Thank you for displaying this wedding picture of the newly weds. We are praying for the two of you for what all God may have in store for you in the future. God bless this marriage always.

YOU ARE LOVED AND YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!!!!!

To me, the question causes a kind of visceral response that to be a disciple, is to be crucified with Christ. Death to anything that hinders love and this call of Christlikeness. I know this process takes years, but for several years I've felt an increased urgency to let go of my life and lifestyle. My lifestyle seems modest when compared to some, but I realized not long ago that the reason we feel ok about our lifestyles and think it's normal, is because the world has become so abnormal from what God created it to be. If you really study the 1st disciples, the beginnings of our church, there is nothing normal about American Christianity, and the lifestyle to which we've become accustomed. I've also been studying a little about Constantine, and what he did to Christianity....we lost something precious and necessary, part of our heritage that we needed to understand our faith. I'm praying for a hunger for the word of God to provoke us to search Him out. For an understanding of the love of God, so absolutely necessary in order to be able to love Him back. In order to really begin to get a picture of His love, you have to totally expose every dark corner of your soul to Him, and face the depths of your depravity. I guess that's why He said "those who are forgiven much, love much."
They have an understanding of His love because they understand the depth of their sin, and grasp that His love is still there...and not only that, He takes pleasure in them. Who can help but fall in love with a God like that?! It makes me want to get rid of every sin. Being dark, yet being called lovely, makes you want to grow up into that loveliness. Does that make sense? My God says I'm a "lilly among thorns", and it just makes me want to be what He sees inside me, because I want above all to give God pleasure. Maybe that's a disciple...to live in such a way that you give God pleasure.

In the bible the disciples were so human. Sometimes that gives me comfort, when I read about them walking with Christ yet arguing over who will sit next to him in heaven. I can relate to those selfish desires. Other times however it scares me, Mike pointed out in a serman a few weeks back that in John 6 verse 66 that many of his disciples left, it seemed that it was too hard to follow Christ. To this day I find that road difficult as well. Could I ever just leave or stop trying. That really frightens me. Wondering what I'm capable of. Yes Lisa knowing my sins it's emotional to think Jesus may think of me as a lilly among thorns. I'm not sure however if he would be talking about a person who stands out among others or if he would be referring to who I was created to be versus who I am, buried deep amidst my sins that weight me down each step I try and walk. Sometimes I feel my very sins are choking me. I know I'm forgiven but I want to be someone that needs a little less forgiveness and brings a little more pleasure to God. It's an uneasy feeling to know I can love and beleive in God so much yet walk such a crooked path at times. A disciple in my mind is someone who loves God and then walks a path that exemplifies that love.

A disciple is one who has become sickeningly contagious with Christ. We focus on what I can do or how a person should live or do this and not that instead of radically focusing on Christ for each and every movement. And it's through that, Christ makes us contagious not ourselves or a lifestyle. The Word speaks that is through grace that we have been saved not through works. I would go a step farther to say that it's through Christ that we are continually being saved or made more contagious BUT not through our works.

Grace IS free, but following will cost you everything. That's what I mean by lifestyle...God will love me no less or no more whether I ever do ANYTHING....and that's why I want a lifestyle that affords me the freedom to serve Him, not be a slave to things or a taskmaster because I'm up to my ears in debt. I want to say "be warm" AND hand them the coat. How about our homes? We'll certainly serve the poor but go live in their neighborhood???? I'm just more than a little disgusted with myself at this point. I'm under no condemnation from God at all, I'm just seeing the truth of our culture and what we think of as 'normal' lifestyle. And if faith without works is dead, then I think it has everything to do with how I spent that dash on my headstone.
I agree that the focus needs to be on Christ every second...but how can it be if we constantly distract ourselves with the things of this life? I'm getting free. And I'm doing it by focusing on One thing and One thing only. Psalm 27:4.Looking at the beauty of Jesus Christ, and seeking Him. Coming back to my first love and letting Him love me. (yeah, we can refuse that in a million ways, even as believers.) That is changing the chemistry of my entire relationship to God. The chemistry of my brain too perhaps!
I don't think Suzanne, it's about the Lilly standing out from the others, but that among the thorns of our sin,the ugly parts, God still sees and takes pleasure in us. I see thorns..He sees both, but enjoy's the Lilly all the same. I see I am dark...He sees beauty. Our outward condition is no obstacle to His love. He's looking at the reach of our heart...and no matter how broken our love is, it's still real love to Him. The word tells us to pray that He will make us faithful to the end. And Jesus said if we pray according to God's will, He will give us what we ask for. So do that and rest. I see the reach of your heart...it's evident to even a human like me.

One who follows another or group based on belief is a disciple. It’s foundationally undesirable to attract members with anything less than Biblical values. When an organization ignores its stated purpose it usually fails or becomes insignificant. Once the charter is defined and the template set they must be upheld to be consistent with the goal. This is not to say that all should not be invited; only that the message be clear and unwavering.

Mike,

It's refreshing to hear someone still talking about making disciples. I could not agree more with your comments!

I like Dallas Willard's take on discipleship in "The Divine Conspiracy." We become apprentices to Jesus, learning Kingdom living from the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. It's up to each of us and all of us together to unpack what that means.

Blessings!

Congrats on your sons marriage.

we know education is an important part of discipleship, but can end up being only that. How is Ginghamsburg changing to the model you are speaking of?

Mike I read your blog on "Priesthood of all Believers" with great interest. I spent my first fifty years as a Christian as a member of a denomination that emphasised this docrtrin very strongly. The problem that I saw with this doctrine, was the lack of a strong "professonal" leaership to lead and disciple a "pristhood of all believers." Coming to Ginghamsburg has shown me was a difference "profeesional leadership" can do to develop a priesthood of all believers. I am enjoying my servanthood role under the leadership of professionals with clear lines of authority and accountability. Keep on keeping on your Spirit lead ministry

I too believe strong leadership is indispensible. The Worker is worth his/her keep. I can't really see there being a sense of unity or belonging w/o people to believe in & trust for your growth. I was just wondering how a church would make that transition from paid staff to little or no paid staff. When some are immature or lack growth or a sense of balance & priorities, those who are paid step in to pick up the slack. I know that's not ideal, but it's reality I think. I have trouble with believing people being able to function at the level of efficiency & unity as paid staff. They usually have other jobs, etc. I'm wondering how that would work effectively. Anyone? Sincerely, MC

I believe that leadership is very important in a church body. It brings to light the whos, whys, and whats of our walks as children of God. I have learned so much at Ginghamsburg thanks to the pastors and other leaders. I have learned what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and have a better understanding of why my involvement with the church is so important. I love to volenteer, and so see those who are struggling come to a safe and loving enviornment and learn about Jesus and what he did for others. Thank you all for bringing all fo this to light for me. And bless you Mike, for inspiring me.

I've always thought that church buildings are anchors many times, resulting in slowing the church activity and mission down. The tent of meeting was a better system in many respects. It was portable, could be set up quickly, and didn't need electricity or fuel oil! Church buildings are both a blessing and a curse. I think we need to re-think the necessity of church buildings and go back to the practices of the early church.

Tents probably would be a good idea for meeting. Our culture & generation is so conditioned to comfort. There is something about meeting together all in one place as many as possible. Let's face it, it was pretty good weather there in Israel back then & people were used to limited furnishings, etc. Now in the warmer states, it would make sense to have minimal coverage, but I guess we have to deal where we are. What about tent meetings in warm weather & building meetings in cold weather. or another pole barn. Those things are pretty good. You could even slap some solar panels on or solar shingles & tell people that the "cheese stick" party is over. The coffees not bad but why can't we just bring a cup from home as long as it's just coffee in there. ha, ha. Sometimes people like to have it a little rough to feel they are strong or that they can handle it. Maybe meet all together to keep the collective vision going & meet more often in homes. I don't know. I'm just rambling. A portable stage would be cool with maybe some angels doing the singing in the background. If God would go for it, what a sweet thing I'd put together. Maybe if I keep asking, I may just talk Him into it. One never knows.

I've been reading of people beginning to share their homes with other families who are experiencing hard times. It helps them pay their house payment and the other family gets a home. Maybe what we need to do as Christ's body, is do the classes, bible study's etc in our homes, and begin to share our buildings with other churches, sharing both the expense of staff, buildings, etc. There are 7 days a week to have service. Theoretically, you could have 5-7 churches meet in one building, depending on how many services each needed. Of course, we're talking about demonstrating a level of unity we are no where near yet, and letting go of programs....but just a thought. I know of a Messianic church that shares space with another church. I think the diversity COULD be really cool, if the Bride showed up.

Im thankful to be in a church that doesnt want to build and ask for money every 5 mins for it and to use its income wisely for the mission and purpose to do his will.

Mike, One of the many things I have always respected about you and Ginghamsburg was the focus on ministry and mission over brick and mortar. I can't tell you how many times I have been to Ginghamsburg and thought, "Man, this building really IS modest for a congregation this size!" We are running three services, looking into multisite, trying to minimize building cost... and you have been a huge inspiration in that. So thanks for being a prophetic voice in this age of bigger and better.

I agree. Jesus certainly did not need "bricks and mortar" to fulfill his mission.

Even though Jesus traveled around the area teaching, preaching & healing, He spent a good deal of time in the synagogues preaching even though most of the time He wasn't welcome by the Jewish leaders. They're thinkin', "He's gonna undermine authority." So while He didn't "work" for the brick & mortar so to speak in the sense of the priests, He did spend time there teaching. I guess just not all the time. We live in the 21st century. We can't expect our ministries to look exactly like Jesus' ministry. He had a different life, culture, atmosphere & situation. Sure the church can cut back on unnecessaries, but I think Jesus' point was that it's vastly important to accept Him, but also that what we do outside the brick & mortar meeting place is equally as important as what we do inside...and that..my friends...is the rest of the story. ha

Right on Jay, The Son of Man didn't eve have a place to lay his head.

Build it and the payments will come! The other dilemma Mike points out is that once you build it you've got to maintain it. Modest is good.

Necessity, who is the mother of invention…

How we define necessity is key.

Beautiful and timely...I don\'t always remember it, but I\'m growing in it. What has been on my mind a lot since I\'ve been to the woodshed recently, is that the gift of God comes through imperfect humans...our imperfections do not negate the truth we\'ve been given to impart. So easy for that to become a wall..or a filter which colors everything the person says. Isn\'t it beautiful that God hides...makes us search to find Him. That used to frustrate me...ok..maybe it still does on occasion..but I recognize the value of it. We have as much of God as we want. Our disillusionment, and hunger is a gift.

This is such a timely subject. I so see God\'s movement in it.

I had to set up some boundaries with my brother & others when I began to take care of my Mother full time. I don\'t want to discuss their issues just to say that they were at a place where they couldn\'t empathize with my situation & responsibilities.

There continued to be problems as time went on & my husband finally had to share his heart in what I thought was a very honest & humble way. My brother basically felt that I put my husband up to it & began threatening me via email & just really being abusive. During this time, I could really get a sense of where he was in his growth. I felt so blessed in the midst of the stress & pain that God was giving me an opportunity to see a few similarities in my own behavior & attitude, but also allowing it as a growth experience in dealing with very difficult people. I began to see God\'s Words & attitude expressed as I prayed about it. The things I wanted to say, I shared in a much more effective way. Anyway, I was able to keep the necessary boundaries in place while still allowing my brother to feel a sense of control, dignity, & power in the situation. We disagree on things & through my experience, I am more able to allow people to be where they are without feeling like I have to fix it. Or fix them. This blog topic was so helpful & so was Lisa\'s comment. It gave me more knowledge so that I can have wisdom in dealing with people which I really want to learn how to do. Role-playing always was such an impactful way of learning for me & God was able to help me see in this situation how abusive I could be in some situations that were emotionally provoking for me. I was afraid my brother was going to hurt me and/or our family. That\'s how bad it\'s been. My husband is learning all he can about court proceedings for menacing & harrassment because he says if it happens again, he\'s taking that type of action. I desperately don\'t want things to be that way, but I understand his concern. Anyway..it\'s made me see how important it is and why Jesus said to speak the truth in love & also to have wisdom about how much truth a person can handle at their level of growth including myself. Such a multi-faceted experience. I\'m trying to build up my home & it\'s seems so many forces are seeking to tear it down. My husband & youngest son are such blessings to me. They build up & create life & ease burdens. What a difference. It\'s an amazing thing to see the difference between the working of darkness & the Holy Spirit in relationships and how they are impacted, and even how we learn & grow from the harmful ones even though they may work our last nerve & we could say \"so & so is supposed to be a Christian (which my brother professes). Why are they behaving in a particular manner. It\'s gotta be of the devil.\" Maybe that portion of their behavior is still controlled by the flesh & further instigated by the enemy, but there are those who bring such life & so much the opposite for us, and they help us get through the situations with the difficult stuff. Man I know their gonna have to cut some of this out. It is just so what is going on right now. I am so happy to share. I can see the importance of a mediator, etc. This was a very much needed topic. Thanks.

Amen Mike! As our good friend Lynn Kubal used to say - \"don\'t major in the minor things that can divide, but focus on the major thing - Jesus Christ.\"

Well stated Mike. I am always reminded of Proverbs 17:27-28 when I think I have all the answers \"A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.\"

The devil loves it when he can create divisions among Christians and will use any platform...church, politics etc... to get it done.

There is only One who has all the answers. The older I grow the more I know that my responsibility is not so much providing the answers but bringing others to the Answer.

But, did you have a Patio Burger, Patio donut, Sloopy's pizza, or Toft's ice cream?

Such a poignant reminder during this message series. It\'s impossible to disseminate where the Spirit is leading us without being in the Word. Thanks, M.

All that Christ spoke to the disciples was brought to their rememberance by the Holy Spirit after pentecost. They began to understand so many profound things the Lord taught them. There have been times that I\'ve only read & studied a scripture just once and the Holy Spirit would recall it to my rememberance at a pivotal time. Normally it takes many readings though & it seems even after many years, I can still have a wonderful experience reading a scripture I\'ve read many a time..even when I get the same thing out of it I have before.

His Word dwells in us & we become like a bible: well-worn & written in. His love is written on our hearts. We act out His Word in faith & become His Word to all. I guess we should look a lot like our bibles. Mine certainly doesn\'t look like the one in the picture above. I suppose I should get crackin\'.

I appreciate GUM\'s role in my becoming stable in my beliefs & allowing me to mature in Christ. God is God. I\'m not. I\'m over it. I think I\'m gonna go read my bible for a while. Jesus is Lord.

When my grandfather died, my mother gave me his New Testament, it was really worn. He has notes all over it and verses underlined. I love reading what he has written in his Bible and wonder what he must have been thinking about. Now I am going to start looking at my friends Bibles and see what they write in their\'s.

My father passed away in November. My mom gave his bible to my son (Jake). Jake had a very close relationship with his grandpa. We both loved reading his notes, seeing his handwriting, reading what verses seemed to mean alot to him, and what he thought about them. Now Jake is preparing to be deployed to Afganistan in just a couple of months. He told me he can\'t take much but he plans to take his grandpas little bible. It makes me cry. That gift is precious treasure to Jake now and I suspect will be even more precious in the year ahead. Daddy was given a bible (I think from his mom) which he took with him when he went to war during World War II. When he was wounded in combat he lost that bible. I hope someone found it and it made a difference.

I have at least 5 bibles. From the NASB study bible which rocks to various other study bibles. I just can\'t bring myself to really write too much in them because well I don\'t know why. I\'ve decided to take one and do all the writing in that one. That way if I just want to read without the writing distracting me, I can do that with the other bibles. My Mom was so turned off by religion, she wouldn\'t even have one in the house. Besides doing crossword puzzles, it\'s all I ever really read except for directions on how to put stuff together. I\'d like to start one to pass on. It\'s really a good idea. I loved Suzanne\'s story. I\'m sure that little bible made a difference for someone if not many.

I will say this has impressed me, i have always been afraid to write in my bible or get it messy, but I like this idea of notes and things. Im gettin out the pen and hilighter....

I was glad to hear that I\'m not the only person who doesn\'t write in their Bibles. I currently have seven (gave two others away) and they\'re all note-free.
I\'m not sure if my apprehension is from thinking that it is a Holy book and shouldn\'t be scribbled in (in case I need to swear on a stack of them) or if I just want to keep them pristine (in case I ever have to sell them on eBay).
The idea of writing in just one of them is a good one, other than, what if I\'m reading another one and want something highlighted? Do I run and get the highlighted one?
They\'re in different locations, including one in my car and one I only for my TJ.
I could break down and highlight whichever one I\'m reading, but then I would have to cross-reference or pick a \"master\" Bible and do a weekly highlighting from all the others.
This is all too confusing. However, I am inspired to buy some highlighters. Are there any erasable ones?

In service yesterday, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 was referred to while discussing Holy Spirit power. When I turned to that chapter and verse, it was already highlighted. I then added notes in the margin to include the specific message of the day. I write in all my books.

While growing up, my parents had this huge bible that sat on the end table but was never used. It had to be 5-6” thick. We all had our individual bibles we received from Holy Communion usually with a zipper pouch for a rosary. I look forward to seeing my parents next time and finally looking to see what’s in that big red bible. My check list for church always includes my bible and Pentel.

Barry, man, I can relate. ha, ha

A Bible is indeed a treasurer of mind and thought of an individual. You dont mark what you dont meditate upon. I have to go back home and look at my Bible.

thank you

My bible is the single most important material possession I have. It is my design for living. All of the wonderful insights I get from the weekly message all in one place! I write all over, in and through it. It has hilighter everywhere.

Being raised Catholic I struggled long and hard about whether or not to write in a Bible. It seemed so sacriligous. We still aren't allowed to open the Family Bible! But one question unlocked the door: How's that working for me? And off I went wit pen and hilighter in hand...

Thank you keep on seeking