"Next!"

Standing in line for over an hour, I rocked back and forth to keep the blood flowing through my legs. I looked at the others in line. Of all walks of life, some in jeans and t-shirts others dressed for work. One man in a suit impatiently made a bee-line to the woman behind the counter. After a brief dismissal he fumed as he made his way to the back of the line. I shuffled through my papers as I day dreamed of running through wide-open fields. Finally, I was standing face-to-face with the one who could complete this mundane task and relieve me of my boredom. The matter-of-fact woman took one look at my DMV papers, muttered something about “wrong line” and directed me to line 2. I took a quick glance at line 2 and it had an even longer line than the one I was just in. As I was about to protest, she commanded “NEXT” that would send shivers down the back of General Patton. Resigned that I would have to forage for food to survive, I took my place in the back of line two.

I desired to achieve something (a new driver’s license), but had to do what was necessary to fulfill the requirements (training, testing, paperwork and now standing in line) of CA state law. Now, 20+ years later, I still loathe the thought of standing in line due to the wasted hours that day just to fulfill the DMV requirements for a driver’s license.

In my study in Mark, Jesus was often accused of not fulfilling the law by Pharisees and Teachers of the Law as they sought to discredit him before the people. In Mark 7 Jesus redirected the fulfillment of the law was deeper than the surface traditions of men. As Jesus was accused of not washing himself according to the traditions of the elders, He revealed a new fulfillment of the law.

Nothing outside a man can make him ‘unclean’ by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him ‘unclean. – Mark 7:15

Jesus further explained that it is from within that makes a man unclean: evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, evil, slander and folly. The Pharisees had their attention and focus on the details of man’s traditions instead of the heart of God’s commands. Jesus became increasingly irritated with them as He saw that their requirements to “fulfill the law” were frustrating and demoralizing the Jewish people. I am glad that I follow the Law of Christ and not man’s traditions. Jesus Christ came to fulfill the law of Moses and of the Prophets and fully satisfied the requirements for right standing before God our Father.

At the DMV that day, I felt helpless and exasperated at being under the circumstances and control of another’s requirements. I was relieved when I finally walked out of the DMV office with my shiny new driver’s license. But as I fumbled for my keys my joy quickly dissipated when I remembered I had to return within a month for smog/inspection and register my rusty 1973 yellow Ford Pinto.

Wind and Waves

We were stunned in awe at the tidal wave tossing around cars, fishing boats and demolishing buildings as it swept through the Japanese cities. As I watch on TV the various videos from the 8.9 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the terrifying power of the water seems surreal, or from a movie, yet to those present it is very real. Like a tourist on the African Savannah frozen in fear in the line of a charging bull elephant, so the witnesses helplessly stood as they saw the water rush through buildings and homes, as they heard the roar of the water, and felt the power of nature. Seven days later, we are still assessing the damage done by this horrific natural disaster as the missing and dead climb into the thousands, the displaced tens of thousands without homes and jobs, and the battle to contain the failing nuclear reactors. We pray.

There have always been large natural disasters throughout history, however, we often view mass destruction in impoverished and unprepared 3rd world cities like Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Japan is very different as a leading nation in science and technology, with the 3rd largest economy in the world. Through our modern advancements, I think we develop a false sense of control and containment of nature. We build buildings that can withstand seismic movement, sea walls to contain tsunamis, detection and warning systems in place, yet we are still helpless in the path of a charging earthquake, tsunami, hurricane, or tornado. We don’t like to think we are vulnerable, but we are.

In my study of the Gospel of Mark, we witness a natural disaster taking place while Jesus and the Disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee found in Mark 4:35-41. Some of the disciples were experienced fisherman and seaman, yet as the storm rose into a terrifying squall of rain, screaming wind, and punishing waves, they became fearful for their lives. Jesus slept. They awoke him with an accusation, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. The disciples sat stunned in the presence of such power and were terrified. They said, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

The disciples learned many lessons during their three year intensive training, and during the storm they witnessed first hand that Jesus, the Teacher, the Son of God, had authority and power over nature. The Creator has control and containment over His creation. When we witness the power of nature we feel powerless, filled with fear, and at its mercy. Awesome power. When we witness the power and authority of Christ we fall to our knees in fear and awe. When we experience His love by grace, mercy and forgivness He helps us to our feet and we stand in praise and joy.

As Jesus calmed the wind and the waves, he turns to his disciples and questions them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” Even in the midst of life’s storms through natural disasters, family and relationships, financial stress, health or other, we can face it with faith. A knowledge, belief, trust and hope that the One we follow is the only One who has authority and power greater than the storm.

Today pray for the displaced individuals and families affected by this disaster, for the Christians and Christian relief ministries to serve and share the faith we have in Christ. Pray that they might find Jesus in the midst of the storm.

Help, give, & pray for Japan, go to: http://www.convoyofhope.org/

Mustard Seed Ministries

One issue many small churches face is relevancy, worth and avoiding defeatism. In our present church culture we are inundated by what a successful church is, usually a mega-church, with highly visible pastors/ministries, with a far-reaching community influence. Praise God for their ministry and mission. The reality is that the vast majority of churches are not mega-churches (over 2,000) in attendance; they are small churches (under 100) in attendance. Yet, we rarely think of a small church as a successful, thriving, missional church. Has God abandoned the small church? If a small church does not become, or work toward being a mega-church has it failed in its mission? Is the small church culturally and Biblically irrelevant in our present world? Is the small church a vital part of God’s plan for Christ’s body to fulfill the Great Commission?

For us at the Journey Church we are a small church, our facility will max out at 150 with multiple services. Currently we average about 60 on Sun. morning and 40 Wed. night with 30 attending Connection groups. Church finances are about the income of a two professional household. We are a typical small church.

I feel strongly that God has not abandoned the small church. The primary mission of a small church is to not become a mega-church. Small churches do not need to be culturally or biblically irrelevant. And Emphatically YES! Small churches are a vital part of God’s plan, as a member of Christ’s body, to fulfill the Great Commission in our present world?  Jesus shared a principle that emphasizes this point, Mustard Seed ministry:

He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.”-Matthew 13:31-32

Those attending or pastoring within a small church, the ministry may appear to be insignificant, unnoticed, or irrelevant to the world, like a small mustard seed. Yet, as we live our lives in vibrant, humble faith, we allow the Holy Spirit to use us as willing vessels for his glory. To encourage all to join this life changing journey in a life of Christ. To walk beside a struggling brother or sister who needs individual love, direction and encouragement. To fully participate and worship together as a priority in our week, proclaiming how great and awesome is our God. To grow and serve together within the intimacy and security of classes and small groups.

We, within the small church, simply need to be authentic to what God has called us to be and to fully embrace the life, worship, and service Christ has invited each one of us to. If we focus on who we are and celebrate the unique opportunities we have as a small church instead of looking wistfully in comparison to other ministries, we can then joyfully embrace the small church.  With God all He requires is the mustard seed.