Exiled?

I'm reading a new book, Mark Driscoll's The Radical Reformission. It's about Christians being on mission for Christ by taking the gospel to their culture in order to change lives that will change their culture for the Kingdom of God.

I was reading this morning and he states that God sends us into exile (much like the Israelites of the Old Testament) to influence a culture that otherwise wouldn't hear the gospel. He, himself, speaks of his place of ministry, Seattle, Washington. He would have never chose to go there to plant a church. . .but God did.

I began to think about that in conjuction with being in the valley and wondered if God doesn't allow us to experience valley times in our lives so we can influence others for the Kingdom of God? Like our valley experiences are periods of exile. Now that does assume we are willing to be used by God and for God while we are in the valley. We don't have to, you know?! We could just sit and wallow in the mire of our valley experience hoping that one day something will change.

Mark didn't, and doesn't, have to allow himself to be used by God in what he calls "the most politically liberal, expensive yet unchartitable, and least churched yet most self-righteous cities in the nation" (p. 131). But he does. He allows God to use him in an area most Christians would cringe and whine like a spoiled brat of a child if they were to learn God was "exiling" them to such a place.

God is about furthering His Kingdom. The question I ask is, Will you help with the expansion process? Even if you're in the valley?

Expanding in Exile,
Mike

Encountering God on the Journey

I recently finished reading Donald Miller's book, Through Painted Deserts. It's about a journey. It's about leaving and becoming. It's about starting something and seeing it through.

Donald and a friend (Paul) leave Houston in a '71 VW Van - pretty cool, huh - for Oregon, but on the way Donald finds God in the craziest of places and in the oddest of circumstances.

Valley travelers - sound familiar? Those of us in the midst of the valley are on a journey. We are on a journey of discovery, trust, obedience, following, movement, rest and a host of other focuses, yet, we are still on a journey. And we find God in the craziest of places - hotels, the living rooms of old and new friends, parks, on the back of a Harley. Even see God move in the oddest of circumstances - new people at Starbucks, transients on Sunday morning, watching our pets love us even when we're angry at them.

Those are some of mine. What are some of yours? What have you left to become what God wants you to become? Where has God revealed himself in your journey? What circumstances has unexpectedly drawn you closer to the presence of God?

I would still like to own a VW Van - like a Harley - always have, always will. That would be cool, don't you think?

Leaving and learning,
Mike

Contentment in the Valley

I haven't posted anything in quite a while, as you probably already know. I have had some of you ask me about this. "Where's the lesson?" "You have so much to offer." "Others can learn from your experience." They're right. . .I guess. But I woke up one day and didn't want to do it anymore. I didn't want to write because I felt I had to, but because I wanted to. I wanted to post lessons because there was a worthwhile lesson to post. I want to help other valley travelers, no doubt, but I want to do it with the appropriate heart, the appropriate motivation.

I woke up this morning and felt that motivation. . .that desire. . .to share. So here's where I am. Hope it helps where you are:

Since Karen's passing last May I have struggled to find contentment. I WAS content with everything - being married to my best friend and lover, serving in a wonderful, grace-filled church, living in a growing and transitioning community where even outsiders like Karen and me are welcome. I would have loved to have had children with Karen, but we had so many other children we could invest in - Seth, Aubrey, Spence, Dallas, Laura Leigh, Bryce, and others - what a beautiful blessing we were able to enjoy. So, yeah, I was pretty content.

Then Karen passed away and everything changed. Not only did I lose my best friend, my lover, and fellow dreamer, but God called me to a different community, a new church, and away from my "children." I had to learn contentment all over again, and I didnt' like it!

Wish I could say it was easy, but it wasn't . I didn't want to be single! I didn't want to be alone! I didn't want to be away from friends and family! I wanted things to be like they were before, but they weren't.

In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul writes "for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." (Phil 4:10) Did you catch that? He says he has learned to be content. I, too, have learned to be content. I didn't realize until the other night when I was at the house catching up on some things I haven't had time for recently because of my schedule. I just remember realizing that I am content. I'm OK! I'm going to be OK. For the first time in almost a year I felt content with where I am and living life without Karen, without my family and friends, without my last church family. Do I still miss Karen, the people of Carpenter's Way, my friends, and our families - durn straight, I do! But. . .it's OK.

Paul went on to say that he learned contentment because also learned that he could do all things through Him who gives him strength. That Him is Christ. That strenght is the strength to continue, to face new challenges, to face tomorrows, to face change. I can relate to that, what about you, fellow journeyman(woman)? Have you learned to be content, yet? Maybe that's what God is waiting on. . .your learning to be content in whatever your circumstances, because it's in Christ we find that contentment - not our friends, family, occupation, stuff, church, position, status, or even ourselves. We find it in Christ!

I must warn you in advance - this is not an easy lesson to learn. It takes time. It takes prayer. It takes trust. But, in the end, it is well worth it.

Copacetic with Contenment :)
Mike