Little Jesus

I read this the other day and thought to myself, "Why didn't I post this?!?!" So here it is. This was written January 18th this year.

 

There seem to be many “Christians” who don’t know what a Christian is. Maybe they say they're a Christian, but deep down they feel that there is more to it than what they have, something that is difficult to put to words. The original definition has changed from when it was originally used, and there are many who believe Jesus and who are trying to figure out what they should call themselves.

Some people think “Because I’m a Christian, I am going to conserve energy and take care of the planet.” Others think, “I’m going to go to church, read my Bible and pray”. There are many thoughts. “I’m a Christian, so I should do…” and the premise is that doing these things are what makes them a Christian.

I do my best to care for what God has given me, to read the Bible and communicate with God, and to get involved in the church wherever I go, BUT that is not what makes me a Christian. What makes me a Christian is when I act on what Jesus said, in essence, I become like Jesus.

At the moment I am teaching Bible classes. I’m leading worship for a couple churches on occasion. I’m discipling a worship team and even the leadership team of a church here. I’m helping repair bikes for people who can’t afford a bike. I’m spending time meditating on the Bible and I’m spending time seeking God in times of prayer. I’m trying to recycle and to eat healthy. BUT none of those things make me a Christian.

What makes me a Christian is not what I do, but how I do it and why I do it. Christian basically means “little Jesus” or "like Jesus". So while I may be “saved,” I am not a Christian until I am acting like Jesus (living by his teachings). This is the standard we should set for ourselves as “Christians”. We cannot accept complacency in our faith. If we lack the faith, if we do not have the heart to tell others about Jesus when we wake up in the morning, we need to go to God and beg him for that burden.

I sincerely want to be a Christian wherever I go, a REAL on-earth Jesus. Yes, the beginning is believing Jesus is who he said he was, but it isn't complete until we act on what he taught. I am beginning to realize how important it is that I dedicate myself to learning Jesus’ teachings and instructions, and to take his teachings to heart, praying that they would give me a humble and pure motive in all I do and show through my hands and feet among my church, my neighbors, my work colleagues. So that I can be a Christian.

It doesn’t automatically make me a Christian when I "believe" in Jesus. It’s when I am like Jesus. I guess you could say actions equate authentic belief. It’s an impossible endeavor I am challenged to pursue with the help of the Spirit of God, my Helper and Teacher.

As Jesus said to the disciples before he left them “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). They couldn’t do the impossible task laid out for them on their own, and neither can I.

Before the Spirit came on the disciples, they were afraid. They were hiding from the authorities. I see this within me and as the norm in the church. Many are afraid. Many are hiding, unsure of sharing about Jesus, the best news EVER. Maybe all we need to do is go into rooms and pray together that the Spirit would come, that he would give us what he gave the disciples…and then wait, and hope and pray.

Communing with other Believers is AWESOME, but Christians are meant for more than 'church'. The example Jesus gave us was going to the world, and that is what we should do -- in prayer and with the help of the Spirit.

Late Train

The train was an hour late.

I ended up going just outside of the station and playing my guitar…in the rain. There was a precipice giving me a few feet of relative dryness, but it felt really nice to be outside.

After a few songs someone joined me, sitting about twenty feet away, and gave me a few dollars. I kept playing for about half and hour. After I had finished I made my way back towards the waiting area of the station, passing by the man who had given me the tip. 

As I passed he thanked me for playing and told me it was what he needed. He had cried. I shook his hand and asked him if he was a Believer. He said “Yes” and began to tell me some of his story. He was in a lot of pain over leaving Montana. I sat next to him and listened, the rain still falling a few inches from our feet. As he spoke I thanked God for leading me and blessing this man through me. His name was Ray.

The Best Party EVER!

A though I had this past week: "I would rather be broken before God than partying without him."

It saddens me when I think of people I know who don't realize how much more beautiful and hopeful God is than anything we can get from Western culture (or anywhere on earth for that matter).

It's hard to think of what people forfeit...for something that is so temporary.

I can't wait to party at God's table with his wine and his food enjoying him and every other person who is beautifully dressed in his forgiveness and his grace. Doesn't that sound awesome!?!? Forever and ever! And ever. Oh yeah...and ever. No worries. No fears. No sadness. No hang overs. No, "Oh no, what did I do last night?" Just Perfect Love : )

Come to think of it, I experienced something very close to this last week. I am so excited to pass through death into life. Thank you Jesus.

Wanting What's Heavenly

"Thanks for the encouragement. I was excited to talk about the Holy Spirit, but I also felt really unqualified. I am always learning every day to listen to God. Some days are better than others. I totally have to rely on God's grace."

What is written above is from an e-mail I sent to a friend who encouraged me after listening to a teaching I gave in April this year called, "Now What? - Holy Spirit".

Whenever I write an e-mail or letter that is more spiritually focused I think of Paul's letters, and I sometimes wish to myself that I could write with such conviction and authority. How was Paul able to do all that he was called to do? Was he just that much more dedicated to seeking God and learning about the Spirit? What did he have to work with? He didn't have the New Testament! Well, ok, I guess he was chosen by God to write half of it, so he kind of was the New Testament walking around!

Paul learned from the disciples' accounts, directly from them, and then he dedicated himself to those eye-witness accounts. But it wasn't just that. His calling was to take the gospel to the non-Jews of the time.

Does God choose people based on something he sees in them to accomplish his task? Or does he choose them and then provide what they need? I guess he does both. What were Paul's prayers like? What was his prayer life like? What did he tell people in the churches to do?

I have to admit. I get excited about reading the New Testament. Then I read it, and I struggle applying it to my life. How am I supposed to do this without help?

Jesus says that he sends a Helper, the Holy Spirit, who will dwell in us and lead and guide us. Why is it so hard for me to listen to him? I feel like I do some of what he says, but only every once in a while, enough for me to believe that he is there. Then there are times I don't even realize he's talking to me and I brush the thoughts aside, even if they keep coming again and again, until I finally realize days or months later that it was the Spirit of Jesus.

Most of the time I'm doing my own thing. But then there are times I ask for his help, and I don't feel anything...except my weaknesses. And I wonder, "Am I just playing games with God? Am I the guy James talks about who asks for wisdom and doubts, so I shouldn't expect to receive anything?"

How can I do this without the Spirit? And what do I have to do to get the Spirit to help me? What should I do, PERIOD.

Today I'm tired. I'm wanting more. I remember times I was walking in the Spirit daily. I remember how I would meditate and stop and rest and sit before God without any agenda...ever. And when it was time to get up, I would. Today...I feel a restlessness. I sit for thirty seconds and I'm done. I don't understand what's going on inside of me.

I think on the outside I want to look like I want heavenly things, but deep down there is a craving for earthly things. And I want that desire for heavenly things to move from the outside to the inside, but I don't know how. God, help me kill my selfishness. Help me to want you more than anything else. Help me to submit myself to you.

______

It's been a few days since I wrote the above. Since then God has revealed to me that deeper than anything that is in me, at the very core, is a desire for heavenly things that He has planted in me. Thank you Jesus.

"How much do you want Me?" 

I recently had a good friend of mine ask me, "What is God teaching you?" This has got to be one of the best questions, and perhaps one of the most important. I believe that God intended all believers to be both learners and teachers. Children and adults, doctors and students, hippies and gang-bangers, codgers and 20-somethings, musicians and mechanics. We can all learn from each other when we ask each other this question. When God is teaching us something, I believe he wants us to multiply it through the way we live and through dialogue.

When I ask someone "What is God teaching you?" I have a couple agendas. First off, I am asking that person to teach me. I love to learn, and I am oftentimes encouraged when I hear of what other believers are learning from God. I am also hoping to encourage that person to process and wonder at what God is teaching them (because I know how easy it is to just keep moving and not take time to pause and consider what God is teaching us).

So...What is God teaching me? The question that was posed to me this week was, "How much do you want Me?" Honestly. It's hard to want a Person who is so hard to comprehend, and it's all too easy for me to want other things more (vague, I know...but true). A friend of mine told me about how she has been praying that God would give her a strong desire to be with him, to love him more than anything else. And he answered that prayer this week for her when she woke up on Friday morning. I think I'm going to start asking God to give me that kind of desire for him, to help me desire him with everything. It's so easy to get focused on myself and what I want. I'm asking for him to put my heart in line with his heart for my life, to desire the things that he desires, and to trust that he plans to give me everything good that I desire in his timing.

What is God teaching you?

My Life in a Day

I created this short film to share a basic picture with people of what my life is like here in Wisconsin on a weekday. The time of filming is January.

Spirit-led Worship

The ongoing classes have been stupendous! I have had so many positive responses. But the most exciting thing that has happened as of late has been growth in the worship team. 

One of the biggest concerns I have for worship teams in the West is to help them step out of the structured worship when the Spirit is leading. The people on the worship team at Remedy have such great hearts, and one of the privileges I've had here is to speak into the group and help guide them into following the leading of the Spirit. 

So, since being here God has been guiding me in helping the worship team to not be afraid when the Spirit is leading, to find the freedom to flow with him and let him lead. It’s been going great, and this past week was a huge breakthrough!

That weekend God put on my heart to tell Amy, the worship leader, some things in regards to worship that would encourage her and help her "go with the flow". The conversation went so well, and that Sunday ended up being the best time of worship I’ve had with the band yet. It was clearly evident that Amy was free and following the Spirit, and we all went with it. 

Afterwards I heard people saying that God really spoke to them during the time of worship. SO AWESOME!!! There really was a freedom that flowed throughout the whole congregation.

Later that day Amy wrote to me, “Joel, I know I say this all the time but thank you so much for all you are doing all Remedy! I thank you today specifically for what you are doing with the band - thank you for allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you to show us how to truly worship!!! God's doing amazing work here! And it is so great to have you a part of the band each week. Love you bro!”

My favorite part is, “Love you bro!”  : )

Pouring Love

In Romans 5:5 Paul says that one of the roles of the Spirit is to pour God’s Love into us. As I pondered this I realized that this is exactly what has been happening to me over the past few months. 

There have been many moments where I might be driving or kneeling in prayer or riding my bike and the Spirit will suddenly start doing something (like pouring Love into me) and I’ll just start crying. It’s hard to put these experiences into words. All I can usually say in response is, “Thank you.”

Fellowship: Welcoming Everyone Like Family

This past Wednesday night we showed a film about Fellowship at Remedy. As I set it up I told Bob, “This is one of the main reasons my generation is leaving the church.” Immediately he asked me what I meant. I replied, “My generation wants community, and for many in my generation, all they have found is a service. They want more than a service. They want more than a ‘Good morning’, a ‘Hello’, or a handshake. They want a community.”

Bob then told me that being a father and a husband (and not single), he spends most of his spare time with his family. He asked what that looked like for him. I paused for a second before responding. Then a thought came to mind. God’s been teaching me something that everyone can do. It’s simple, but it’s powerful.

A few weeks ago Bob told me that people, when asked to describe Remedy, said that it was a very welcoming place. Upon entering they explained that they felt loved and accepted. After Bob said this to me another thought came to mind. This is what it was, “This is the way people should feel when they meet you. The people in Remedy should be following the example of Remedy.”

So I began to ask myself that question. “Am I like Remedy?” When people meet me, do they feel welcomed, loved, cared for, accepted…no matter who they are? I thought of the people who I tend to welcome, and those who I tend to shy away from. It was embarrassing to consider. Since then, whenever I interact with people I ask myself, “Does this person really know that they are totally welcomed and loved by me?” and everything changes!

I’ve even been going back to the people who I realize that I didn’t treat in this way (though I was nice) because of their appearance or demeanor. It’s a beautiful and freeing thing to be able to show such welcome and love to anyone. As I’ve been doing this, I’ve been reminded of a quote I once wrote down from a powerful teacher. He said, “You will learn more about Jesus when you live like him for 10 minutes than you ever will by listening to 10 years of sermons.”

We all want to be loved and cared for, to feel like we matter. The challenges is that we, as “the church,” need to take the initiative in engaging the world in that way, letting people know that they are welcome into this family instead of leaving that responsibility to the building on Sunday mornings.

Bob’s response was to have me share this before the “Greeting Time” at the Sunday service.

Unsettled

I was recently accepted to YWAM Salem in Oregon as a missionary.  Just this week I got a train ticket and had a final date set for when I am leaving Sheboygan, WI.  I already feel the unsettled-ness awakening within me as I am preparing to leave yet another "home".

It’s hard to feel that unsettled-ness again.  I was enjoying so much having that security in not having anything laid out for a departure.  It's not easy not having a "home".

Thinking about the bigger picture, I know I will at some point be done with my time here on earth and I know that I will not be falling into darkness, but rather awakening into light, PRAISE GOD!  And I will be there forever.  I won’t have to feel unsettled anymore, for the rest of eternity.  But while I’m here and while Jesus hasn't returned yet, I need to be willing to give that up for him, because his kingdom is much more important.  It’s easy to get down or get distracted by all that stuff though. 

Talking about this is such an encouragement to me because it reminds me that it’s all going to be worth it in the end.  It get’s my focus off of the immediate things I want and onto the incredible, immeasurable gifts that Jesus has promised for those who do seek him out with all their heart,listen to his words, and do what he says within whatever part of the world they live.

I don’t ever want to forget how worth it giving up everything for God’s kingdom is, yet it’s one of the easiest things to forget.  Being a human, I oftentimes pray that he reminds me of that in his grace.

If God is putting on my heart to constantly be moving to places without a real home for the sake of his kingdom how sad would it be to compromise eternity in heaven to have an earthly home for 60 years?  If God is putting on my heart to not worry about my 401k how sad would it be to be so focused on it that I compromise God’s eternal 401k?

Seeking God with everything and doing what he says is worth it.  He has a different path for each of us, and the first step we must take is to let go of our own idea of what the path should look like – or what our culture says the path should look like – and to SEEK that God would humble us and help us to trust and walk in the path that he says it should look like no matter how weird, uncomfortable, or scary it is.

This short clip of Francis Chan encourages me.

Riding my bike allows me to move more slowly in life and enjoy seeing things I normally wouldn't, like a line of little children paying no attention to their teacher's request to jump "over" the puddle instead of in it, a high school boy hitting a girl with a snowball, or several people walking their dogs.  These little things bring me a lot of joy.

One morning
I rode
my bike to
the lake area
and saw this
fishing
boat
resting by
the dock.
It looked so peaceful.



On Valentines Day
I was given this
little owl created
by a woman who
goes to my church.
Probable the best
Valentines candy I have
ever seen in my life.


I was at Salvation Army
the other day
and found
this one piece
snow suit.
 I didn't buy it,
but I had to
try it on
for fun.
It almost fit.



I go for walks every
now and again
around the block
when I need a break.
One particular day
I saw this really
cool shadow cast on
the side of a church.

Since I have arrived
in Sheboygan
I have been
unbeatable at
Scrabble,
except for a friend's
grandma.
She and I
are now one for
one.  We need a
tie breaker  : )

In January I participated in a 21-day
Daniel fast - also known as a Vegan
fast. Most of the church community
was involved (fasting in various ways).
It was meant to encourage a deeper
dedication to God and to help form
better habits and vision as we enter into
the year 2012.  It definitely did the job.
 

There was construction planned
to be happening in my first home,
and since I'm going to be here at least
until June we decided it best for me to
move to a new home.  Luckily I was
invited to move in with a great couple
who has already had three boys, and lives
in the same area just a few blocks away.


I am getting to know the new
neighbors just a bit.  Here's
one of them hanging out
in the front yard.  He doesn't
like to be around people
very much, but I do see him
more regularly than the other
neighbors.



I have been teaching
five Inductive Bible
Study classes over
the past six weeks
or so.  Thought I'd show you
the classroom and
at least some
of the students.


They all leave
with a whole new
perspective on the
Bible and
hungry to dig
deeper into it.
It's been fun to
teach these classes.

Perfect Timing

When I returned in January I didn't have a car, so I was biking everywhere (and really enjoying it by the way : ). I was seriously praying about buying a car though. One Sunday a guy came up to me and said he wanted to get together.  That next Saturday I sat there and listened to him tell me that two days before he was unexpectedly offered a new job, he accepted it, he would be moving in three weeks, and he was getting a new car (basically his whole life changed). He then told me "Last night God put on my heart to just give my car away to someone." I sat there thinking to myself, "No way God. No way." 

I asked him if God put anyone on his heart. He said, "I have no idea." I told him my situation and that he shouldn't feel obligated to give me his car, but to give it to whoever God puts on his heart. The next day, Sunday, he said, "Joel. We need to talk. God confirmed it last night as I was praying. The car is yours." I couldn't believe it.

Sunday Service 

“Listening to Joel's sermon today was truly multidimensional.  I found it impossible to not feel his passion, sincerity and utter joy in giving and serving.  He was gentle in his manner, yet unmistakably bold in his statements.  Please share this with him.  Leading by serving is what I feel the disciples were a pure example of.  You, Amy and Joel embody what leading with a pure heart looks like.” - an e-mail to Pastor Bob

I am excited to hear that people are responding with open hearts.  We are continuing to pray for guidance as we share God’s vision for the church to be a place where every believer is equipped and prepared by the leaders to minister God’s love and grace within their community.

The church I am a part of has been doing a 21-day fast for January.  There are a lot of good stories that have come out of this fast, some pretty incredible transformation.  But that's not what hit me this week.  I was hit by how much God cared about me fulfilling the commitments I make to him, and how easy it was for me to be casual about my commitments.

It came out when I was recalling a story I heard earlier that week about someone who compromised their fast with the though, "God understands."  As it came out I actually started to cry.  I could feel the sadness that God had in his heart regarding that attitude.  I remember saying, "He loves us so much.  How can we say that our commitments to God don't matter, just because he understands?" 

I had stopped praying during the fast, and God was showing me that within my own heart the fast had become religious.  That was why it was so easy for me to write off my commitment.

I have returned to prayer and have been asking for God's grace to be my strength and to humble me to live in light of how much he has shown his love for us.  And to live this beyond the fast.

Lately, when I am tempted to compromise my commitment to God, a certain song continues to come to mind: "How Deep the Father's Love for Us."

Comments from my Classes 

“Wait, I don’t want to stop yet. What happens next?”

“Thank you so much for such a fantastic class. We never thought that learning about the Bible could be so exciting.”

“From what I learned tonight in doing an inductive Bible study, I don't think I'll EVER look at the Bible in the same way again, and it actually gives me goosebumps! :)”

The students are learning and growing so much.  I'm blown away by the comments my students make sometimes.  Some are so excited about what they're learning that they are already teaching what they learn with others!  So excited for what God is doing.  He is really using these classes to transform people and give them a hunger for him and his Word  : )

A few fun experiences I've had here in Sheboygan, WI.  Just a few.

I was riding
my bike
early in the
morning by
the lake when
I found these
two ducks
chillin' out
on this little
island of ice.
 

I'm making a lot of good friends here in
Sheboygan. One of which was this squirrel
who I met while I was going for a walk around
the block. He actually came up to me, stood on
his hind legs, leaned in, and put his paws on
my leg.  It was almost like a little squirrel hug
actually. I was wearing my brown corduroys so
maybe he thought I was a tree.


I found
the
coolest
bathroom
(located
at the
Kholer
Arts
Center).
Enough said.



While riding my bike
I found this fence
built
around this tree,
as if it was growing out
of the fence. Never seen
anything like it
before.