Methods on Mission

This morning at Ekklesia Eugene, Ian Stipe discussed that there are various methods used in order to proclaim the message of Jesus to the world. Since the ultimate goal is to share the message, methods are useful and important, but should not be something to be worshipped. These methods have changed to suit different people in each era throughout the times.

He gave us a list of three things that methods are:
1. Tools- they are used to teach the message and help individuals grow in the knowledge of Christ
2. Bread- Just like my favorite Dave’s Killer, methods have a shelf life. After some time, methods get old and moldy.
3. Instruments- Each individual is gifted in a unique way and different methods are useful to different people. God uses each one of us to relay His message in a special way.

Telling people the good news was what Jesus saw as the most important thing to do while He was here on Earth. His main mission was to make sure every single person in His presence would know His Heavenly Father. Jesus preached the gospel everywhere He went, witnessing God’s love to His creation. Jesus also used many different methods in the way He shared and taught the message.

Jesus gave lectures- Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7
Jesus told stories- There are 61 parables of Jesus
Jesus asked questions- He wanted people to have to think deeper about what He was teaching them
“After all, isn’t life worth more than food? And isn’t the body worth more than clothes?” (Matthew 6:25)
Jesus discussed- In John 4, Jesus talks with the Samaritan woman at the well until she understands who He is

As I look at the ways that Jesus proclaimed His own gospel, I can’t help but he grateful that we are not confined to one way of learning and teaching. God created each and every one of us with a unique design in order to not only learn about Him, but also share Him with others effectively. Not everyone can sit and listen to, or let alone give a sermon for two hours. In the same way, stories don’t always speak deeply into the hearts of the listeners, and some do not have the gifting of eloquent storytelling.

I personally love discussion. Small groups, bible studies, or even just long one-on-one conversations with one of my roommates are the most effective ways that I both learn and share Jesus. Through discussion, the question method can be used as well, and commonly, it is used to dive even deeper into the heart and soul of the individual. Even though I may not like the question method, I do learn more once I have to analyze the topic in a different way rather than just receiving an answer. I am blessed to have people to discuss Jesus with and I know that they are gifts that God has placed in my life in order to get to know Him better. God truly does thrive and reveals Himself in our relationships!

How do you share the message of Jesus with the community you have been given? What gifts has God given you that can be used to proclaim Him to others? And also, how has God designed you to receive more of Him? How do you meet Him best? What methods is He using in your life right now? I want to push you and myself to dive deep into these questions and pray that God reveals the ways in which we can be His instruments and tools in our daily lives, in our communities, in our homes, at our schools, in our work places, and for our own spiritual growth.

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Mark 1:17 NIV

Bread (and Juice) of Life

I noticed I find satisfaction in many things in this world. It’s when I am spending time with friends and family, baking warm chocolate chip cookies, hiking Spencer’s Butte, surfing Pinterest, posting countless photos on Instagram, thrifting in Portland, sipping bubble tea, popping popcorn, jogging around the neighborhood, picking blackberries, eating a heap of frozen yogurt, or cuddling up to a movie, that I find myself most happy. These things however, never truly satisfy my soul. Once I am done watching a movie, I want frozen yogurt; when I hike Spencer’s Butte, I want a peanut butter and banana sandwich; when I thrift shop in Portland, when I pick blackberries, I want to jog. Everything that brings me to euphoria always seems to be temporary, but why? Because God made me to only be satisfied with Him and only Him. I may thirst and hunger for more fun, more delicious treats, and more bubble tea, but nothing will truly satisfy my soul eternally like the way He does.

Isaiah 55:1-2
“Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and you will delight in the richest of fare.”

When we come to God with a humble heart, thirsting for more of Him and the wisdom from His Spirit, we are filled with joy that will last our lifetime. Anything that this world offers us only fills our souls for a split second, but then we are on to the next new high. None of the money, hours, or energy we spend attempting to fulfill our hunger will never bless us like Jesus does. It is through Him that we learn more about who we are, who He wants us to become, how we can reach people, how we should think about pressing issues in the world, and most importantly: how to love! These things truly satisfy the soul in a way that new clothes, frozen yogurt, or the best television show ever can.

John 6:35
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

This verse makes me giggle. There has been countless times that I find myself I craving Dave’s Killer Bread. I literally CRAVE the bread! What is it that makes those loaves so gosh dang delicious?! Regardless of how satisfying Dave’s bread is to my taste buds, I pray that I can also crave the bread of life. Jesus is the bread of life and I want Him do be my desire instead of the bread that the world can give me. As silly as this sounds it is real! Imagine what would happen to our souls if we constantly recognized our craving for Jesus as strongly as we desire the things that bring us temporary happiness! That is what i desire to see happen and I encourage each and every one of you to come along side of me and pray that your hearts desire Jesus more that the earthly satisfactions.

Oh and I learned how to juice. I have heard the many benefits of juicing but never actually attempted it until now. This is my yummy concoction from last night an now is my breakfast this morning! I know the picture looks less than appetizing but the taste is more than delicious!
This juice consists of all organic ingredients: Granny Smith apple, beet, celery, parsley, spinach, kale, papaya, peach, plum, kiwi, pear, cucumber, chia seeds and lemon! My tummy and body will thank me.

Lens of Love

Today I was moved while I read Bob Mitchell’s Letter’s to a Young Life Leader. In his twelfth letter, “Why Are You a Young Life Leader?” Bob uses the story from John 21:1-17 to illustrate Jesus’ example of unconditional love towards Peter and his fellow disciples. After a discouraging fishing trip, the men approach the shore empty handed and are greeted by a man whom they do not recognize at first. After hearing Jesus instruct them to throw the net on the right side of the boat, they realize this man is none other than their savior Christ. As Peter hears Jesus, he jumps out of the boat into the water and hurries to him to be with him on the shore. Once the men are on land, Jesus has breakfast ready for his exhausted and starving disciples.

I love the image of Peter jumping ship just so that he can be with Jesus upon hearing His voice; a sheep listening to its shepherd. Peter loves Jesus enough to sacrifice the comfort of his warm, dry boat for the true satisfaction he will find once he is in the presence of his savior. All he wants is to be with Jesus, even if it means getting a little uncomfortable.

How many times have I refrained from being with Jesus because I was unwilling to sacrifice my comfort, time, routine, plans? Shamefully, countless. Peter had denied Jesus three times, and when he had this chance to be with The Lord, he was not going to miss it. Jesus wants our time now. He doesn’t care how many times we fail to meet with Him. Jesus just wants us to desire Him in our hearts! I pray for my own heart to deepen in the desire to put my comfort aside and listen for His word and presence.

When the men are on land, Jesus knows they are hungry and tired and he makes a meal for them to eat. Bob highlights the fact that Jesus fed their physical needs first before anything else. This opens a whole new can of worms for ministry. When we are attempting to share the gospel with others, “we may need to deal with their personal needs first” (Mitchell, 71). Then, and only then, will they be more willing to accept the gospel that we share with them after they are physically fed.

By observing Jesus’ example, we can see that dealing with physical needs or “social action” that incarnates his character even before we share his loving gospel. Jesus declares, “If you love me, feed my sheep.” Once we love our savior, we are capable of truly loving others. It is this kind of love that he displays that I hope to share with others whether they are deep in their relationship with Jesus or non-believers.

Once we see people how God sees them, we can love them the way he does. As Bob wisely writes, “Love always sharpens our vision. We see all things differently when we look through the eyes of love. We see the world differently with all of its hurt and brokenness” (Mitchell, 70-71). When we see people who need love, we must first approach them in a loving way with an intention to address their physical needs and then their need of a savior.

As I addressed before, this kind of love can only come from a true love for Jesus. When we truly and deeply love Him, we naturally desire to want to draw closer to Him and jump ship just like Peter did in John’s story. Once we spend time with Him, we start to understand what true love really feels and looks like. It is only then when we can really show true love to others. It is the kind of love that Jesus shows each one of us. It is through the lens of the Jesus kind of love!

Waffles, Friends, Thrifting, and Leavening

Yesterday was a whirlwind of excitement. I finally got to spend much needed time with the beautiful Allie Fantozzi and Emilie Ely, two ladies that I absolutely adore. Their hearts are so full of Jesus and every time I see them I feel incredibly blessed. We started out our day munching on waffles and sipping on coffee at Eugene’s Off the Waffle. I had won a free Goat in the Headlights, which consisted of one liege waffle topped with two sunny-side up eggs, avocado, goat cheese, and basil. It was absolutely delicious!

Post waffles, we decided to hit up the thrift stores and take advantage of St. Vinnie’s 50% off clothing and book sale. I must say, I scored some great deals! MY favorite find of the day was Anne Graham Lotz’s Daily Light for Every Day. It is a daily devotional which a message for both day and night along with scripture for each. Here is today’s:

I have been focusing on the love that Romans 12:9-21 describes. In the midst of beginning the school year and community living, This kind of sincere love is crucial. In Daily Light, the idea that we should hate what is evil and cling to what is good speaks to me clearly in a way that we do not have time to focus on the negative with our communities and loved ones. We need to put away our quarreling and show one another true love, looking out for each other’s best. I pray that I see more of this kind of love throughout this next year within myself and my community.

Finishing off the day, I attended Taylor Carlton’s birthday dinner celebration at BJ’s. It was wonderful getting to spend time and laughter with some lovely church friends. Taylor is such a beautiful young woman inside and out and I was thrilled to get to celebrate her 20 years of life!