Dream about this generation.

Take a 16 min dream break. Stop and dream with God about what could happen in your lifetime. This is what happens when a generation is told who they are and who's they are. They are worshipers of Jesus. They are world changers. They are not the problem with the world today. They are not the most pitiful generation. They are not proof of the degradation of society. They are carriers of the solution. They are extreme lovers of God and of people. They cannot be stopped. They will continue long after the problem is solved, the war has ended, and the pain is gone. They will continue because God continues to be the joy in life not just the fix of it. They are worshipers of God not only problem solvers.

This generation is not won over by high dollar dreams. The two child white-picket fence dream is fading. They are a generation of belonging. A generation of purpose. A generation of desire. If you don't champion them for a purpose, they will champion a purpose they understand, good or bad. They are a generation is the world. They are a generation that can will go beyond the wars of our fathers and bread innovation beyond what we can anticipate. This is a generation that will break generational curses and cultural flaws. This is a generation that will go beyond themselves and their freedoms to see the world liberated and walking in the dreams of their creator. This is a generation that could bring Heaven to earth or a generation that will watch the people of the world flounder in the sea as they stand by waiting for someone else to do it. I believe they are the first. I will dream of them as the first.I will call them as the first. I will champion them as the first. I will see them become the first.

So that they won't repent...What?!

As I was reading through Mark 4 this morning, I began envisioning the scene. Jesus is standing near the edge of the shore when people start packing in. The crowd grows and grows. Jesus raises His voice a little louder so the people in the back could hear as well. Then more people came and He steps up on to a pile of rocks they made Him so His voice projects a little further. Finally, He steps into a boat and sets out 50 yards so He can address the whole crowd who has now pushed up to the shoreline to make sure they get at good view and ear to hear what He's saying. He begins this new teaching on a farmer who went along scattering seed...

The men, I can imagine, nod along as they are tracking along. After all, they are in an agricultural era so they understand how seeds work. Frustration at those stupid birds that keep taking their seed rise up as Jesus explains the path. Memories of fresh crops sprouting up only to be withered later by the sun bringing disappointment to their hearts as Jesus moves on. They're tracking along with the backside of the story. "And the other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirty fold, and sixtyfold and a hundredfold." The farmers smile as they remember the good years of harvest they had and how they could give some away and had plenty for the next year. They remember the parties and celebrations they had at the big harvest times. The wives remember making all of the food and the peace they had that their family was taken care of. The kids remember how happy their parents were and how long those days seemed to be when they had to keep working.  Many people are tracking along with personal experience, others are imagining based on their neighbors work. Then Jesus does something crazy.

"He who has ears let him hear." Aka "Alright, if you hear me, understand what I'm saying."

Then blesses them sits down in the boat and rows to the other side.

And the crowd stands bumfuzzled.

Wait, what?! What was the point? He gave the backstory but....where's the rest of it. I thought He was a religious teacher, why is He teaching about farming then? People look back and forth at each other like "Did you get it? Cause I didn't." Another guy pretends to have gotten it because he zoned out for the last five minutes, so he joins in pretending like he was paying attention the whole time. Then he realizes no one else got it either so he jumps on that train. And the packed shore is still standing there waiting for the punchline... still waiting.

Imagine the teaching going something like this: "If you go to McDonalds and get a Big Mac you'll get a cheeseburger with 2 patties, 3 pieces of bread, special sauce, lettuce and others. You can get a value meal and get fries and a drink. If you get a Happy Meal it will feed a child with a smaller cheeseburger, fries, a drink, and a toy. If you heard me, understand what I'm saying."

What?! That doesn't make any sense. Understand what? What are you saying?

This is the reaction the people had to Jesus' teaching (I have a feeling more often than not). But there was something about the way He spoke and addressed them that made them feel good. They didn't get it, but they got something. Enough to keep them coming back. I'm afraid most people didn't understand tho. The disciples we read in v10 came to Jesus afterwards and say "Hey, the seeds. We don't get it. McDonalds, seems a few fries short of completion. Explain that."

Jesus then responds, "You have been given the secrets to the Kingdom of God. To everyone else their just stories so they can hear it and see it but not understand so that they won't repent and be forgiven."

That's where I got confused. So they won't repent and be forgiven? Wasn't that the point of Jesus coming? What?

So I read some commentaries which didn't fully help, but lead me to dialogue with the Holy Spirit about what was up here. The following is what He was teaching me from this.

Why shouldn't they repent?
Because I don't want them brought into a concept, I want them brought into the Kingdom.
(At this point, sometimes I go off to wonder what that meant rather than just ask. This time I remembered to ask.)
What do you mean brought into a concept instead of the Kingdom?
Many times people are prone to get an idea, and run with it, creating a whole set of believes off of an idea or concept. Could you imagine how many people wanted to take one of Jesus' teaching's and run with it creating a whole doctrine, denomination, or religion out of one concept. I hid these from people because in the Kingdom there's more than one concept. It's not based around one teaching, it's based around a series of principals that are held in tension. I revealed the answers and meanings to those who were constantly with me, the ones who would get the whole story. The closest followers who heard every sermon, every message, and every meaning had a fuller picture of how they were all held together. Others would have took one idea and left and started a whole other movement based on something Jesus said, when it wasn't complete. It's the same reason I held you in first year (of the school of ministry I'm going to) all year without letting you go out and teach. You had great teaching, but you needed the other side of the coin, the full spectrum before you were ready to teach and explain it.  I want people to come into the truth and reality of the Godhead and Our ways rather than one way. 

Now, I realize that there's more here in this passage. I'm not saying this is the final explanation. But I'm saying this is what God taught me this morning through it. Take away points for you: 1) envision the Bible stories. Use your imagination to see, feel, think the way they did. 2) interesting how some people will get part of it, but won't get all of it. I love how God won't allow someone to get swept up into a false doctrine (which is what 1 piece of truth, when made into the whole truth is), because He wants to wait until they have a fuller view of the Truth.

Life Snapshot: The Good Life

This morning I was excited that the dish washer was full and clean so I could put the dishes away and get to love my roommates because they often do it. Then I began to realize the thankfulness that had been stirring up in my heart over the past few days. I realized my current life stage: thankfulness.

I have awesome roommates who love Jesus and are pursuing them with all they have in their own style and character, not how someone else has told or forced them to.They are healthy and get to see miracles and hearings happen weekly if not daily with their hands. 

I have an incredible job doing what I love to do naturally, and learning leadership and administrative skill sets that don’t come naturally but will be very beneficial. I have an amazing boss who knows what he’s talking about, is very empowering, believes in people beyond their ability, loves and follows Jesus and is a passionate husband and father. He hires the same caliber of men and women which I am delighted to work with. They love and pursue Jesus, will pray for you on the spot given any circumstance, do phenomenal work, and pull pranks on each other and have great senses of humor. I also can’t forget that we have potentially the most desired office in all of our city.

I get to live in a city in California that is unlike any other city. We find ourselves actually praying for rain because the sun shines here so much that joy overwhelms my soul. We celebrate the sunny days and actually celebrate the rainy season as well.

I’m believed in by my family enough to let me go wherever in the world I feel that God is leading me. Though it’s hard, they support me and encourage me to go into the darkest of areas or the brightest of cities. I’ve never considered my parents getting a divorce and I haven’t been taught how to walk out on your family. My parents set a warm, stable environment for my brother and I to thrive and grow in - letting us try out whatever sports or hobbies we wanted to pursue. My brother is a beast physically and a great friend inter-relationally. He’s a caring husband to a beautiful wife and a great inspirer of those he comes in contact with. And they all love and pursue Jesus.

I can look around the room on any given day and find everyone speaking my language (English, thank you) but yet my friends being from every corner of the globe. It’s not uncommon to have 4-6 countries represented in one photo on my phone. They have amazing hearts, hungry for more, yet satisfied and thankful for what they have. They communicate well, love well, and care passionately about their country. I often sit in a room full of people who will literally change the world.

I get to know the name of the All Creative One, the Supreme Being, the Righteous Ruler, and the Sustainer of Justice. I know His name, but what’s more, I get to know Him. He knows me in minute detail. He cares for me and fights for me. We get to see impossible things happen daily because He is strong and loving and likes to surprise people with how badly He fits into the box. At the end of the day, my life is boiled down and two things are required of me: 1) be best friends with the Supreme Being who is powerful and loving and 2) love people. 

I have a good life. I am incredibly thankful. 

Suffering in Season (A Corrective View)

Don't be surprised when suffering or persecution comes, but don't go looking for it to prove or "mature" your Christian walk. There are different seasons we walk through in life and to search for suffering, is to prematurely leave our season of needed rest. We do not know what is next, but should trust the one, who does know, to move us from season to season accordingly.

We must also consider the momentum of our ancestors. We live in America. To consider our suffering today to be equal to the suffering of the first century Christians is to mock or at best forget the millions of souls who have poured out their lives for the Kingdom of God to advance so we could live in greater freedom and reality of God than they did. I cannot compare, but instead return a heart of thankfulness to God and to the souls who have went before us who have served faithfully. I will press on to carry this freedom to a higher level, advancing the kingdom for God and for my fifth generation beyond me.

I will pray, and Lord willing, will go to the lands who do not have momentum or the freedom of the gospel richly proclaimed and taking root in their society. I will stir the pool of time as I rush the gates of Heaven and rattle the gates of Hell with my prayers and life mission to go beyond what is now seen or predicted for my generation.

So be it in whatever season I am in to be faithful, hungry, content, and in awe of the goodness and glory of God, for His name sake, until my time is complete and my family line has extinguished. For the glory of God in Christ Jesus, I am. Amen.