To Be Missional or Not To Be Missional..That is the Question?

What a day for writing...

So Missional.

Now as some of you know, I'm not big on names.

"I'm a Reformed, Missional, Charismatic, Evangelical, Baptist!"

but

........anyway, I just got through reading a book by Mark Driscoll called The Radical Reformission. Which talks about Missional living and how a Christian is not to seperate himself from the culture. Now this book was a kick in the butt, but good, if you can get over the crude humor in some parts. But aside from that it was good. The message of the book is something that every Christian needs to hear. Remember..we are in the world not of the world. There is a difference.

But this whole concept of being Missional has been on my mind a lot lately. Becoming a missionary to our own culture and people. That is true, but me like most American Christians forget the fact that.....Missionaries to lands overseas have to learn the culture, language, traditions, religions, and so much more to be effective. But most American Christians, don't know much about their next door neighbor. How about your culture? Do you know how your local government is run? How about where the best place to witness is?

Now of course we know where the sinners hang out, but do we dare go to them and save souls? I'm not saying we should go into bars and witness (it's pretty hard to witness to a guy who can't even say his name without spitting on you). But as Christians we have things to do, places to go right? How about Wal Mart? Can that be a mission field? Car Wash? School?

Now I'm not an expert on Missional Living (check with Buddy Holt, he knows) but it is something we are called to.

I don't know...these are just thoughts that I've had.

Aimless Thoughts that Never Seem to End, but Keep Coming as a Result of the Never Ending Cycle of Something Called Aimless Thoughts.

So I've been thinking....

That my head and heart is so clouded with information that I don't know how to process it all.

Is bible study and prayer the only thing a Christian suppose to do when they have free time?

I sure can't wait to be in Mabank.

Do 20-25 year old blogging Calvinist really wanna take over the world? - Mark Driscoll

Is there really that much joy in brokeness? If so, why doesn't someone preach it?

Why does God allow me to have a wonderful family. Not only mom and dad, but church.

Why did God allow me to fall in love with a beautiful Princess, when I feel so much like a Beast most of the time?

How can I truly love my brothers as myself when my brothers aren't like me at all?

Does fasting really play a huge part in your walk as people say it does?

I wondering if I should write a book about this?

Would living in a box make me more spiritual?

How about wearing 3 year old underwear with holes in the butt just so I could send more money to the mission field?

Is it wrong to want an amazing wife, beautiful kids, great home, cute dog, when I should hate my own life?

I really don't want to waste my life...thanks Piper, I love you!

Is bible college unbiblical?

Is street witnessing effective? One on one evangelizm? AHHH!!! Who cares, preach the Word!

How long before Jesus comes back? I sure hope He lets me get married and a job? haha

I love small town politics.

....so here are some thoughts that I have. Some of them I have answers to, and some I don't. Others are just things I've been thinking. Some are kinda odd sounding but I'm kinda an odd thinking person. Different ones sound kinda sarcastic...which..yeah I know that, but my point is this.....be like Jesus, and repent when you don't act like Him.

In a land..Not So Far Away

In a land......not so far away, there is a group of people... and this group of people seem and act a little stranger then most people. These weird and odd little people don't enjoy the pleasures that most people enjoy. In fact, they flee from things such as R rated movies, MTV, and the alcohol section in Wal Mart. It seems that when they watch the daily news, they get upset and maybe a little depressed, tears may well up in their eyes and say to themselves

"There is Hope."

This odd bunch of folks don't send their kids off to some public teaching program,or associate much with people outside of the fold, and for this they viewed as a...
cult.

Most people call them judgmental, mean spirited, and sorrowful people but actually it is the total opposite.

They have
love
joy
peace
patience
kindness
goodness
faithfulness
gentleness
and most importantly self-control.

People outside of this group,
don't understand why these people
are the way.......
they are.

Something that makes these people stand out is that everyone loves each other just as they love themselves. No one gets upset if they don't get their way...though their flesh may rise up, they repent, ask for forgiveness and move on. Why?...cause love wins.

In this land they view each other as
brothers and sisters,
seeking to fulfill two main goals....

Love God..
and...
Love Others....

They enjoy building relationships with others. Growing close to each other in ways that people outside of the fold seem a little...hummm lets say..wrong?!?

But this one trademark sets them apart from everyone else...

...Christ..

Their love towards Him..devotion...honor....worship......praise! It seems like everytime they go out to the market they have to tell someone about Him. They meet in homes on weekdays just to talk about Him. They spend most of their time reading the Bible, or praying to Him for those who are outside of the group.

They love Him with their
heart,
mind,
soul...and then...everything else they offer to Him.

They meet on Sundays...sing to Him, learn about Him, read about Him, and then do things for Him. Not to wim His favor ...but to please Him because because they love Him.
and you know what....He loves them back. You wanna know why they truly, madly, deeply love Him?
...He first loved them...

They are pilgrims in a land that isn't really their home
and their True Land really isn't that far away................

The Difference between Darkness and Light

I had a very interesting message on my facebook wall the other day. As most of you know, I’ve seen and got a picture taken by the Taj. Okay…ever American tourist who has been to see this work has a picture of them “pulling up” the Taj. But this message was not about me, but about my view on religion. As the message was something of the sort “Since you’re a Christian, it is disrespectful of you to stand in front of a heathen monument.” I prayed and the Lord led me to this….

“Well actually, it's because of my Christian views that I can fully respect the Muslim work such as the Taj, the story and the religion. My view on Religion makes no difference on how I look upon work like the Taj. To call such a thing heathen would limit and restrict my views on True Biblical Christianity and make me just like every other limited, narrow minded, and blind Western Christian that doesn't view work like this as a means of grace from the True God. This does not say I think Islam is right, by no means do I think that, what I am saying is that most Western Christians have the mind set of labeling and limiting God by not showing respect and calling things as such heathen and not allowing Christ to be represented to a lost and dying world. We have too many "christians" today pointing fingers at heathen things and NOT acting like Christ about it. In view of scripture is that Christian? Paul said "I'm all things to all people. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23." Same way with Hinduism, I respect their views and to be honest most Hindus are more spiritual then most Western "christians". In India I would not touch or try to move a cow, or step in the wrong spot on a boat because I paid my respects to their thought on religion and their god(s).This in fact sets apart those who are and those who think they are Christian. Their view on world religion and their own. These are not my words but it's Biblical. I'm not speaking about universalism, because scripture is clear that Christ is the only way, but I'm speaking about allowing Christ to pour out to cause men to repent and believe the Gospel of Christ. Acts speaks about that. Paul says it's not by His words that men are saved but he knowing Christ died and rose again that gives Him the ability to speak. No doubt Muslims, Hindus, Satanist, Atheists, are all going to hell unless they repent and believe, but actually we all are, doesn't matter how you label yourself and what name you fall under. It's not my job to stand and yell at everyone to "turn or burn" but it is to speak the Gospel with humility and grace the best way I can through the power of the Holy Spirit in hopes God will gives grace to those who will believe the Truth. The fact is, scripture says people will turn to their own ways (Isaiah 53:6) and I can not help that, and to call things heathen is the right way to look at things of this world and all the workings of Satan but doesn't allow me to place myself above them on this world in anyway because once I do that, it takes the grace and mercy away from the One who gave it in the first place. But because I'm saved, it allows me to have the righteousness of Christ that all men will need on Judgment Day. But if they do not repent and truth the Savior their eternity is literally Hell. In fact I'm called to love them with all my heart and pray they will be saved from the bondage of sin and the hand of Satan. Narrow is the path that leads to Life, not narrow-mindedness and someone’s limited view on humanity. I pray this explains why I love Muslims and caused me to want a picture with the Taj.”

I’ve been thinking about un saved people and their view of Christianity. I remember not wanting to be like them, or having a judgmental attitude about the world. I didn’t want to look down upon someone who wasn’t a Christian. But once God saved me, I didn’t have that thought of myself being better than anyone else. Actually I was once an enemy of the Cross as well. I have no reason to look down upon someone just because they are not a Christian…but…but but but….I must not neglect sound Biblical truth.

Regardless of Muslims, Hindus, Witches, Agnostic, or Evolutionist. We must proclaim the truth with humility and grace. Not going out of our way to offend or make ourselves look higher than others. Like I said in the email, the only thing that matters is that you have the Righteousness of Christ. For those in Him, you do. For those who aren’t, they need to repent and believe.

7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
13 But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
14 For this reason it says,
Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you."
- Ephesians 5:7-14