Getting onto the streets

I am grateful for the challenge that comes to us from these words of Dallas Willard. In his work, The Spirit of the Disciplines, he says:

"Holiness and devotion must now come forth from the closet and the chapel to possess the street and the factory, the schoolroom and the boardroom, the scientific laboratory and the governmental office.

Instead of a select few making religion their life, with the power and inspiration realised through the spiritual disciplines, all of us can make our daily lives and vocations be 'the house of God and the gate of heaven,' 

I can - and must - happen."

I have had many conversations with Christ-followers wrestling with a sense of calling. Their initial thoughts are always drawn towards fulltime ministry, because this is what we have led people to believe "serving God" looks like. However, God needs his home to be set up in all places and all over the world. 

So, if you are feeling prompted to serve God in some way, my first comment would be: Love God and Love People, where you ARE at the moment. I bet that there are people in your community who need to experience the love of Christ today. 

Matthew 28:18-20 - "Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (The Message)

Living in grace

D3LM3

 

Deluxe version?

If you were asked the question: "Are you are Christian?", most of us reading this post would answer 'Yes!'

But, if we were asked: "Are you a disciple of Christ?", there would be a few of us who may be tempted to say, "I am not that radical as yet!"

In truth, the Bible speaks very little about being a 'Christian' (it is only mentioned 3 times), whereas the Scriptures speak a great deal about being a 'disciple' of Christ (this is mentioned over 260 times). 

So, the challenge is clearly there before us - we have not been called to merely claim that we believe in Jesus, and that a few committed people are called disciples - as if they are the deluxe version of the ordinary Christian. We are all called to be DISCIPLES of Jesus. There is no wriggle room in this decision.

Dallas Willard says - "If we intend to become like Christ, that will be obvious to every thoughtful person around us, as well as to ourselves." 

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" - Matthew 28:19

Living in Grace

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Camino tales

People of all ages love to listen to stories (well most of us anyway). As children we are encouraged to use our imagination and to place ourselves into the stories we read or listen to. As I mentioned yesterday, I am super excited to enter into the story of the Camino de Santiago and to listen to the stories of thousands of pilgrims who have walked the path before us. 

Of course, literature is full of classic stories of Pilgrimage, and one doesn't have to physically walk the miles in order to experience something of the journey. Two of the more popular books in this regard, Canterbury Tales (by Geoffrey Chaucer) and Pilgrim's Progress (John Bunyan) tell of people making a journey of spiritual discovery. And of course, the Scriptures are also filled with accounts of the Israelites walking to the Promised Land, recounting stories of life, faith, trial and joy - all as the travel along the ancient paths to their end goal. 

If you didn't know this already, The Canterbury Tales, were crafted by Chaucer as part of a story-telling contest by a group of pilgrims travelling towards Canterbury. They were on a journey to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket, which was housed in the famous Cathedral. Apparently, the prize for the best tale was a free meal at the Tabard Inn at Southwark on their return.

To be honest, I am not really interested in any particular prize (not that there is really a prize), except for the joy of completing the walk, encountering fellow pilgrims along the way, enjoying God's presence and discovering more about myself. 

I will let you know if I get the prize in the end.

"We are invited to make a pilgrimage – into the heart and life of God." - Dallas Willard

I want to enter the story of the Camino, so that I can reconnect with my part in the Greater Story. 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Does Loving also mean Liking?

We understand that God calls us to LOVE people, but the big question is this:
Does loving someone also mean I need to LIKE them? Mmmmmh, there is a challenging thought. I am sure we have all come across people that we don't like at all, but somewhere in our 'Christian minds' we know we are supposed to 'love' these irritating people and that is when we feel a little confused.

If you have ever struggle with this, then perhaps this insight may help in your thinking:

“We must understand that God does not "love" us without liking us - through gritted teeth - as "Christian" love is sometimes thought to do. Rather, out of the eternal freshness of his perpetually self-renewed being, the heavenly Father cherishes the earth and each human being upon it. The fondness, the endearment, the unstintingly affectionate regard of God toward all his creatures is the natural outflow of what he is to the core - which we vainly try to capture with our tired but indispensable old word "love".” ― Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy

Wow, that is quite a mouthful, but it makes interesting reading. I wonder if God ever loves us through gritted teeth? 

Question: Is it possible to love someone, even if we don't like them? (if you know the answer then please share your recipe of success with us)

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Effort versus earning

One of my favourite authors is Dallas Willard and I count it a wonderful privilege to have been part of a 2 day seminar he lead many years ago. It was truly inspirational. Dallas doesn't just write 'nice' thoughts down on paper - he oozes the essence of Christ so that one is changed by merely reading. This is a powerful gift to have.
Take this quote as an example - it is one of my favourites.

“Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning. Earning is an attitude. Effort is an action. Grace, you know, does not just have to do with forgiveness of sins alone.”

This implies that I can not earn my salvation (it is by Grace alone), BUT I should put some effort into my new found relationship with Christ. The action of 'effort' is an indication of a heart that has been changed by Grace.

What do you think?

Living in Grace
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Being a life-long learner

“A disciple is an apprentice of Jesus” - Dallas Willard

When Jesus called the 'disciples' to come and follow him, they were not yet disciples. They were ordinary citizens of a different kingdom.  They probably had a longing in their heart for something more - for something deeper, but they may have thought they were not good enough to follow a Rabbi. However, in the moment when Jesus turned tradition on it's head and called them to be his disciples, the 12 agreed to become life-long apprentices of God. 

Our decision to believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour is the first part of this journey and, dare I say it, the easiest part. What follows after this, is a commitment to intentionally walk the 'Jesus Way'  day after day. 

So, how are things going for you as a disciple? What have you learnt today about following the Son of God?

Living in Grace

D3LM3 

·   Matthew 4:19 - “Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (NLT)

 

Invasion of our lives

"...to see actual invasions of human life by the presence and action of God ... greatly encouraged me to believe that the life and promises given in the person of Christ and in Scripture were meant for us today. I saw that ordinary individuals who sought the Lord would find him real ..." - Dallas Willard

Mention the word "invasion" to someone and you will almost always find a negative connotation linked to the word. An "Invasion" of any kind is met with stubborn resistance and a great push back! However, in it's purest form, I imagine the word simply means "something coming from the outside" - and yes, we usually use the word to speak of bad elements: 

Armies invade;
Locusts invade:
Tourists invade.

But, what if we allowed God to invade? - I mean in a good sense? What if we allowed the Spirit of God to enter into our lives? If you like, to open our hearts to the invasion of the Spirit - coming from outside our world to change us for the good! Wouldn't that be amazing?

And this is what Dallas Willard hints at in his quote (above) - when the Holy Spirit grabs hold of ordinary people and flips their lives around, miracles happen. The early church witnessed this and there is no reason why we can't witness these things again.

Acts 1:8 -  But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

Living in Grace
D3LM3

God speaks in the silence

We had the wonderful privilege of sharing in a Spiritual Retreat today. A lot of the time was spent in reflection, silence and prayer, as well as some great food and company. The thing that always amazes me about having these moments away from the chaos of life, is that God always speaks in the silence. It is not that God doesn't speak in the noise of our lives, but I feel that his voice is easily drowned out.

By simply blocking out a few hours in a day, we create the space for God to communicate with us, uninterrupted. There is nothing magical about it - it is purely allowing God the opportunity to share with us.

I guess it is the same as communicating with your spouse or a friend. Of course you can chat and communicate in the routine of life, but often these conversations happen at high speed and we don't always listen to what they are saying. Yet, go away for a day with your spouse/friend and you will discover that you can actually talk to each other.

Dallas Willard - "Hearing God cannot be a reliable and intelligible fact of life except when we see his speaking as one aspect of his presence with us, of his life in us. Only our communion with God provides the appropriate context for communications between us and him.”

Psalm 141:1-2 - "God, come close. Come quickly! Open your ears—it’s my voice you’re hearing! Treat my prayer as sweet incense rising; my raised hands are my evening prayers."

You may not be able to take a whole morning out, but I encourage you to find some time to rest in the presence of God. You will be blessed.

Living in Grace
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Dallas Willard

I was saddened to the news of Dallas Willard's death. He passed away at the age of 77, after a long battle with cancer. He was such an inspiring man and I had the privilege of listening to him at a workshop a few years ago. These are a few words I would use to sum up the impression he left with me:

...Brilliant mind, yet totally humble. Inspiring and deep, yet simple enough to understand. Passionate about Jesus and the Gospel, yet not arrogant or too 'religious'. Hard working, yet Spirit led.

Here are a few of his quotes, in case you don't Dallas.

“We live in a culture that has, for centuries now, cultivated the idea that the skeptical person is always smarter than one who believes. You can almost be as stupid as a cabbage as long as you doubt.” 

 “Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning. Earning is an attitude. Effort is an action. Grace, you know, does not just have to do with forgiveness of sins alone.” 

"... this is an age for spiritual heroes- a time for men and women to be heroic in their faith and in spiritual character and power. The greatest danger to the Christian church today is that of pitching its message too low.”

If you want to read more of his life then please read these thoughts.

Rest in Peace, Dallas.

Living in Grace
D3LM3