Children & the Voice of God...

Last week me with a few friends headed out to Westminster, Maryland. We were ministering at Faith Christian School, during their spring spiritual emphasis week.

All week, we were walking through the story of Daniel from the Old Testament. It's amazing how many parallels exist between what young Daniel experienced and the realities that young people in America are confronted with. Though the language, context and era's differ drastically, the core essence of the imposing challenges have a striking resemblance.

On Thursday, we were looking at how God spoke to Daniel, placed things inside Daniel's heart and mind, and purposed to use Daniel to influence his generation and the culture around him. We proposed the question: "What if God desires to speak to us and like Daniel? What if God's purpose is to use us to influence our generation and the culture around us? What would He say to us? What would He say to you?"

It was during this time at the morning chapel, which consisted of Kindergarten to fifth grade, that I had Ashlynn (one of our team members) come forward. Ashylnn is an eleven-year-old fifth grader. She shared that this past fall, she asked God that very question, "God, what do you want to use me to do to change the world around me?" She immediately heard God speak to her. "Ashylnn," God said, "I want you to go to a nursing home and pray for sick people."

"That afternoon," Ashylnn shared, "I called my grand-father and asked him if he would come and pick me up and take me to a nursing home." He came. They went. And, Ashlynn began praying for sick people. (Did I mention it was in a nursing home?) Ashlynn, then began to share of some things God spoke to her after she did that and the outcomes.

After she finished, I simply turned to the room full of K-5th graders and asked, "Anybody have any questions for Ashlynn?" Immediately, hands went up all over the room. And for the next twenty-five minutes these children asked question after question about hearing God, how to know if it's really God. I've been in settings with adults and not heard some of the questions I heard from these little ones.

Ashlynn answered question after question... She shared how God speaks to her. The learning process she's journeyed to understand what's her thoughts and that which is God's, and how to listen. She broke out into a mini-workshop on the various ways God speaks to us today. From thoughts in our minds, to mental pictures, to visions, to dreams, and so forth. Did I mention she's eleven?

Every little eye was peering forward, bottoms had moved to the edge of the seats, bodies leaning forward, as ears were tuned into what was being said. At the same time, there was a sacred sense beginning to fill the room. These children actually began to believe that God could speak to them, through them, in such a way to actually use them to change the world around them. I'm not sure which was a cooler sight, the look on these kid's faces as they heard this, or the expression on the teacher's faces as they were realizing she was simply sharing from personal knowledge, study and experience without any clue sheet, cue card or guided prompting from an adult.

When we finished with this time, we handed out paper plates and markers. We had the students spread out around the room and simply ask God the question that was earlier proposed. The question that simply gives God space to speak into our lives, into our circumstances, how He longs for us to be the change. We started with simply saying, "God, what do you want me to do this summer?" Within a few minutes, many of the students had stuff written on their plates.

We wrapped up by having children pray with one another about what God had spoken to them. Several of them shared with the whole group what they were to do... Amazing, absolutely amazing, not to mention inspiring. God is so creative!

Women in Ministry: A Look at What Scripture Says

Over the past several months at Southgate, we've been wrestling through what Scripture says about women in leadership. Our current bylaws don't state that a woman can't serve in a position of leadership, but it has seemed to be our understanding of them, as well as our praxis has demonstrated something other. Therefore, we sensed the need to wrestle through Scripture and Tradition. 

This past sunday night at our annual business meeting our congregation voted on two females who will serve on our deacon board. While woman have been leading in various capacities, this public recognition does seem to be significant for the ongoing movement of our community. 

Below is a teaching that we presented to our congregation in regards to what Scripture says about women and how we've come to understand their place in the Body of Christ.

The Story of Scripture: Understanding & Interpreting the Bible From 30,000 Feet

Have you ever showed up late for a move? It's a sick, sick feeling, isn't it? It's not uncommon to see people briskly walking, even running with  popcorn and drink in hand, as the look for the number corresponding to their movie ticket. They run, because they understand something very fundamental to all movies and novels. For, it is in the first few opening scenes (or pages) that the story begins to take shape and characters development. Missing the nuances surrounding the plot or character can leave one lost, sometimes for the entire movie.  Very few people will simply wander into a movie that's already started, even if it started only minutes ago. Rather, they'll wait until a later showing.

Likewise, who buys a novel and turns to page 55 and begins reading? No one! For we acutely understand that every sub plot is only fully understood within the context of the larger plot these sub-plots find themselves in. 

As oddly as this sounds, many violate these very principles every day with the greatest Story ever penned - Scripture. We often read it, and live off the life of the sub-narratives, without a clear understanding of the overarching plot of Scripture. For example, many love the story of Daniel in the lions den. In fact, for many adults, that's all they know about Daniel. Understanding this element of Daniel's life may make for a great lesson, sermon or flannel graph. However, if that's all I know, I've missed the whole point of Daniel's life, mission and purpose. I fail to see how Daniel fits in to the unfolding narrative of Scripture. This is true with all of our favorite Bible characters. We need more than their story, we need to understand how they fit in to the larger story. Without such insight, we can never accurately understand and interpret Scripture. Further, our hopes of becoming "biblical Christians" living out the message of Scripture in the day and age that we live in will be virtually impossible.

Starting this Wednesday at Southgate, we'll be taking a five-week tour of Scripture. We'll be looking not only at the Story of Scripture, we'll look at the different ways it has been read and interpreted. Our ultimate goal is, how can I apply and live the essence of Scripture in the time and place that I find my existence.

April in the Loft

It is the desire of Southgate Kids to immerse our children in the adventurous and life forming Story of Scripture. In September we began exploring the creation narrative of Genesis. October and November we studied how God created humans in His own image and what that means for us to also be created in His image.

Through January and February, we began to look at the choice God gave Adam and Eve in the garden. We wrestled with why God put the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden and how God ultimately wants us to love Him because we want to love Him, not because we have to.

Further, during these months, we examined the lie and temptation proposed by the Serpent and the corresponding effects on humanity as a result of the choice to disobey God. In short, in Adam, we all were “disconnected” from God.

During March we began to see how Jesus is the Second Adam and came to restore everything that was lost with the original sin of Adam and Eve.

This month, we will be talking more about not only Who Jesus Was/Is, but also what He did for us on the cross. We will see that one of the things Jesus accomplished on the cross is a way for each of us to be “re-connected” with God. As a means of “remembering what Jesus did” for us, we will be taking communion Easter Sunday. The “remembering” Jesus instructed us to do in the Gospels, doesn’t merely look to an event that happened in the past, but to a Story this is ongoing in the present.

Our prayer is that our children will not only cognitively remember what happened long ago, but also will personally experience and be re-membered to Christ in an intimate and ongoing relationship.

SOLO: AN UNCOMMON DEVOTIONAL

I frequently talk to people who read the Bible, but readily admit, they don't know how to read the Bible. They affirm they need to, but simply struggle with where to start or how to begin. Reading ends up being a chore, a check-list, an endeavor without much life transforming fruit.

Scripture, in-tandem with the Spirit of God, possesses the power to transform our very whole being.

Recently, I picked up Eugene Peterson's Solo: An Uncommon Devotional. It's quite different than any devotional I've seen. It's developed around the ancient practice of engaging Scripture known as Lectio Divina. It consists of a passage of Scripture (from the Message rendering of Scripture) followed by applicable ways to engage that particular passage via lectio divina (READ, THINK, PRAY, LIVE).

If you've found yourself in a route or perhaps looking for (needing) a fresh approach to engaging Scripture, this could be an excellent option. You will definately find yourself engaging the Story of Scripture in personal and transformative ways.

When Doves Fly :: Becoming Who You Are...

Recently I was reflecting on my "personal paradigm" of spirituality. In other words, what are some of the broad underlying concepts that influence and shape how I see the with-God life lived and expressed. The following image illustrates this developing paradigm. Below the image is my interpretation of what some of the different elements are and what they convey.


Background: The background is a path in the woods with a destination that is unclear and unseen. Each of us is journeying down the path called life. There is much that surrounds it and though we may have some sense of direction where we're headed, generally it is somewhat unclear and unseen. We rest intimately knowing that God is on this pilgrimage with us. As Solomon said, “in all your ways acknowledge Him.” The beautiful thing about this passage is the Hebrew phrasing literally means, “in all of your journeys, no matter life leads you, intimately and experientially know God as a wife knows her husband.” This is a promise of an actual reality. The background is amply captured in one of my favorite quotes,

“The Journey is the Destination.”

The Hands: God is journeying with us. He is firm and sovereign, yet gentle and guiding. The left hand has a firm grip on the frame. He is committed to keeping us from falling. At the same time, His right hand, the hand that guides us is gentle and un-forced.

“The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.”
(Psalm 37:23-24)

The Frame: has at least two opposite meanings. On the one hand, life is often reduced to a stagnant and flat one-dimensional existence. This isn’t what life was intended to be. Unfortunately, for many, this is the only reality they’ve ever know. It may very well seem “normal,” but in essence the hands of life have been tied and our true self has been left hanging in the closet.

On the other hand, the frame represents our God initiated efforts. Patterns and practices that when intentionally engaged become the framework for the Spirit of God to move and transform us and release us into a vibrant three-dimensional reality.

The Dove: Represents a person fully alive. A person who is aware of God's present activity, as well as the sacredness of the present moment. It is a reality of being sensitive to the promptings and influence of the Holy Spirit within the everyday moments of life. Such a life is characterized by a sense of freedom, joy, wonder, mystery and adventure. This is a life lived in-the-Spirit, the with-God life.

What image would you use to communicate your personal paradigm?

Understanding Dreams: Recognizing God's Voice in the Night

Last night, we finished up a 3-week learning experiment, The Art of Hearing God & Speaking to Others. Some of the stories that began to emerge were inspiring. God is present and active within our daily circumstances, unfortunately, often we are simply unaware.

There is another place God is present that we are often unaware... Our sleep.

The average person dreams multiple times each night. Is there more to a dream than too much pizza or the stress of one’s day? Throughout Scripture God uses dreams often to speak to His people. Chances are He’s speaking to you through dreams as well.

Join us for a two-week study in understanding dreams, what the mean and how God speaks to us through them.

Understanding Dreams: Recognizing God's Voice in the Night
Dates: March 25 & April 1
Time: 7:00-8:30
Place: Southgate Church