Missing the Point

"Jesus, I thought I'd bring a few issues to you this Friday.  

1. It seems that bitterness is growing in our nation.  We've built our sand castles on success and the "American dream" and the waves have exposed them as far less than sturdy.  It's even in the church.  We've forgotten how to define ministry the way you do.  Appearances are valued more than substance even in the gathering of your people.  When our castles don't support us the way we would like we get angry and blame people... usually the wrong people.  
I think the church needs revival

2. There are a a lot of people who are dear to me that are really having a hard time right now.  I keep trying to come up with the right words that will cause people to know your power and find that my words don't cut it.  I guess we need to quit trying to find ways to "fix" people and risk loving them through what often doesn't make sense.  We're not enough.  The stuff is too big for us.  We have no quick solutions.  We really need to learn how to be more dependent on you and less dependent on comfort.
I think the church needs revival

3. Our idols keep us too busy for you.  I didn't mean to say "idols," that was a slip on my part.  They aren't idols - they are priorities.  It's not like I bow down to them... I just hold them higher than you.  That's not an idol is it?  It's just that everything is so important right now.  You are eternity, but I'm doing "right now" right now.  Sometimes I wonder what single surrender looks and feels like.  I'm trying to surrender to a lot of different things.
I think the church needs revival.

4. Too many people haven't placed their faith in you and that doesn't really worry us.  I think we are not as passionate about the lost as you are.  We can send a check or let someone else carry that load.  
I think the church needs revival.

5. Toleration has pretended to be unity.  It's too risky to be real.  I guess it's better to be a surfer than a deep sea diver.  Staying on the surface is ok isn't it?  The busy thing is part of this.  I don't have the time to really walk with someone through the journey.  The journey is best left as an individual thing.  I know you had different plans, but that's how we've learned to do it.  
I think the church needs revival.

6. We care so much about what I can't find in the Bible.
I think the church needs revival.

The answers seem to be the same.  

I'm going to work on a list of people that need to let you bring revival.  I know if they would get on the ball life would be different for them and the church.

Well, It's been nice talking with you Jesus.  
Amen."

Missing the Point,

Dave

Friday Thought

Paul to Agrippa "I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." (Acts 26:29)

Is that part of the heart of the Christian church?  Have we surrendered so fully to what God is doing in our spirits that we can proclaim, "I want you to have what I have?  I pray that God would do for your soul what I have let him do in mine."

In context Paul wasn't hoping people would mimic his personal characteristics, he was proclaiming a desire that all listening would know Jesus and let Him change their worlds like He did Paul's.  What Paul "was" was a believer.

Requirements before I can say what Paul said:
1. I must be fully repentant for who I have been and what I have done.  I've got to cross through the fire of conviction and repentance before I can wade in the waters of freedom.
2. I have to let grace do its job.  In other words If I confess and repent I must not demand to continue to punish myself for what I have been forgiven of.  Paul had regrets, but he moved on.
3. I have to be willing to engage in what God has for me.  I can't long for God to bring you to where I am if where I am is on the couch of spiritual stagnation.  I would never wish that someone else would know mediocrity.
4. I must embrace the ever growing and changing nature of the spiritual journey.  There is never to be a time when I stop growing and learning of God.
5. I must be honest about what is negative.  "I don't want you to have to deal with ______, but I want you to know Jesus."      
6. I need to surrender to what He has called me to - even if it is chains.  And when the chains happen (whatever form they take) I am to remain focused on what is eternal.
7. I need to let God make me what He longs for me to be.  Now I am angry - He will make me compassionate.  Now I am feeble - He will build up my spirit.  Now I am faithless - He will move mountains through me.  Before I can say what Paul said I need to let God be who God is.  

The reason that's important is because He wants us to be able to say what Paul said!

My Sample:
Today I struggle with a cold and I hunger to be in the center of God's will.  I pray that you would all know what God is doing in me... except for the cold.  

What would happen if we all had prayers like that?

Your Sample:
  "Lord I pray that _____ would know the freedom that you are taking me to, but protect them from the scars I have."

I dreaming about what could happen to our church/city if...

Servant,

Pastor Dave