tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62679592816970244292024-02-07T18:01:53.869-08:00The College ChurchStories of our journey...Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-41123624103791133912010-07-27T02:10:00.000-07:002010-07-27T02:23:15.695-07:00Crave - Jesus' Temptation 2The other day I posted some thoughts on the 2nd temptation of Jesus which takes place in Matthew 4. I thought I'd talk about another one today. Here is the passage:<br /><br />"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, 'If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.' Jesus answered, 'It is written, 'People do not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:1-3)<br /><br />As I wrote the other day, I believe Satan's 2nd temptation of Christ was all about identity, and challenging him to prove his worth through his actions instead of his being as the Son of God. This first temptation is somewhat similar, but instead draws out issues of what I would call our cravings. <br /><br />Again, I'm not sure this passage is very comforting to me. First of all, I'm not a fan of the Holy Spirit leading the Messiah into the desert for the sole purpose of being tempted. At first glance it kind of sounds like taking someone snipe hunting. Second, the obvious nature of Jesus' hunger after his forty days of fasting leaves him in a vulnerable position. It is at this point that Satan comes and unleashes his desire for the Messiah's destruction with the most basic nature of sin--temptation laid out as a platter of our own cravings.<br /><br />Our cravings are the darker parts of our lives. They are the things we are in love with taken too far. The things God has designed for goodness and the glorifications of himself (such as our sexuality, achievements, identity, etc.) become the twisted thorns of sin if the craving takes over our appetites. Sexuality becomes lust. Achievement becomes pride. Identity becomes an obsession.<br /><br />In this temptation though, Jesus ceases Satan's activities by moving past the temporary fulfillment of his own cravings. Bread alone, although it would be satisfying for a moment, will not fill Jesus' forty day old hunger. It is only the word of God--the logos and life-giving action of God in the world--that can truly satisfy.<br /><br />May we be a people who crave more than temporary things. May we be filled with the goodness, kindness, gentleness, and all the other fruits of the Spirit himself as we move through this world.Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-45406169325685566422010-07-24T19:58:00.000-07:002010-07-24T20:06:43.066-07:00Operational Vs. Aspirational - Where is Your Vision?This week I've started researching the process for "creating" a ministry officially. I mean doing things like making donations able to be tax-deductible, gaining status as a 501(c)3 organization, incorporation, etc. Most of these things I have no understanding about. Most of them are way outside of the way I usually get passionate about spending my time. But I think they are going to be absolutely critical to this journey.<br /><br />As I've worked on this stuff this week I was reminded of a quick news story I heard on NPR. The clip was about two men arrested for trying to travel from America to Afghanistan to join Al-Qaeda. In the commentator's words, the "terrorists" were 'aspirational' but not 'operational'. <br /><br />This terminology sits in my head as I think about where our vision for ministry lies. Is the vision of a leader aspirational or operational? If it is aspirational we will be left with a multitude of ideas, passions, and dreams--and these are all necessary. But if our vision becomes operational we find the courage to execute the ideas, passions, and dreams. For some, the operations come more easily; for me, the the aspirational is more natural. But great leadership demands both. <br /><br />I'm praying for the God-given aspirations and the courage to execute operationally. What about you?Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-33425267101556758442010-07-22T03:19:00.000-07:002010-07-22T03:42:13.494-07:00Stepping off the Ledge - Jesus' Temptation 1I've always been a little troubled reading Matthew 4. I never liked the subtitle in my Bible--"The Temptation of Jesus". Mainly because I don't like the idea of Jesus being tempted. I know he resisted, but I've always kind of thought, what if he didn't? So much of what I think and believe becomes irrelevant if he was not perfect. <br /><br />But there is also a great comfort in these temptations. Scripture offers an embrace to those of us facing struggles by suggesting that Jesus was tempted in every way that we are, and thus understands what it means to be fully human. We have to imagine that he not only faced Satan in the three areas mentioned in Matthew 4, but time and again through his life.<br /><br />So what makes Matthew 4 different? Why does the writer capture these temptations, along with the obvious statement that after Jesus fasted forty days and nights, "he was hungry"? <br /><br />I believe the temptations of Christ Matthew covers are full of meaning for all of us--and perhaps cover every area of human struggles we could imagine. I want to explore each of them here, but we will start with the second temptation.<br /><br />Jesus is tempted three times from Satan. The second time the devil takes him to the "highest point of the temple" and says, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down..." and then quotes Scripture about God's provision and rescue. <br /><br />This temptation is about identity. "If you are the Son of God..." Satan wants Christ to defend his identity. Prove it. Prove that you are what you say you are. <br /><br />This resonates so strongly in my soul because it is often the heart of the human struggle. <br /><br />As I've been working at Chick-Fil-A, after 8 years of full-time vocational ministry, I have day in and day out wrestled against the struggle of identity. I have a friend who recently left his job at a church and became a salesman. He warned me that I would feel "out of the ministry club" and he was right. In the back of my heads are thoughts and questions of who I am and what this all means. Not because it's meaningless work, but because it's not who I have been for eight years.<br /><br />I've seen my ugliness through this. I've seen that my identity, as a pastor, was wrapped up in my day to day functions. "If you are really a servant of God..." then prove it, is the echo in my head. <br /><br />It is a great comfort to find myself being stripped of these things. To be torn down and find myself desperate for identity and running to God to find it is a blessing.<br /><br />Jesus' response to Satan is simple: "Do not put the Lord your God to the test."<br /><br />Jesus doesn't have to prove his identity. He is not about doing, but about being. He lives fully from his identity as God's son and doesn't seek to earn favor by his functions.<br /><br />Last week I had a great conversation at camp with someone wrestling with God. She shared a bit of her struggles with Christian community and her deep desire to just "find people who will admit that they want to be loved." I've been thinking about this conversation all week and I think she's getting at the heart of our identity struggles. We are terrified to admit our longing to be loved just as we are. We are trying to impress those around us with our jobs, relationships, wealth, and so much more. And in the end, we are sewing our own fig leaves and hiding as well as we know how.<br /><br />In Christ, we are set free. Disciples can rest. Leaders can lead from their being, and not from their success. It is an act of the kingdom to step off the ledge of our own temples and stop trying to prove our worth. We are the children of God--and that is enough.Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-50040833533011112462010-07-19T04:22:00.000-07:002010-07-19T04:39:23.435-07:00Hospital Beds and Hippy Dancing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://60sfurther.com/TAMTAM3_05/19septembre-th.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 411px; height: 700px;" src="http://60sfurther.com/TAMTAM3_05/19septembre-th.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />As I transitioned out of my time at the Bible Chapel, I received a note from someone. It was intended to be a message of encouragement. Here’s what it said:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">“…Don’t forget that God is the great Physician—mankind is sick with sin. They don’t know they need a doctor because they don’t think they are sick. Teach and preach boldly that repentance is required to enter into the relationship with the Lord. Show people they are sinful and need a Savior. Boldly call them out—use the 10 commandments as a mirror to show them they are in need of the One who can wash them clean—and transform them into the likeness of Christ. May God bless you and keep you— Boldly preach repentance and faith.”</span><br /><br /><br />This past weekend before taking a group of college students to be counselors at a camp for a week we took some time to go to a place called the Purple Fiddle. The Fiddle is a very cool music venue in Davis, WV. It lies in the middle of nowhere and is a haven for mountain men, hippies, musicians and artists. They are known for good food, great music, and an amazing atmosphere. <br /><br />As we were there last Friday night I watched a couple of 20-something girls dancing freely as the band played. They were bad dancers but had a great time together. They found a certain amount of freedom in the hospitality of the place they found themselves.<br /><br />So which is more effective in inviting people to the transformation that Christ brings? Is it more helpful to tell them how "sick they are" or invite them to a dance? Is an understanding of sin about making us feel guilty or helping us know freedom?<br /><br />I believe the community of Christ-followers should invite people to dance. I do not believe we shy away from the idea of sin, but rather broaden our understanding to see sin as more than just our individual shortcomings (lying, stealing, gossip, lust). Instead, we must grasp sin as the brokenness, shame, and hurt God never intended for the world. Sin is the guilt I carry of my own fallenness, but also the weight of others' sin against me. If I am abused I carry the weight of that sin. It is not my fault but it affects me nonetheless.<br /><br />My point is simply this--<br /><br />Freedom is more transforming than guilt. <br /><br />When Christ speaks to the woman at the well he doesn't simply tell her how sick she is. He acknowledges her condition honestly, but then he says, "Let me give you water so you will never thirst." When the woman is caught in adultery and Jesus causes the accusers to drop their stones he doesn't then pick one up and tell the woman he could stone her. He says, "Neither do I accuse you. Go and sin no more."<br /><br />Freedom is more transforming than guilt.<br /><br />I pray that in the ministry we give birth to at Penn State people are invited to dance rather than lie in a hospital bed. Hopefully the freedom of grace will create a community of hospitality where courage is granted rather than guilt.Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-36653525898137181412010-07-08T20:40:00.000-07:002010-07-08T20:49:14.913-07:00Movement<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGnZ9HX-ixHANl3skCe87ClP74-Af9RH4limOCQU3etmGQJ3ZwXd0vK8fb0kISnhl1YSIl5w7UzVNh-grxRui0e0LtoKbICIdgUlqvXG8fVt552T9llv-XcO1y-DcUojjaMmT3nIgDEk/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGnZ9HX-ixHANl3skCe87ClP74-Af9RH4limOCQU3etmGQJ3ZwXd0vK8fb0kISnhl1YSIl5w7UzVNh-grxRui0e0LtoKbICIdgUlqvXG8fVt552T9llv-XcO1y-DcUojjaMmT3nIgDEk/s320/photo.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491747618278194066" /></a><br />A quick flashback to my trip to Kenya with 9 college students and 6 adults: We spent a great amount of time in the Mathare slums within Nairobi. Less than 12 hours off the plane and we attended a 3 ½ hour church service in these slums. It was an experience of culture shock to say the least. But the hearts of our team quickly broke for this place and we fell in love with the people there. By the time our trip was wrapping up we shed tears as we said goodbye to the 260 children of the AIC Zion school. Many of the students on our team echoed the same sentiment—we have to come back… this is where God wants us.<br /><br />About a month later Carrie and I found ourselves on a visit to Penn State University attempting to decide what the next step of our lives entailed. Should we uproot from the Pittsburgh area after 8 years of ministry between two churches? Should we attempt to sell a beautiful house we feel is a gift from God and move our three daughters halfway across the state? Should I leave the title of “pastor” behind, along with vocational ministry, and take a job as a manger at Chick-Fil-A—in a place where I have no experience? Should we even think about trying to do college ministry in a place where there are 42,000+ students, most of whom are not oriented toward faith?<br /><br />I walked around the main campus of Penn State in State College, PA on a drizzly afternoon with one of the students who had gone on our Kenya trip. She told me about the campus. She told me of how she had grown closer to God through the ministry of Campus Crusade, and how she knew God had big plans for this campus. She introduced me to friends and that evening, Carrie and I worshiped with their Cru (the Campus Crusade program).<br /><br />The next day we drove home. We had reached no decision, but I felt the same thing many of our Kenya team had felt—we have to come back… this is where God wants us.<br /><br />Carrie and I have had a wild ride since I came back from Kenya. We have chosen to leave an amazing church community to follow God’s leading to Penn State University. I will be taking a job as a manager at a new Chick-Fil-A in the town with the dream of birthing a community of Christ-followers in order to impact the campus. It has been a difficult decision. I have fallen in love with my wife all over again as I’ve watched her come along side my dream and trust God’s leading in spite of what she and I both might prefer in terms of comfort.<br /><br />Our house is on the market. We have owned the place for 10 months and truly love it. I am nervous about it not selling, afraid of what that could mean financially. I am fighting my own pride of no longer being a full-time vocational pastor. I have found more joy than I can describe in watching the comforts of my life be stripped away.<br /><br />I started yesterday as a manager in training at Chick-Fil-A. Today I got a minor burn on my arm from the grease in the fryer. This isn't what I ever planned for my ministry career to be. But I think I smiled all day today. <br /><br />For the first time since I graduated from high school I am standing with Carrie and our girls feeling like we must truly depend on God. It is the first time in a long time (if ever) I feel like I have truly been living by faith. And I would not have it any other way!<br /><br />The next couple months are going to be critical. As we transition to State College we are in the process of praying through a vision for ministry there. A great team of people have already begun to surround us and we are encouraged by those of you who are praying for our journey!<br /><br />As we returned from the beach a couple weeks ago, somewhat fearing the idea of coming back, saying goodbye, selling the house, and blah blah blah, we sorted through our mail. In the midst of the bills that are starting to look intimidating a good friend had sent me this postcard above with some encouraging words—along with a check for a thousand dollars. The basic message from him was, “God is behind this. Trust it. Use this for what you need and be encouraged.” Both Carrie and I shed tears as we held tangible encouragement God was using from the heart of a friend.<br /><br />The journey has begun. I cannot wait to tell the stories. Stay tuned.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-fDUxmv4t4VSYWY-oqZCSPuSVZiznX78YJfHWULbHEztPvvLg3VqT-VsS13OJbJ8xXkP8xVVTpCFIjnyS1Y5ftBt3eTJipVcNakOt8MStMEdmrfBt_3vtVihE5-SaOLvDCs7CxmIpe8/s1600/36760_10150223699495228_585405227_13453217_1094594_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-fDUxmv4t4VSYWY-oqZCSPuSVZiznX78YJfHWULbHEztPvvLg3VqT-VsS13OJbJ8xXkP8xVVTpCFIjnyS1Y5ftBt3eTJipVcNakOt8MStMEdmrfBt_3vtVihE5-SaOLvDCs7CxmIpe8/s320/36760_10150223699495228_585405227_13453217_1094594_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491748012610314402" /></a>Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-51393944940916925532009-02-16T19:50:00.000-08:002009-02-16T20:12:43.031-08:00Restless**This may be too honest. Just a warning up front.<br /><br />Carrie pointed out tonight that I've been restless now going on 8 months. It started in July. I might even go back and say it started last July... a year and 8 months ago. <br /><br />It's this magical little place called Selbyville that tends to screw with your head... and your heart. Last year I was there I was still full-time in youth ministry, working with Junior High students. I was on the porch of one of the rustic little cabins with a couple close friends, too late at night, talking about how burnt out I was. It was for real too. I was sick of the kids. I was sick of teaching and teaching and teaching and feeling like they never really got it. I wanted out of youth ministry, and I had never felt that way in my entire life. I had been involved in youth ministry from the time I was in high school... but last July I had no joy in it.<br /><br />At the same time I was watching our worship pastor at the Chapel crumble. He fought clinical depression for a long time and he was falling apart on the job. His relationship with our pastor was splintering further and further apart--not because they disliked each other, but because, like a doomed marriage, they couldn't communicate anymore. It wasn't working.<br /><br />I saw this, and I knew I was next in line. God, I'm prideful. But it was true. I knew I had what it took to step into the role and at least move the church forward in terms of their "modernization" of worship. That was what I felt God "calling me to". In February, our worship pastor left and I did step in. I was finally out of youth ministry and fully into the worship area. <br /><br />I took on leadership of Sunday mornings and continued in the Saturday night role--playing the music I wanted on Saturdays and tailoring basically to what the church wanted on Sunday mornings... whatever that means, "what the church wanted." I think I nearly killed myself doing this. I didn't realize how unhealthy, physically and emotionally, this was for me until we hired our new worship pastor in August. I stepped back to only doing Saturday nights and found rest and some sense of balance again. But I also found a deep and ugly beast called pride that was jealous beyond all measure that I hadn't been consulted on who we would hire, and hadn't even been asked to step into the role myself. (It doesn't matter that I would have failed miserably in that role, my own pride wanted it.) <br /><br />I wrote a song during that time that I thought was a breakup love song with some cool imagery about a magician:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">The Magician</span><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">I’m not really here, it’s a vanishing act you see<br />And if I disappear, would you even miss me?<br /><br />Did I see hope in your eyes, hope only that I’ll be gone?<br />Wonderment paint on the face, of the innocent young<br /><br />So with a magic word, I’ll do this thing right<br />Just a flick of the wand I’ll be gone from your sight<br /><br />And the world will be, full of mystery again<br />There’ll be no more you for me, and the show will end<br /><br />The stage is empty now, it’s time to go<br />No more sleight of hand, and we’re all alone<br /><br />There aren’t magic words, to fill up the gap<br />For you’re there in the crowd and you don’t know where I’m at<br />But if I reappear would we find our way<br />Somehow to pull back the veil, or just vanish away…<br /></span><br /><br />The more I sang it though, in my own basement, the more I realized it wasn't a breakup song. It was a song from the pit of my pride, trying to deal with not being "the guy on stage" anymore. I don't know that I've even now fully dealt with it. <br /><br />Anyway, it was about this time that what I knew God had "called me to" (the worship thing) began to leave me empty. I started wondering why I couldn't do more. I miss teaching. I miss the relationships and hanging out with students. I feel like I sing every week and try to create a flow of songs that leaves people feeling like they've connected with God--whether I have or not. <br /><br />Take this week for instance. I did these songs and felt like there was nothing there. In the middle of one of the songs I consciously thought that... "I'm faking this." At the end I was backstage (hiding) and putting my guitar away. A good friend that I love like crazy came and found me to say how great it had been and how God was so cool. He talked specifically about my prayer for the congregation and how it had touched him and someone he brought with him who didn't know Christ. I didn't have the guts to tell him I was a fraud.<br /><br />Maybe this is too much of an emotional rant, but maybe it's also sort of therapy for me. The fact is, I'm worn out. I've been searching for the "right job". I look at ministry websites, check out churches, and try to find the perfect role for myself at my current church. And I think I cloak it with things like, "If God would just show me..." I feel utterly and completely restless. I feel like I work in a system with something that I don't necessarily, theologically believe in... a large, consumer-driven business that we sometimes call church. I know that's harsh and I know God loves passionately that place and is still using it, but it's just where I'm at. <br /><br />I want to climb out of this, but I don't see a rope. I keep thinking about what it means to be "called" to something and I realize more and more that I have absolutely no idea what calling is. I don't know what I'm called to beyond the relationships with the people that I love like crazy. I have dreams but right now I feel stuck.<br /><br />I must be driving Carrie crazy. She's a hero to me. She continues the light that I can't always see. Caedmon's Call has a great song about that, "Hold the Light." <br /><br />I don't know... I really don't.Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-86334480744913014392008-10-27T19:43:00.001-07:002008-10-27T19:56:40.079-07:00A Heap<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.surfersvillage.com/gal/pictures/StormCloud1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 640px; height: 480px;" src="http://www.surfersvillage.com/gal/pictures/StormCloud1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />I don't know if I've asked the question here or not, but what does it mean to be saved? I think it's almost meaningless in Christianity today. We say it, expect it as almost code for being in the "in club" and yet I think it's somewhat lost the power that being saved needs to have. When I hear it I think of the 70 year olds in my home church at the old Sunday night testimony and hymn sing we did sharing their testimonies. They would tear up and talk about being saved. I loved those night. But when I talk about it I don't have that same passion.<br /><br />For the past few months, I feel like I keep trying to stand up and then I get my knees kicked out from under me. Usually by my own fault, sometimes from the criticisms of others, and sometimes I'll even blame it on God (He's not opposed to wrestling)--but I've felt like a big heap on the ground for quite a while. <br /><br />I want to know what's next. I want to know what God has planned for Carrie and I. I want direction, leading, guidance and the next steps. I think God just wants me. Beyond that I think he wants to keep saving me. I think he wants to save me from myself. I think as I look for direction he just wants me to realize I'm directionless... and will be until I fall completely on him. <br /><br />I'm tired--emotionally. I think I've been sitting in shame and self-doubt, craving the worth that "the right job" or the "right ministry opportunity" might offer. I need saved from this. I truly and desperately need saved.<br /><br />Been thinking about this song...<br /><br />BLOOM AGAIN - Charlie Hall<br />Crying seems to hurt me, but it's alright to cry<br />You have been so strong now, your tears will turn to wine<br />Life seems so brittle, landing upside down<br />It seems to make us fragile, and bares upon us now<br /><br />Oh the leaves are falling <br />Winter is now here<br />The spring is coming<br />And you can bloom again<br /><br />The beauty of,<br />The ash of love,<br />When you emerge,<br />You are more beautiful... bloom again<br /><br />Some storms leave the beauty,<br />Some storms leave the thorns<br />Compassion pours from heaven<br />Mercy ever dawn<br /><br />Somewhere in this whirlwind<br />Somewhere in this crowd<br />Hold up to his heartbeat<br />Push away the sounds<br /><br />Oh the leaves are falling <br />Winter is now here<br />The spring is coming<br />And you can bloom again<br /><br />The beauty of,<br />The ash of love,<br />When you emerge,<br />You are more beautiful... bloom again<br /><br />Maybe I should say your Name, <br />Maybe I should say your Name out loud<br /><br /><br />The beauty of,<br />The ash of love,<br />When you emerge,<br />You are more beautiful... bloom againJustin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-53106204884376055172008-10-25T22:23:00.000-07:002008-10-25T22:34:40.428-07:00Open AgainI've been wanting to post on here again for a while, but haven't felt like I had much to write. I don't really know if anyone will still read this. Either way, it might be therapeutic for me. <br /><br />I'm in Minnesota right now for seminary. It's always good to be out here because I get away from work for a while and am able to really focus on school. I also like being with the guys I'm with in class and at the hotel--it's good to process learning in community. But, it's also hard being gone from the girls for so long. I miss them like crazy.<br /><br />Anyway, I think the last time I posted on here we had just returned from North Carolina after taking a weekend away to really pray about church planting and our future. That was over a month ago. I think I've been kind of frustrated since then... frustrated at God somewhat for not making it obviously clear what lies ahead and frustrated that I can't figure it out. I understand his timing is perfect and am trying to surrender all that, but it is difficult at times.<br /><br />Tonight I went to John Piper's church. Here's a picture:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9LC5qi511NzAd0-gZpLJHdZeWKdzmtBaHt74sL4CR_FuVAZ4IcbijSq5hETErv8S67wh4dFdjzusR_IdUGfVF2oqRXumMyOwcvKcdHpUDGuNh01NIhlrWrjMx5NOs7w4UAG3WJWjIvI/s1600-h/img116.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9LC5qi511NzAd0-gZpLJHdZeWKdzmtBaHt74sL4CR_FuVAZ4IcbijSq5hETErv8S67wh4dFdjzusR_IdUGfVF2oqRXumMyOwcvKcdHpUDGuNh01NIhlrWrjMx5NOs7w4UAG3WJWjIvI/s320/img116.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261330509340252994" /></a><br /><br />Being at his church is pretty unique. I know John Piper from his books, the Passion conference, and other things like that. He's a phenomenal teacher--very passionate and very deep. But his church is like stepping into a timewarp. To be honest, it's really a pretty frustrating experience. Like many of our churches, it is not very welcoming at all, and I would feel really uncomfortable there if I wasn't a Christian. But I think it goes deeper than that...<br /><br />After the service tonight I talked with some of the guys from my class. What I said was that I think I could cease going to large, corporate church services and be perfectly content. The house church model, to me, with a group of people that I love and relate to in community, seems much more fulfilling. I really don't know what to do with that. (I say that a lot on this blog.) <br /><br />I'm not sure where things will head, but I think that for those of us thinking this way we have to get courageous enough to take some of these jumps. The jumps may mean stepping out of traditions in order to be intentional in the untraditional, smaller community settings. I don't know. Any thoughts?Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-43078382067527441142008-09-15T19:25:00.000-07:002008-09-15T19:40:11.643-07:00Mormons on the StreetWe returned from North Carolina last night about 8 pm. It was a great weekend, with a ton of driving and fun. <br /><br />We went to Chapel Hill for a couple of reasons. When I started this blog a couple months ago, with the few of you that actually read it, I was at a point of total struggle and frustration. But... I also didn't just want to keep complaining. I needed to find out what God wanted to show me. In my mind, I was taking a leap, in a community of people, to find out what the future might hold. <br /><br />About that same time I started thinking about Chapel Hill. I love college students, and I've spent time around UNC a few times with our friends from North Carolina. Every time, I've loved it. The area is incredible, and ripe for ministry. Maybe it was just a need to get away, or maybe it was God speaking, but Carrie and I decided to take a weekend down there in prayer and exploration... and wondered if God might be leading us there permanently. I was terrified, and felt like an absolute crazy man. But I wanted to at least DO something. <br /><br />Anyway... the trip was great. We spent late Thursday night driving and pulled into our friends' house about 2:30 Friday morning. Our friends, Jordan and Deirdre, went with us and it was great having some other perspective on the trip. <br /><br />Friday we walked around Chapel Hill and I realized that I really had no clue how I was supposed to "discern" God's voice. Funny story though, the first people that talked to us in Chapel Hill were two young mormon men on mission. Complete with short sleeved dress shirts and black ties, they were also about the only people in Chapel Hill who spoke with us. It was at this point that I started to realize how much I was stressing myself out trying to "hear" God. <br /><br />Saturday we relaxed. I spent some time in prayer Friday night and really felt like I needed to just stop stressing and be present with the people we were there with that we loved a lot. We all went to get tattoos Saturday (even my wife!) which was a blast and took it easy.<br /><br />Long story short, we're not moving to North Carolina. Most of you probably realized that as soon as I told you we were even taking the trip. I think I did too, but was perhaps glamorizing my own "Abraham experience" of going into the wilderness. I don't regret it though. I think the clearest I heard God on the trip was in the voice of the people I was there with. <br /><br />That is what I keep returning to--the absolute divine nature of the intentional community we surround ourselves with. I am excited to be home... I missed our family and our friends... those of you who love and support Carrie and I. We have some big ideas that we're praying about and I'll be sharing in the coming weeks... I'm dying to get them out there for you all to start praying too, but I don't think it's quite time. If you really want to know, give me a call and I'll pour out my heart, but it may be a long conversation.<br /><br />Anyway, thanks for your prayers and love for us. It is good to be home and I still have no clue where the road is going, but I think we'll keep walking.Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-51277247544384106822008-09-10T10:24:00.000-07:002008-09-10T10:26:56.832-07:00Off to ExploreCarrie and I are off this weekend to spend some time in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Be praying for us. I'm hoping it's a great weekend away, and somewhat clarifying for us as to where God might lead us in the future. I'll try to keep you all updated.Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-23031913020242784182008-09-08T06:28:00.000-07:002008-09-08T06:39:17.953-07:00Inconsistent.I just read a brief article in "Worship Leader" magazine written by Francis Chan. The title was "Why are they Leaving?" and dealt with why so many youth are leaving the church in droves. His conclusion was that we've based so much of what we do in ministry on the entertainment mentality. The challenge was for worship leaders to go away from this--begin modeling the true Acts 2 church. <br /><br />I love Francis Chan. I've heard him speak a couple of times and he is one of the most passionate speakers I've ever heard. But this article was ruined for me when I read the last page. In the midst of a great article was a full page spread with an ad for some worship projection software. The image was of a man kneeling on some carpets, arms raised in worship as he knelt before an enormous projection screen. The tag: "Powerful imagery for a powerful message." This was mirrored by an in-article ad for worship films, "20+ all new loopable videos to enhance your worship services." <br /><br />Understand, I have no problems with the use of media and projection and those things in a worship service. I just think that sometimes with our "Christian" media world--magazines, shows, radio, etc. our message is very inconsistent.Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-82401510807649933022008-09-04T11:32:00.001-07:002008-09-04T11:35:06.143-07:00Marketing your Church<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDvE8B8tCkBHYFpCxE0jc8mfwlQY1Re6Wj3CiXjDdgm1_VBLK1sx71grEFOdWLjhwX6O7oxtyYbGniCXoAhuKjckFuaVI79EmTssrznvwNY2rGVPs_gygetMhk14s90kE7B_aFqaK80U/s1600-h/apple-rumors.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDvE8B8tCkBHYFpCxE0jc8mfwlQY1Re6Wj3CiXjDdgm1_VBLK1sx71grEFOdWLjhwX6O7oxtyYbGniCXoAhuKjckFuaVI79EmTssrznvwNY2rGVPs_gygetMhk14s90kE7B_aFqaK80U/s320/apple-rumors.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242236513856160770" /></a><br />What do you think about marketing for outreach? There are a lot of different opinions, from doing nothing at all other than relationships to mimicking the best in the world with a fifth avenue mindset. <br /><br />Part of me loves the creativity and challenge of good marketing while another part of me wonders about it.<br /><br />Any thoughts?<br /><br />If you like good marketing, you should love <a href="http://www.technewsworld.com/story/mobile-tech/64379.html?wlc=1220534516">Apple</a>.Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-6188308598239405062008-09-04T11:22:00.000-07:002008-09-04T11:30:20.465-07:00Decentralizing the ChurchI've been thinking about a community of believers being organized in a decentralized way. One of the criticisms I've heard a lot of the church at large is the overly-corporate mentality. I think some of this stems from a need and desire to manage and organize the church in ways that give more seamless programs and processes. Intuitively, this makes sense. I don't know that this is necessarily a bad thing at heart.<br /><br />The problem comes, in my opinion, at a level when something is so managed and centralized that the Sunday "event" becomes the central focal point, the key to all else that happens in the system. I'm reading a book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Here-Comes-Everybody-Organizing-Organizations/dp/1594201536/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1220552789&sr=8-1">Here Comes Everybody</a>, that deals with organizing without organizations. It's a fascinating book looking at the systems so prevalent today that people are organizing themselves around, minus the need for hierarchical organization. Things such as myspace and wikipedia are great examples. <br /><br />So I wonder about decentralizing the church. I wonder, if a church were planted with part of it's value being in a decentralized nature, what that would look like. What if a system of house churches functioned as communities, organizing themselves around a common mission and purpose--perhaps with a monthly gathering at a larger level for worship and story telling, teaching and vision. I wonder what the key issues would be. The organizer in me comes up with a list of things immediately, but I also see a lot of values. What do you think?<br /><br />Check out this <a href="http://www.austinmustardseed.org/mint/pepper/orderedlist/downloads/download.php?file=http%3A//www.austinmustardseed.org/mint/pepper/orderedlist/downloads/download.php%3Ffile%3Dhttp%253A//www.austinmustardseed.org/Mustard_Seed_Church.pdf">article</a> for more thoughts on the subject.Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-82377666631930914502008-09-02T19:38:00.001-07:002008-09-02T19:39:05.961-07:00Jesus Truly is My FriendProbably the funniest thing I've seen in a LONG time. I may learn this song and lead worship with it this Saturday.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> <param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1293878&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /> <embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1293878&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/1293878?pg=embed&sec=1293878">Jesus is my friend by "Sonseed"</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user511810?pg=embed&sec=1293878">Peleg Top</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com?pg=embed&sec=1293878">Vimeo</a>.Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-59158064497465874432008-08-31T21:02:00.000-07:002008-08-31T21:21:46.579-07:00A Prayer...Lord of Restoration for the Broken,<br /><br />Be glorified through your people. <br /><br />You are mighty. We are weak.<br />You suffered. All for love.<br />You resurrected. Glorified and exalted.<br /><br />--The fulfillment of the ages.<br /><br />--All in all.<br /><br />You still reign. King of all kingdoms, <br />empires, <br />democracies,<br />news media,<br />politicians (democratic and republican),<br />fallen heroes,<br />wounded soldiers,<br />prostitutes,<br />gays,<br />sex addicts,<br />orphans,<br />widows,<br />young and naive,<br />old and opinionated,<br />You still reign.<br /><br />King of ALL kingdoms.<br /><br />You STILL reign.<br /><br />Be glorified through your people.<br />Through our time together and our words to each other.<br />Through our survival in spite of ourselves.<br />Through our hurts, fears, failures, and conceitedness.<br />Through the beauty of lives lived wide-open and entirely transparent.<br />Through the story of the new Israel, the Restored Remnant, the ones breathing Hope.<br /><br />Through all days... be glorified in your people. In your Church.<br /><br />In your Church.<br />In your Church.<br />We are the Church.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mvQRd7D9BDM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mvQRd7D9BDM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-52570790233101728402008-08-31T05:31:00.001-07:002008-08-31T05:31:33.258-07:00Hillsong Conference Day 2Sitting here in the lobby of the Holiday Inn Express in downtown Toronto. We're leaving in about an hour to head home. I'm excited to actually be home for a while and see Malia and Pressley again, but it's been a great weekend.<br /><br />Yesterday was packed full. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Session 1 - Brian Houston.</span><br />Brian Houston is the lead pastor at Hillsong Church in Australia. He planted the church 25 years ago and seems to be a great visionary who has seen a global vision for ministry truly come to pass. <br /><br />In the morning he spoke from the book of Joshua where God promises Joshua that he will expand his territory, but he must be "strong and courageous." Brian's point was that God definitely has plans for us and great vision for us, but it won't come to pass without challenges at times. He read from Joshua 12 as it lists the entire group of defeated kings, 31 in all. Houston made a great parallel by asking what kings we were facing--be it anxiety, stress, fear, sin, etc. <br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Session 2 - Joel Houston</span> <br />Joel is Brian's son. He is one of the worship leaders from Hillsong United, and is amazingly gifted, both as a singer/songwriter AND a speaker. <br /><br />Joel shared about the <a href="http://www.iheartrevolution.com/">I-Heart Revolution</a> he has helped to birth. He spoke of God's call for truth, beauty and justice and I really appreciated the honesty and sincerity of his message. I think the main takeaway I pulled was just a reinforcement that worship must be carried out through our actions and involvement in the needs of the world around us.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Session 3 - Songwriting with Brooke Fraser and Joel Houston</span><br />Great, short session.<br /><br />Songwriting is an abstract, crazy thing that I don't know if it's even possible to give practical advice on... so I loved that the basic gist of the talk was, "Be you. Keep writing. Love God." Amen.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Closing Session - Brian Houston</span><br />An amazing last session with a full-blown concert from the band.<br /><br />Brian's talk dealt with the church and the calling of the people as a movement. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Looking forward to getting home.Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-74414370440707253872008-08-29T21:15:00.003-07:002008-08-29T21:15:44.853-07:00Hillsong Conference Day 1I'll be double posting from my other blog this weekend as we're in Toronto at the Hillsong Conference. Next week I'll have some thoughts to share specific to here.<br /><br />Blessings!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/228/470247809_6278d32647.jpg?v=0"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/228/470247809_6278d32647.jpg?v=0" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />It's difficult to follow my last post with something serious, but I'll try. I'm here with some great folks from the Chapel for the Hillsong United Conference in Toronto. <br /><br />The first night of the conference was great. I'm amazed at the tightness of the actual Hillsong band and the spirit they have with worship. More amazing was the anticipation of thousands of people to engage in worship. <br /><br />Phil Dooley spoke tonight. He is the former youth pastor of Hillsong in Australia and now leads their church plant in Capetown, South Africa. <br /><br />I really appreciated Phil's message tonight as he spoke of intimacy and community as a reflection of the glory of God. He was a great speaker who began with some tinkering on a keyboard -- simple, single notes speaking of the isolation of so many people. Later he brought out one of the band's keyboard players who played during the entire talk, weaving in the idea of the harmony God brings to relationships and churches. <br /><br />One of the most powerful moments of the night was Phil talking about what some US High Schools have done with a program called <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aKmMGsRvDA">Challenge Day</a>. The basic gist is that students are challenged to "cross a line" if they've ever been hurt by others, abused, wounded, etc. Watch the video if you can and you'll gain a better picture, but I was moved by this. I'm amazed that high schools are diving into the deepness and emotional baggage that comes with great levels of honesty and healing. As leaders in a church I think we should examine and question how we are doing the same things.<br /><br />Time for sleep now. <br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7aKmMGsRvDA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7aKmMGsRvDA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-42591286502909026892008-08-20T22:36:00.000-07:002008-08-20T22:40:41.509-07:00Signing Off...We leave for vacation today. I'm really tired. Just finished another class and still really struggling with what all this calling stuff is about. If you guys are reading, keep praying for Carrie and I and the girls. Here are some specifics:<br /><br />1 - Pray for this week that it's restful. We camp from Sunday till Thursday and I'm really excited to just be away in the quiet. <br /><br />2 - Pray for clarity and wisdom. I have no idea what the next year to three years to five years will entail for me, and I'm not sure I really need to know. What I am looking for is the clarity that will spell out some wholehearted passion in what God has called me to for this time.<br /><br />Thank you. We'll look forward to connecting with you all once we get back.Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-30021153541812098332008-08-20T19:19:00.001-07:002008-08-20T19:19:41.467-07:00The Crazy OnesGreat video. Best thing about it is it was made by fans, not staff.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UI2Dka1QIHk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UI2Dka1QIHk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-40495552793337367182008-08-19T21:55:00.000-07:002008-08-19T22:01:42.901-07:00ReconciliationI'm finishing a paper up for my class this quarter. It asks the question of how the writings of Paul and the book of Acts can be used to help lead our churches. The aspect I think I'm going to key in on is the idea of reconciliation.<br /><br />As I read throughout Paul and in Acts, it seems that the mission of the church was to live out the story of God--a story that began with the Creator seeking to reconcile his people to himself. How does this happen? How is this story told? <br /><br />I think that the most clear way of "telling" the story is through lives that are modeling this reconciliation. It's been said that the single largest cause of atheism is Christians... "who acknowledge Jesus with their lips but deny him by their lifestyle." In thinking about the CHURCH... where can we begin to model the reconciliation that God longs to bring to life in the lives of those far from him? Where does this take place?<br /><br />I think it stretches from an individual to a global and cosmic level. What if we began ACTIVELY restoring relationships in the church we each attend? What if we refused to allow disunity? What if we carried this into our communities, toward people we've offended both individually and as church bodies? What if we sought reconciliation at political levels, racial levels, socioeconomic levels, family levels, and on and on and on? <br /><br />Perhaps it's too idealistic, but I think this is the mission we have as storytellers of God's reconciling plan for the universe. <br /><br />Any thoughts?Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-48590154039571570372008-08-16T21:16:00.000-07:002008-08-16T21:23:05.813-07:00The ((((CHURCH))))What is it? When I say a "church planting" in the first entry on this blog, what does that mean? <br /><br />In my mind it's another big group of people meeting on a Sunday morning, singing some songs, and listening to a preacher. What I think we're all looking for is much, much different. Maybe that ((((ASSEMBLING)))) is a part of it. But at a deeper level I think we're stumbling onto something very, very different, and much more costly. <br /><br />We are (or at least I am), looking to shed the 20-some years of Christian subculture I carry with me... the assumption that church must be ((((DONE)))) in one specific way, when I actually believe it is not something to be done, but a group of people to be ((((LIVING)))). It is giving up our guilt-ridden mental hangups and living as Bruce said earlier, with total and unabashed honesty before God and each other. In this honesty we will begin to ((((LIVE)))) differently and as an overflow the honesty will spill out into the lives of those we ((((ENGAGE)))). <br /><br />It will take absolute ((((COURAGE)))). But I think it's worth the ((((RISK)))).Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-27237643305002011802008-08-16T21:15:00.001-07:002008-08-16T21:16:02.332-07:00From Lisa...I'm reposting comments because I don't know if you all get to see them. I think it's great to share the dialog though...<br /><br /><br />I don't feel that excited about the journey....just yet. I feel shaken, rattled and uncomfortable! My beliefs and ideas of how and what a Christian should be has changed. I have to admit...I like the ledger of checks and balances. It gave me a track to run on and a way to say whether I was doing "good" or "bad" at being a Christian. Now, I have no idea what a new kind of Christian should look like. I feel God stirring in my heart but I am more confused than ever!!! I know I need to change and know the church needs to take a new direction….but where and how???<br /><br />At the edge and ready leap…but need a PUSH! Does anybody else feel this way?Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-18415192560492247922008-08-16T21:12:00.001-07:002008-08-16T21:13:12.410-07:00From Bruce...In the comments a couple of posts ago. Thought I'd post this from my favorite drummer... <br /><br /><br />So what are the things that really matter? In my mind it comes down to real relationships. Real relationships have trust and trust comes from the honest knowledge of who a person really is. Seems basic right? Wrong! Are we really honest with each other as Christians? Honest in a way that is not offensive or cynical? Usually not. How do I know? Because I speak from experience (of not being so honest with myself and others a lot of the time). I believe Christ was the perfect example of how the church was supposed to work through his relationships with people one on one. Why was this a great example? Because no one could lie to him. He already knew the truth. If we as Christ’s followers could relate to each other in even a small fraction of the same way he did with his followers, then I think we would be a lot better off. Imagine if you had no choice but to be completely honest with each other? What would it be like to have the ability to see someone with that kind of transparency? So to me, the strongest most meaningful relationships are ones that have a deep trust. If we could start with a new sense of honesty with one another, we would be that much further ahead. We as Christ followers are in desperate need of a filter. A filter of honesty that gets us past the masquerade that is all too prevalent in the church today. We have been given this inner desire to want to feel important and recognized for who we really are. And while this is part of our human nature, it gets in the way and we become false and materialistic. In an attempt to want to fulfill this desire, we loose perspective on what really matters and we can no longer be honest; even with ourselves. Mind you, I am not much interested in a church of people that do nothing but spew their dirty laundry all over the place and depress me with how terrible their lives are in an attempt to gain more false attention. I am interested in a group of followers that will be honest with themselves about themselves. A group that is not worried about impressing others and serving their own self interests. A group of people that can encourage and confront each other in a very loving and honest way. Isn’t that what people really want anyway? For someone to love them for who they really are? It seems to me that at different stages of life, God has a way of humbling us in a big way through different events. It has been my experience that through these events, we have to face this honesty issue right in the face. We have to see ourselves for who we really are. So one must ask, “Why does it take these events for us to be so honest with ourselves?”Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-65178622342522363162008-08-16T21:05:00.000-07:002008-08-16T21:14:38.005-07:00Digging for Ebenezer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.unexco.com/rocks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px;" src="http://www.unexco.com/rocks.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far has the LORD helped us.'" (1 Sam. 7:12)<br /><br />"the... [follower] needs to identify an Ebenezer (1 Sam. 7:12). This marker is a memorial of God’s help. It reminds the starter of God’s call and God’s promise that... in this place is the divine call. The... [follower] must be able, in the midst of doubt and weariness, to look back to that ‘Ebenezer’ moment when God’s direction had been clear and unmistakable.” -- Ed Stetzer<br /><br />This, my friends, is where I find myself. Somewhat digging through rocks and trying to find that Ebenezer stone.<br /><br /><br />Here I raise my Ebenezer<br />Hither by thy help I come<br />And I hope by thy good pleasure<br />Safely to arrive at home<br />Jesus sought me when a stranger<br />Wondering from the fold of God<br />He, to rescue me from danger<br />Interposed His precious blood.Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6267959281697024429.post-47863174432311971732008-08-14T12:35:00.001-07:002008-08-14T12:35:34.444-07:00From Mark...Here's a response from Mark...<br /><br /><br /><br />So as a reply to the Blog:<br />First off I like it a lot! (I did not say love it because I am teaching Kylee and Ashton that love is something reserved for people...we like things we LOVE people!)<br /><br />The idea is wonderful...jumping into the great journey God has for us. Wholeheartedly seeking after that which is unknown, pioneering the untapped wilderness of our souls and seeking what's out there just beyond our very own tiny boxes of reality...<br /><br />...that doesn't make any sense<br />...I can't do that<br />...you can't do that<br />...what if God doesn't...<br />...we can't afford that...<br />...I would NEVER...<br />...it may have just been the voices in my head how do I know it was really GOD?<br /> <br />familiar...Good!<br /> <br />Thoughts from one much smarter than I...<br /> <br />"You would think that having unlimited options would be the platform for freedom, but that is often not the case. We have put so much emphasis on avoiding evil that we have become virtually blind to the endless opportunities for doing good. We have defined holiness through what we seperate ourselves from rather than what we give ourselves to. I am convinced the great tradegy is not the sins that we commit, but the life that we fail to live."<br />And just a few more thoughts...<br /><br />"You can not follow God in neutral. God has created you to do something. It is not enough to stop the wrong and then be paralyzed when it comes to the right. God created you to do good. And doing this requires iniative. There is a subtle danger of hiding apathy behind piety. Getting rid of sin in your life? Great. Now it's time to do something."<br />---Erwin Mcmanus Chasing Daylight<br />So with these words we jump...with God as our witness and sanity and logic as our opposition. God called us to be free (John 8:36)..it does not stop there...<br />International Standard Version (©2008)<br />So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!" <br />New American Standard Bible (©1995)<br />"So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. <br />GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)<br />So if the Son sets you free, you will be absolutely free. <br />King James Bible<br />If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. <br />American King James Version<br />If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. <br />American Standard Version<br />If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. <br />Bible in Basic English<br />If then the son makes you free, you will be truly free. <br />Douay-Rheims Bible<br />If therefore the son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed. <br />Darby Bible Translation<br />If therefore the Son shall set you free, ye shall be really free. <br />English Revised Version<br />If therefore the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. <br />Webster's Bible Translation<br />If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. <br />Weymouth New Testament<br />If then the Son shall make you free, you will be free indeed. <br />World English Bible<br />If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. <br />Young's Literal Translation<br />if then the son may make you free, in reality ye shall be free.<br />...just so we get the point!<br /> <br />We will be free indeed...Now, wasn't the word "FREE" enough...If Jesus said you are free isn't that enough...instead he throws in one more word (translated to english I understand...anyone know the greek on this???)...INDEED as if freedom to his listeners (and us the reader) was not enough. Like he knew they were not getting it..."free indeed". There is no exclamation point in any translation that I found so it is a matter of fact. He was not yelling or emphasizing his point. Jesus was just saying that's the way it is...the rain is going to fall, the sun is going to shine, the wind is going to blow, its like breathing it just...is...that...way. <br /> <br />This is for those who want their children's children telling stories of the crazy old grandparents, to the mother who feels like her only purpose is changing diapers and raising bratty kids, to the men who stand before God saying Lord, Send Me, Cheers to being living legends...indeed.Justin Bowershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14265904583454488979noreply@blogger.com0