2010 Year in review!

First, let me just wish you all a merry Christmas and happy New Year! As we celebrate a season of precious gifts and new beginnings let us focus on the MOST precious gift (our Lord Jesus) and THE new beginning He has created for us... praise God for His work, His life and His mission that we get to be a part of.

2010 was quite a year!

It is hard to believe that we spent 96 days on the road this last year between ministry and school... it might explain how tired we feel. But, God gave us so many incredible experiences and introduced us to so many amazing people - we truly have much to be thankful for.

After getting back into a good rhythm last January (including starting back into Seminary) we began our preparation for our Feb trip back to Northern India with Berean Way. Our Trip to the North was one of the most difficult trips we have done... the spiritual warfare was very intense and we were working in a part of India that even Indian Christians do not like to go to. As one of the local Indian pastors explained, "when I was in South India I saw myself as standing at the gates of hell, breaking down the doors, running in and rescuing the lost and hurting... now that I live in North India I see myself as having moved into hell, grabbing as many as I can and pushing them out the gates." But, God is moving mightily through the hands of His courageous followers there... it is truly inspiring walking with these men and women. Thank you Lord for these servants... keep them Lord I pray.

While in India I received a troubling call from my wife telling me that our house was on fire! Needless to say it made for a dramatic end to our trip. I made it back home and found that a shorted wire had burned out our front room BUT Brit and the kids were fine and that was all that mattered. Through the process God blessed us with a completely renovated wonderful home (through the hands of Jeff and Brian atCornerstone Construction - thanks guys). God continues to direct our steps leading us toward His purposes and not allowing anything more than we can handle ALL the while turning darkness into light... He is good at that. Praise You Lord for all that You are to us.

Through March and April we bounced from place to place as our home was being rebuilt while managing a trip up to Canada and our first annual Berean Way auction to raise funds for barefoot pastors (which went amazingly). In May I had the amazing opportunity to be a part of a three week intensive seminary class in Israel. With the help of a very special donor, a scholarship and approval from my family and boss I was able to go and spend three weeks walking where Jesus walked... lifting the stories of the scriptures off the pages. Thank you Lord for being more than just a theological idea but for being an actual person who was born and walked just like us... only perfectly.

After returning from Israel it was only one brief month later (which included teaching at a great Jr. High retreat for RHCC) that we were in Langkawi, Malaysia. Every four years CRM holds a staff wide mandatory World Wide Conference for all of us to get equipped, back on the same page and be an encouragement to one another. This year Britany and I were able to go together with a lot of help from the grand parents! As well as having an amazing experience with friends (especially those from Scotland) we were able to have a time of deep growth as a couple. On our way back from Malaysia we were able to stop in Taiwan to spend time with some dear friends of ours who are living there now working for Nike. It was great to spend some time in a new culture while having a bit of an adventure. Lord we are thankful for your provisions of family and friends!

After sliding in a bit of camping and family time it was time to prepare for the Fall and my trips to Canada, Nepal and Scotland. Canada was a fantastic whirlwind... a great chance for me to teach at a college retreat for Lethbridge E-Free and hang out with the next generation of world changers. It always feels good to be home! Now off to Nepal...

As I mentioned in previous updates, Nepal is a very different experience than India and yet shares so many similarities. Undoubtedly, Nepal is staggeringly beautiful... mountains, rivers and an amazingly diverse set of cultures make it a remarkable little country. Yet, it struggles with immense poverty and social/political ills that make it a desperate place of daily survival for most of its non-tourist inhabitants. Here, hidden amidst the great mountains and miseries, lies a tiny (less than 2%), young (both historically and demographically), fully alive faith filled Church. It does not take long in Nepal to see that God is moving amidst the Himalayas! We held 2 conferences over the course of a week with around 400 attendees total. We also spent time interacting with and praying for different churches and ministries in and around the Kathmandu area... it was an amazing time! Now off to Scotland...

My Trip to Scotland was amazing (it snowed almost every day!) and in many ways it was the perfect end to an incredible year. I returned to Glasgow to work with the team there doing team building and leadership training. While there I met with them as a group several times and one on one with most. The tool I was using with the staff helped ask important questions about who they are and who they are becoming... which is something pretty special. I am so proud of this team. They have worked hard to become what God wants them to be and this has taken grit, determination and a wholehearted commitment to Jesus. When others have quit they steadied themselves. When some have questioned their vision they looked to God, His Word and kept on. Their commitment to Glasgow is a challenge and encouragement to me and I pray it will move us - you and me - to reexamining what God has called us to DO... really, WHO God has called us to BE, WHERE He has placed us. Lead us Father on that we might be able to faithfully say with all of Your saints, "any time, any place at any cost."

As we launch into another new year would you join me in making this your daily prayer...

Lord lead us and make us,
mold us and break us
that through each day Your Spirit might take us

and create in us hearts and lives that all know
any time,
any place,
at any cost
we will go

and then in Your hour
when You come Lord in power

You will see just Your Son
and all He has done

and we will find there our place
as we look on His face.

Thank you for your faithfulness to this call financially, prayerfully and passionately... this does not happen without your faith-filled support.

grace and peace friends,
the McDonald clan

intermittent...

As these next several weeks unfold (packing, moving, unpacking, etc.) and it becomes harder and harder to stop and take time to update I thought this might be a good time to repost my first entry... the beginning of the story of this BLOG... why it exists... really, why I exist... awaken us.

awaken us… Lord

awaken us from our slumber

too long have we slept.
too long have we looked upon a darkened, dieing, hopeless world and lazily looked to the horizon for Your coming… or was that our T.V. set?

Awaken us Lord to the hunger that is within.

Stir your children of light from their comfortable seats… that we would know the feeling of Your armor again… the feeling of your sword.

Fan the fire of passion for Your Name… Your Fame… that we might feel the coursing fire flooding through our souls… like rivers… like springs of life.

Let us sleep no longer!
Let us waken from the night in search of our Beloved.
Let us throw ourselves against the gates of injustice… the gates of poverty… the gates of darkness… the gates of hell. Until we can no longer stand AND YET we stand!

AWAKEN US LORD!

Move us to the edges… gather us to the corners… take us OUTSIDE THE CAMP…

AWAKEN US LORD!

Awaken hearts that are broken for the broken hearted. Lives that are lived for the lost.

AWAKEN US LORD!

The night is far gone; the day is at hand.

Even so. Amen.

timothy mark mcdonald

busy...

I've been VERY busy lately traveling to and fro but thought I might direct you to The Berean Ways blog so that you might hear more about the ministry that we are going to be working with. Jeff is currently in India making plans for our next trip this fall... he has GREAT pictures and stories!

Blessings!
Tim

good perspective...

I saw this clip on Desiring God blog page... it is worth taking a look at!

PRAY!

Acts 4:29

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

I was wondering if you might be able to find a moment today to pray for my good friend (and brother) Sam. I got an email from him this am saying that he had just gotten out of jail. Sam the Indian and an evangelist/teacher who I have mentioned on this blog before. He is married and has 1 son. Him and 7 others were arrested for preaching the gospel. Though they have been released on bail there is a group of people trying to get them arrested again and they have had to be "evacuated".

Please be praying for:
- favor from the officials
- protection from false accusations
- courage for Sam and his wife

Pray also that the peace and comfort of Jesus would be with all of them.

Mighty God who hears all things and knows the plans of men's hearts - I pray first that Your name would be shown to be great among all people and all nations of this earth through Your children. Guide Sam this morning with all wisdom. Give him courage and love from Your Spirit. Protect him, his family and his friends. Grant him favor with the officials AND with the people around him... turn his enemies into brothers. Make Your name great in this situation and guard Your servant from evil. We love you Lord. Amen.

daily...

Luke 9:23

And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me...

I am not sure if it is because I have been struggling to find a good rhythm this last while OR if it is just a new step in my faith journey BUT I have been thinking a lot lately about daily "followership". Having grown up in a tradition that encouraged "daily devotions" I know of the deep value of the "blessed man" from Psalm 1 who delights in the Law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night... whose life yields fruit in season AND whose leaves never wither. I have experienced the transformative power of personal prayer AND watched in amazement as God as moved mountains in the lives people. And, as time has gone on, I have begun to see how the mission of God is more than just an idea... but a lifestyle... more than just words... but power.

BUT

In the midst of all of this it can still be tough to simply get up each day and lay my old self down, pick up my cross and follow Jesus. Yet it is SO essential.

It seems as if each day I am given a choice again
...to center on Jesus OR to center on me!
...to die to myself OR live for myself!
...to follow my Savior OR lead my own little personal rebellion.

The truth is, what we do daily defines who we are... and who we are becoming.

on dogma...

"A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything." MALCOLM X

I recently read a quote from J.C. Ryle that was particularly powerful on Tim Challies blog. Now normally I would just forward you on to his blog BUT in this case I thought I would include it below. Partially this is because I am a little unsure of the use of the word dogma (though accurate it seems to carry more baggage than it's worth today) BUT mostly I have included it because the heart of this message is as true today as it has ever been.

In fact, I feel this war inside my own head... I wonder how many of you could relate?

[Dislike of dogma] is an epidemic which is just now doing great harm, and specially among young people.... It produces what I must venture to call...a "jelly-fish" Christianity in the land: that is, a Christianity without bone, or muscle, or power. A jelly-fish...is a pretty and graceful object when it floats in the sea, contracting and expanding like a little, delicate, transparent umbrella. Yet the same jelly-fish, when cast on the shore, is a mere helpless lump, without capacity for movement, self-defense, or self-preservation. Alas! It is a vivid type of much of the religion of this day, of which the leading principle is, "No dogma, no distinct tenets, no positive doctrine." We have hundreds of "jelly-fish" clergymen, who seem not to have a single bone in their body of divinity. They have not definite opinions; they belong to no school or party; they are so afraid of "extreme views" that they have no views at all. We have thousands of "jelly-fish" sermons preached every year, sermons without an edge, or a point, or a corner, smooth as billiard balls, awakening no sinner, and edifying no saint. We have Legions of "jelly-fish" young men annually turned out from our Universities, armed with a few scraps of second-hand philosophy, who think it a mark of cleverness and intellect to have no decided opinions about anything in religion, and to be utterly unable to make up their minds as to what is Christian truth. They live apparently in a state of suspense, like Mohamet's fabled coffin, hanging between heaven and earth...and last, and worst of all, we have myriads of "jelly-fish" worshippers-respectable Church-going people, who have no distinct and definite views about any point in theology. They cannot discern things that differ, any more than color-blind people can distinguish colors. They think everybody is right and nobody wrong, everything is true and nothing is false, all sermons are good and none are bad, every clergyman is sound and no clergyman is unsound. They are "tossed to and fro, like children, by every wind of doctrine"; often carried away by any new excitement and sensational movement; ever ready for new things, because they have no firm grasp on the old; and utterly unable to "render a reason of the hope that is in them." ...Never was it so important for laymen to hold systematic views of truth, and for ordained ministers to "enunciate dogma" very clearly and distinctly in their teaching.

Our most recent Update!

Hey everyone,

Well, here we are well into March and it seems that time is flying.

We haven't yet got all the snags worked out with our newsletters but it looks as if we will soon be moving to a digital newsletter that will both save on postage/trees but time as well... we appreciate your patience in this process.

After a very busy Christmas with all of Britany's family in town January and February have been months of questions asked and new experiences. As we mentioned a few updates back, Britany has now "officially" stepped back from her weekly nieucommunities responsibilities to focus on getting her energy back, getting our family into a healthy rhythm and on being a "good" missionary to our neighborhood. It has been a great step forward for us as a family and I think we are heading down a more sustainable pathway for ministry. I have begun working with a few local ministries and it feels like we are diving in. All of this ministry and connecting is of course the preliminary for our primary work of nieucommunities - the equipping and sending of missional leaders worldwide for the sake of the Kingdom of God. It looks as if we will be officially launching the training this fall as we already have a group of interested young leaders.

As many of you know, due to visa issues, I was unable to go to India this February with The Berean Way. This was very difficult for me personally but I have trusted God with His timing knowing that He is in control and knows what's best for me and my family. As I have been looking at increasing my involvement in this ministry, missing this trip has created many questions about my heart for the hard to reach places like India (as they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder).

I am increasingly convinced (and compelled) that our time on earth is short and that there are still many who need to hear about the person of Jesus Christ AND the hope of the good news of the Kingdom of God. And, I am convinced that this message is best spoken by THEIR neighbors, families or friends. With the Berean Way I can teach/preach, encourage and duplicate in the hardest of places... looking into the eyes of these men and women who walk forward in the face of persecution and help them live/preach the gospel in their VERY unreached neighborhoods.

But I have another love - the Church. I have a deep conviction that the church know and become what Christ has called us to become. It is a desire to see the Body of Christ live to its fullest God inspired potential. I believe that the Church is God's instrument on the earth for good and that we have a calling to steward... a calling that goes way beyond our own comfort and security. With nieucommunities I am able to challenge, disciple and equip the next generation of church and mission leaders for the global mission of the Church. Often I feel a tension between the two callings... it is a tension that literally keeps me up at night. Which is where you all come in.

Would you pray for us?
We need your prayers (and God's guidance) in navigating this changing world. We are trying to be the people/missionaries that God has called us to be (including making wise choices with our family life) in this generation... for this generation. Pray that we would step forward with faith and courage. Pray that we would speak boldly as we should. Pray for open doors and ready hearts.

...the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Romans 13:11-12)

grace and peace,
Tim McDonald (and the clan)

the crowing rooster

Mark 14:72

...And he broke down an wept.

I have always enjoyed reading through the life of the apostle Peter. I find a lot of comfort in watching how he walked with Jesus. He seems to have made as many mistakes as he had successes... and though some of his successes where amazing and dramatic so much of his life seems filled with "good intentions" gone awry. This ordinary fisherman seemed to have a heart to do the right thing but often found himself running in the wrong direction. He would open his mouth when he shouldn't AND he would remain silent when he shouldn't. He would run in swords raised when he shouldn't AND run away when he shouldn't. Though seemingly not a very "religious" man he would often make religious mistakes (even late in life). He would show tremendous courage (at the wrong time) and tremendous fear mere moments later. He would confuse the spoken word of Christ and even be called "satan" by Jesus himself. And, in an ultimate act of fear, he would deny Jesus publicly 3 times in a row... just as Jesus had predicted.

Yet...

He walk on water.

He spoke the first confession of Christ.

He was called a rock on which the Church would be built.

He open the gospel to the gentile world... through the courageous word of his testimony.

And though he would deny Jesus on one day he would eventually deny himself and take up his cross and follow Jesus unto death.

There have been so many times in my life when I have represented everything that Jesus is NOT. Times where I have trudged ahead and found myself walking down a different path than Jesus with a foot in my mouth... and usually more than a bit confused. You see, like Peter, I have all these good intentions and (I think) a heart to do what Jesus wants me to do BUT, also like Peter, I find a battle between courage and fear within me. There have been times when I have spoken courageously only to find out that I am missing the bigger picture... and there have been times when I should have spoken but was too afraid.

And I have wept.

The fold in the middle of a book.

Colossians 3:1-4

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

As I have mentioned before, we have, as a community, been working through the book of Colossians slowly but surely over the past few months. It has been an incredible experience... it is an incredible book.

We have wrestled with what it looks like to, "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord"... and sat in awe as we gazed at the, "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." We have meditated on the ideas of faith and hope AND searched the depths of, "the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints." We have prayed for one another as each of us embrace the centrality of the cross and learn what it means to, "walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith..." and not, "captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world..." And of course we have begun to deepen our understanding of the tremendous theme of thanksgiving in Colossians by beginning the spiritual discipline of thankfulness.

And now we round a bit of a corner.

Like the fold in the middle of a book.

A focus point in an incredible work of art.

A lit candle in a darkened room.

Look HERE Paul says... So we don't forget the point... So we don't move to quickly ON... So we don't move to QUICKLY... So we don't MOVE... away from life.

The author of Hebrews says it this way, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..." Paul knows we need this reminder. In the midst of busy schedules and busy lives how do we move forward with courage? Without the rules (or leashes) of religion how do we trust our steps... our "walk"? Paul tells us that if we are in Christ we do this by seeking (literally with all our hearts) the things above... setting our minds on those things... the things of Christ... the things of REAL life.

But what does this look like... in REAL life?

repentance

For any who have read anything by Dutch Sheets OR follow what has been going on in Florida OR have ever wondered to themselves about the Charismatic movement... I would encourage you to read this. It is VERY powerful and has a message that needs to be heard by anyone who would call him/herself a follower of Jesus.

Bless his words Lord I pray... that we might see a new generation of Your followers who are truly committed to living holy lives that produce fruit that lasts FOREVER!

Amen.

roots

Recently my wife wrote a note to a friend of ours and she included a little experience that recently happed with our son Duncan.

The kids are struggling right now to understand why we have to move, mostly Duncan. He asked me the other day as we were talking about moving, why his heart didn't tell him the same thing mine and Daddy's told us. So last night he prayed that God would tell his heart that it was time to move. WOW that was a hard and wonderful mummy moment all wrapped into one…

Someone just described what is before all of us as "Us pulling out the roots that are so bedded into where we are" and that was big for me because it feels just like that. Some are easy to pull and others feel like if we pull them, we might never get them to root again. Funny how simple things make sense to us…

This is the reality of a move away from what we have called our home these past five years. The reality of making roots.

Give us strength Lord… give us strength.

faith

Matthew 17:18-20

And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?" He said to them, "Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.

My family has walked through a lot this past year... as have many of you who read this BLOG (all three of you ;) ). After a while you begin to ask yourself the "faith" questions... why won't these mountains move? ...where did all these mountains come from in the first place? ...what's the matter with me? ...what's the matter with my faith? You begin to wonder why, if only a small amount of faith is needed to move mountains, do I seem so unable to even open a door?

Many of us have been in situations where we HAVE believed God and found ourselves in the strange place of actually seeing what we believed Him for materialize in front of us - as this man's sons healing did. It is amazing. It can take your breath away... praise God for those moments.

BUT

Many more of us have found ourselves in that place of believing God for something that did not materialize. We are left standing at a closed door. We know the "right" answer... that God's answer is always right (which I believe to be true) but we can't seem to reconcile these types of verses with our realities. We may have even found ourselves hearing (in our head OR in our ears) the voice of doubt or shame... "obviously we don't have enough faith". Hmmm.

One thing I know "for sure" is that I don't have enough faith. I don't believe enough. The disciples didn't have enough (Luke 17:5-6) and they walked around with Jesus right in front of them. Enough... what does that even mean? As if there was some magical quantity that gives you some sort of super power to do whatever you want... for Jesus of course.

BUT

I want to...

I want to be able to move these mountains AND I know that God can... I wonder, is that faith?

India takeaways sitting in Café Nero LHR… 3

Hebrews 10:22-25

...let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Third, I feel the challenge in my spirit (from THE Spirit) to not hold my tongue so much in my world. As it does with these faith filled followers in India, my love for Christ must compel me to speak more about Him and bear an increasing testimony of His greatness… His power to heal… His saving name… in faith… to all those I meet. This is especially true with the message of hope that is in my heart. I must live a life of hope (as my friends here in India do) and I must carry a message of hope with in my heart and on my tongue… for the sake of this world and His kingdom come. I have been convicted by my own message.

Lord, let me draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with my heart sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and my body washed with pure water. Let me hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for I know that YOU who promised is faithful. And fill my mind with fresh ways to stir up those around me to love and good works... Lord, make me more like this I pray.

India takeaways sitting in Café Nero LHR… 2

James 1:2-4

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Second, I see the balance of suffering and faith fleshing itself out in these men and women’s lives much more vividly. The loss of an infant child amidst the new life of the Gospel call. Persecution and strife alongside new awakenings and miracles. Lack of belief and usury alongside complete submission and self-emptiness. It is so beautifully complex and visible here in India – you can almost taste it in the air – life and death side by side. Everything is so much more real in India… so much more tangible. Idols are idols… demons are demons… cows are holy and people are worthless. There is no were to hide from reality here. Their faith is a faith intermingled with suffering on an almost daily basis and it produces an amazing amount of courageous resolve.

The testing of their faith has produced steadfastness. And they have let steadfastness have its full effect, making them perfect and complete, lacking in nothing... Lord, make me more like that I pray.

India takeaways sitting in Café Nero LHR… 1

Hebrews 11:1&6

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen...And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

I find myself pondering a few personal takeaways from this trip.

First, I am again struck by the level of faith I see being lived out in the lives of Apollos Sam, Sam Charles, their families and Solomon. Theirs is a faith that is lived out with their lives AND with their mouths. Faith in evangelism. Faith in Money. And resources. Faith in obedience. Faith in word and deed. Even when it is so hard they trust and obey (even in the midst of their struggles). Their faith even stands out head and shoulders above the other leaders and pastors in India… they are special people. They are radical and steady all at the same time. They are faith filled and faithful to Him who has called.

They must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him... Lord, make me more like that I pray.

signing off for a while...

I am heading to India in 36hrs or so and won't be able to post for a while... but don't worry, I'll be back! :)

While I am gone I would appreciate your prayers in a few areas:

First, for my family as I am away... That our four kids would remain healthy and be real help to their mummy. And for Britany... that she would not experience any symptoms while I am away AND that there would be no "surprises".

Second, for safety and health as we travel... with no snags.

Third, that the Word of God would find "good soil" and be very enriching and empowering for all who come to our times of pastoral training. And that God would receive MUCH glory for our time in India.

grace and peace friends.

PS... I will try and send updates on the trip so check back when you can!

awaken us again!

As a reminder to myself and those who may occasionally come across my ideas, I thought I might take this opportunity to return to the beginning of the story of this BLOG... why it exists... really, why I exist. And so I resubmit my poem (and my first entry)... awaken us.

awaken us… Lord

awaken us from our slumber

too long have we slept.
too long have we looked upon a darkened, dieing, hopeless world and lazily looked to the horizon for Your coming… or was that our T.V. set?

Awaken us Lord to the hunger that is within.

Stir your children of light from their comfortable seats… that we would know the feeling of Your armor again… the feeling of your sword.

Fan the fire of passion for Your Name… Your Fame… that we might feel the coursing fire flooding through our souls… like rivers… like springs of life.

Let us sleep no longer!
Let us waken from the night in search of our Beloved.
Let us throw ourselves against the gates of injustice… the gates of poverty… the gates of darkness… the gates of hell. Until we can no longer stand AND YET we stand!

AWAKEN US LORD!

Move us to the edges… gather us to the corners… take us OUTSIDE THE CAMP…

AWAKEN US LORD!

Awaken hearts that are broken for the broken hearted. Lives that are lived for the lost.

AWAKEN US LORD!

The night is far gone; the day is at hand.

Even so. Amen.

timothy mark mcdonald

rock and sand

Luke 6:46

Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?

I love the way Jesus talks! Sometimes He is so mysterious, illusive and down right confusing. Other times He has the subtly of a 2x4! Why do you call me teacher and not learn? Why do you call me boss and not do your job? Why do you call me master and not obey? It is a bold REAL statement about the nature of those who follow Him AND who He is.

How often I pray/say, "Lord" without even thinking about what I am saying or how I am living. What's my issue? Have I forgotten who it is I am calling Lord? OR, have I forgotten how amazing His words and commandments really are? I think there is a clue given to these questions in the next verses.

Luke 6:47-49

Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.

Read alone this story is a beautiful picture of the power of standing on God's words and promises... but when connected to the preceding comment you see a fuller picture. Jesus' words are not just pretty stories, they are the essential foundations to our lives. What we choose to do with them can make the difference between unshaken-ness and ruin!

I wonder if I really live like I believe that?

Lord, give me the courage to believe that which is often unseen. I believe You alone hold the keys to life and there is nowhere else that I would desire to go... You are my Rock. Thank you for Your faithfulness to us... command what You will and will what You command. Amen.

How then do we fight?

Matthew 4:3

And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God..."

So how then do we fight the good fight for faith in a faithless age? In a soaked age?

It gives me great peace to know that we follow a Man (and God) that was tempted in all the ways we have been... but without getting soaked to the bone. And It seems, as we read, we must fight as our Lord fought while He walked in our shoes by fighting it on the inside (in our hearts and minds) and on the outside (with our lives and words).

For me... I have found that fighting on the inside is an act of clinging to God’s Words, His great and precious promises. I cling (sometimes unsuccessfully) to what I know about God and His provision when what I know does not make sense with what I am currently seeing OR what people around me are telling me to think and feel. Basically I preach to myself. That sounds pretty unpopular today I know. But Jesus Himself did this as He faced these same challenges and He tells us that as His followers we should expect to live the same way He did… to be treated the same way he was treated BECAUSE we are following behind Him in His very footsteps. He faced the temptations… we will face the temptations. He faced the world… we will face the world. It is a part of what it means to be human.

As the fight moves from inside to the outside I find myself speaking the truth about who God is and living out the realities of His (oftentimes counter) Kingdom. The life He created us to live filled with love, humility and compassion. It can feel foreign to my own skin sometimes... but I fight to hold to what I know about God when what I know does not make sense with what I am currently experiencing OR what people around me are telling me to do and how to live. This is very unpopular today. But what I have learned is that these temptations are not primarily about getting me to "mess up"... no, they are an assault on who I REALLY am... just as satan's temptation was an assault on who Jesus REALLY was. It is like our enemy is asking, "If you really are children of God..."

But I am!

And as a child of God... as a servant of the King... I must live as a representative of the new Kingdom. I must fight against lording it over others and the systems that destroy the hearts and lives of my fellow humans. I must fight against the idolatrous self-absorbed kingdoms of me and my comfort-at-all-costs. I must fight against the consumerist plague of profit-at-all-costs...

And I must fight to win!

Inside and outside!

Make it so Lord.