Praying for Passion

Mmm... Russia... There are so many things I could say about this country and culture. Life here is so different! Sometimes its frustrating, sometimes its exhausting, oftentimes its confusing. Yet, even in the midst of the frustration, exhaustion, and confusion, the people and their culture are SO beautiful! There is so much potential in these people and a desire for life to the fullest. I see it especially in the young people; my students here are so motivated. My deep desire is that my friends here will discover the fullness of life that comes through faith in Jesus. My heart breaks for the lostness of this city that is my home for these two short months. I am praying for passion to spread like wildfire among the believers here, passion that starts revival! I am praying for the good news of Jesus' love, life, death, and resurrection to spread throughout this city until everyone has heard! Please, Jesus, pour out Your Spirit on this place and these people!!

Misplaced Loyalties

This is Memorial Day Weekend here in the States. Memorial Day is a secular national holiday that was created for the purpose of remembering and honoring soldiers and veterans. Somewhere along the way of history, the American church has whole-heartedly embraced this holiday and the patriotism that accompanies it. This morning at church, we started the service with a procession of the American and Christian flags, the Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance. Seemingly apologetically, the Pledge to the Christian flag was thrown in as well. Then all of our music time this morning was patriotic music. As this show of Americana was taking place, my heart was breaking! Here we were, assembled to worship God and we pledge ourselves to a country that is not our home. (As Christians, our citizenship is in heaven despite what our passports might say!) Then, instead of singing songs in honor and worship of our King Jesus, we sing about how great this country is. Surely our 'worship' this morning was not the pleasing and acceptable kind of worship that we were created for. Now, don't get me wrong, I am thankful for my American passport and the freedoms that come with it, but I am MUCH more thankful for my heavenly citizenship and the unmerited love and grace of my KING JESUS!

How Did We Get Here?

I spent some time tonight talking with a friend about life, faith, church and just about everything else under the sun. It is amazing how God uses unexpected people in my life to confirm His promptings and compellings.

When Jesus sent out His followers, he didn't instruct them to build huge campuses and re-carpet the gym every couple of years. He didn't tell them to make themselves at home and as comfortable as possible. Jesus never even said they should invite people to church. He told His followers to GO. They were to go into all the world. They were to take the light, life and love of Jesus to the broken, wounded and dying in the dark and lonely places. They were, as we are, to LOVE and allow Jesus to draw people to Himself through that love.

How have we as the body of Christ gotten so far away from that purpose? Jesus is prompting, compelling, and wooing me into a lifestyle of missional living. What exactly does that look like? I'm not really sure yet, but I know it involves popping my 'christian bubble' and loving tangibly in the midst of the brokenness around me.