Paul simply recognizes there are two important parts, body and soul.

So I guess I've focused more on trying to show that a human is composed of a body and soul, but I think it makes a ton of sense that the soul would also have senses.

That's important for our spiritual walks because if we recognize that there really is an existence of "soul senses", then we might try to enhance using them.