I watched the Adjustment Bureau on a plane recently to India. It stars Matt Damon and Emily Bluntman. The premise of the show is that our lives are completely determined by "The Chairman." Damon seeks to fight his fate so that he can romantically pursue Bluntman's character.
The film raises some interesting questions. 1. Does God determine everything? 2. Is there more than one plan? 3. If we mess up Plan A for our lives does God have a plan B? 4. What role does our will and desires play in the fate of our lives?
I would love to hear what others think as I prepare to speak on this topic Sunday at Restoration.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Holy Irreverence
We start a new series at Restoration on Sunday called, "I AM." It is about the nature of God. A.W. Tozer once said that, "What comes to mind when we think of God is the most important thing about us."
We will have a series of video's that are funny and irreverent about the ways we re-create Jesus in our minds to get from him what we want. We want to be irreverent towards these "Jesus idols" so that we will be more motivated to look for the real Jesus.
The first video is about "Santa Jesus." It is a satire of how we often think God is good only if he gives us what we want.
Can you think of other versions of Jesus that are not consistent with the Jesus of the Bible and history?
We will have a series of video's that are funny and irreverent about the ways we re-create Jesus in our minds to get from him what we want. We want to be irreverent towards these "Jesus idols" so that we will be more motivated to look for the real Jesus.
The first video is about "Santa Jesus." It is a satire of how we often think God is good only if he gives us what we want.
Can you think of other versions of Jesus that are not consistent with the Jesus of the Bible and history?
Visit our Denver Church this Sunday at 9am or 11am
Sunday, July 17, 2011
India Update
Greetings from Kolkata. I want to share a few highlights of our trip so far with you.
* The first three days we led medical clinics in slums where our partners at Kolkata City Mission are trying to start churches. Albina, Erica and Nanci did and amazing job as healthcare workers.
* I preached on Thursday night at the largest Church in Kolkata.
* Yesterday we did a family camp for people from three different slums. We led classes on public health, marriage and spirituality. I shared the gospel at the end of the day and 120 Dalits received Jesus as their Lord and Savior!
* Today I preached at a small church service made up of our partners and other missionaries. Tonight Nanci is preaching at a small church in the slums.
* Tomorrow we are building a false ceiling for a community center in a slum. The vision is that this community center would be a place where holistic ministry is done and a church planted.
Our team from our church in Denver, Restoration Community Church, is healthy and strong and unified. We are having a great time with our brothers and sisters in Christ here in Kolkata.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Why Go To India?
I have had a few friends wonder why I am going with a team from Restoration to India. It is a good question given how young our new church is and all the needs we have right here in Denver. Here is my response.
1. I need my heart to be broken. There is nothing like the sensory assault of the slums of Calcutta to help you feel how much pain there is in this world. There is nothing in the world like the poverty experienced by the Dalits in India. I am going because I want a bigger heart, a global heart.
2. There is poverty and there is extreme poverty. We help the poor in Denver, but we do not have extreme poverty in Denver. The untouchables live on less than two dollars a day. Many of them live on less than one dollar a day. I feel a moral obligation to help.
3. The Dalits are looking for hope. There are more Dalits in India than there are people living in the US. They are leaving Hinduism because it has held them down for thousands of years. They are starving for grace and a religion that teaches that all people are equal (Galatians 3:28).
4. Jesus said he wants us to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). I want to witness locally and globally to the good news that the Kingdom of God has come to earth in Jesus and can be our experience right now!
Our team leaves July 10th and comes back July 21st. Please pray God uses us to bless people with medical needs, create economic opportunities, encourage leaders and church planters, and educate people who are needing knowledge to become more whole. Thanks.
1. I need my heart to be broken. There is nothing like the sensory assault of the slums of Calcutta to help you feel how much pain there is in this world. There is nothing in the world like the poverty experienced by the Dalits in India. I am going because I want a bigger heart, a global heart.
2. There is poverty and there is extreme poverty. We help the poor in Denver, but we do not have extreme poverty in Denver. The untouchables live on less than two dollars a day. Many of them live on less than one dollar a day. I feel a moral obligation to help.
3. The Dalits are looking for hope. There are more Dalits in India than there are people living in the US. They are leaving Hinduism because it has held them down for thousands of years. They are starving for grace and a religion that teaches that all people are equal (Galatians 3:28).
4. Jesus said he wants us to be his witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). I want to witness locally and globally to the good news that the Kingdom of God has come to earth in Jesus and can be our experience right now!
Our team leaves July 10th and comes back July 21st. Please pray God uses us to bless people with medical needs, create economic opportunities, encourage leaders and church planters, and educate people who are needing knowledge to become more whole. Thanks.
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