Have you ever felt like that? So much going on in your life that you're really not sure you are accomplishing anything? It's been that kind of crazy few weeks at Mission: GO Detroit. First, since being unable to renegotiate a new lease with our previous landlord we were blessed by the favor of the Lord with an incredible new space just 1 mile north of our previous space. It is larger, more adequate for our needs, and beautiful inside and out. What a blessing the Lord provided as we were not sure of our next step. So, over Thanksgiving weekend we rounded up as many able bodies as we could and made the one mile move north. Honestly, it may be just as easy to move across country as it is to move up the street.
Couple that with increasing opportunities for service and ministry, and actually having to learn to say "no" to some things, has kept us hopping. Rochelle is working part time with the home school partnership, we continue to teach 3 classes outside the dojo, and are being asked to give special presentations across the area. As I write this I am preparing for one this evening to 50 Boy Scouts working on a Fitness Badge. Again, wondering in all this busyness if we are accomplishing anything.
But as I've been spending this fall in the Book of Psalms I was reminded that the Lord does take notice of what we are doing, especially as others look to us as an example. That was great confirmation for me in this hectic Urban Missionary lifestyle. The Lord notices.
It's a crazy-busy time of the year. If you're not careful you may actually run into yourself in the hallway coming and going. Work, kids, school, hobbies... CHRISTMAS! By the way, please do not miss CHRISTMAS! But remember this, the Lord notices what you are doing. He sees your labors.
Stay faithful and enjoy the journey.
Just a simple thought as I watch the snow fall in Metro Detroit,
Shawn
Serving Those Who Serve Others
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Monday, November 7, 2016
A Man of One Book
It has been an extended period of time since my last blog post. During that time the Lord has been impressing, actually reimpressing, some things on my heart.
A couple weeks ago a dear friend and colleague asked me what I have been reading? He knows me well enough to know that I always have 2 or 3 books going at the same time, which I kind of do. But the Lord has really been laying it on my heart during 2016 to be a man of but one Book. In lingering in the Psalms to end out 2016 I am reminded that the Psalmist in Psalm 1 (I credit David) was a man of one book; "But his delight is in the law of the Lord (God's Word), and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2).
People and busyness can easily lead us astray, and I have found myself astray from God some in 2016. Not venturing into sin as some might assume, but astray with the busyness of ministry and people. I need to reconnect in intimacy with my God. Only one Book can help me do that. Why, because being a man of one Book produces the kind of man God is desiring (Psalm 1:3). I know what it is to be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water, and I know what it is to allow people and ministry to drain me and pull me away from that stream. I need to drive my roots back down and tap into His stream again.
To be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water (Jesus) so that not only am I growing into the stature of a man that God desires, but so that others around me are feeding from the fruit He is producing in me, His Love-Life. As I drink and feed from Jesus other drink and feed from me. Standing firmly rooted by the River of Life (John 7:37-38) not only preserves life but it produces life as the Love-Life of Jesus flows through me to others. Like the Psalmist knew, this is only possible if my roots are deep, firmly rooted in Christ.
Firm roots produce prosperity. Not prosperity that the wicked, or sinner, or scoffer will ever understand. But prosperity is intimacy with Christ, sharing and doing life with Him so that His Love-Life flows through me so that others can eat and drink of Jesus as the River of Life. This is nothing of my own doing, but it is testifying with the Apostle Paul that, "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me, and delivered Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20), so that in His righteousness I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Philippians 3:9-10).
In the Love-Life of Christ I see nothing of surrender, but rather sacrifice. Surrrender speaks to defeat. Christ was not defeated on the cross and I am not defeated when I give my life to Him. Scripture calls for us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), which is not being defeated but rather gaining victory when we present ourselves as living sacrifices. Being a living sacrifice allows us to no longer look like the world or partake of its acceptable ways (Psalm 1:1), but to look and live like Jesus. It is not surrender because of defeat, it is living sacrifice unto victory (1 John 5:4).
Surrender concedes defeat. Christ did not surrender and concede defeat. Rather, Christ sacrificed His life in order to gain for us something better. When we stop surrendering as if God has finally broke us down and defeated us and choose to sacrifice our lives for something better life takes on new meaning and victory as the Love-Life of Christ flows in and through us as a stream of living water (John 7:38).
God's Word teaches this, so for this season of my life I choose to be a man of one Book (Psalm 1:2). I'm not looking for someone else to tell me what God's Word says, I'm believing in the promised gift of the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth (John 16:13-15).
So, what are you reading?
Find the backdoor into people's lives and make your way in with the Love-Life of Christ,
Shawn
A couple weeks ago a dear friend and colleague asked me what I have been reading? He knows me well enough to know that I always have 2 or 3 books going at the same time, which I kind of do. But the Lord has really been laying it on my heart during 2016 to be a man of but one Book. In lingering in the Psalms to end out 2016 I am reminded that the Psalmist in Psalm 1 (I credit David) was a man of one book; "But his delight is in the law of the Lord (God's Word), and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2).
People and busyness can easily lead us astray, and I have found myself astray from God some in 2016. Not venturing into sin as some might assume, but astray with the busyness of ministry and people. I need to reconnect in intimacy with my God. Only one Book can help me do that. Why, because being a man of one Book produces the kind of man God is desiring (Psalm 1:3). I know what it is to be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water, and I know what it is to allow people and ministry to drain me and pull me away from that stream. I need to drive my roots back down and tap into His stream again.
To be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water (Jesus) so that not only am I growing into the stature of a man that God desires, but so that others around me are feeding from the fruit He is producing in me, His Love-Life. As I drink and feed from Jesus other drink and feed from me. Standing firmly rooted by the River of Life (John 7:37-38) not only preserves life but it produces life as the Love-Life of Jesus flows through me to others. Like the Psalmist knew, this is only possible if my roots are deep, firmly rooted in Christ.
Firm roots produce prosperity. Not prosperity that the wicked, or sinner, or scoffer will ever understand. But prosperity is intimacy with Christ, sharing and doing life with Him so that His Love-Life flows through me so that others can eat and drink of Jesus as the River of Life. This is nothing of my own doing, but it is testifying with the Apostle Paul that, "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me, and delivered Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20), so that in His righteousness I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Philippians 3:9-10).
In the Love-Life of Christ I see nothing of surrender, but rather sacrifice. Surrrender speaks to defeat. Christ was not defeated on the cross and I am not defeated when I give my life to Him. Scripture calls for us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), which is not being defeated but rather gaining victory when we present ourselves as living sacrifices. Being a living sacrifice allows us to no longer look like the world or partake of its acceptable ways (Psalm 1:1), but to look and live like Jesus. It is not surrender because of defeat, it is living sacrifice unto victory (1 John 5:4).
Surrender concedes defeat. Christ did not surrender and concede defeat. Rather, Christ sacrificed His life in order to gain for us something better. When we stop surrendering as if God has finally broke us down and defeated us and choose to sacrifice our lives for something better life takes on new meaning and victory as the Love-Life of Christ flows in and through us as a stream of living water (John 7:38).
God's Word teaches this, so for this season of my life I choose to be a man of one Book (Psalm 1:2). I'm not looking for someone else to tell me what God's Word says, I'm believing in the promised gift of the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth (John 16:13-15).
So, what are you reading?
Find the backdoor into people's lives and make your way in with the Love-Life of Christ,
Shawn
A Man of One Book
It has been an extended period of time since my last blog post. During that time the Lord has been impressing, actually reimpressing, some things on my heart.
A couple weeks ago a dear friend and colleague asked me what I have been reading? He knows me well enough to know that I always have 2 or 3 books going at the same time, which I kind of do. But the Lord has really been laying it on my heart during 2016 to be a man of but one Book. In lingering in the Psalms to end out 2016 I am reminded that the Psalmist in Psalm 1 (I credit David) was a man of one book; "But his delight is in the law of the Lord (God's Word), and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2).
People and busyness can easily lead us astray, and I have found myself astray from God some in 2016. Not venturing into sin as some might assume, but astray with the busyness of ministry and people. I need to reconnect in intimacy with my God. Only one Book can help me do that. Why, because being a man of one Book produces the kind of man God is desiring (Psalm 1:3). I know what it is to be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water, and I know what it is to allow people and ministry to drain me and pull me away from that stream. I need to drive my roots back down and tap into His stream again.
To be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water (Jesus) so that not only am I growing into the stature of a man that God desires, but so that others around me are feeding from the fruit He is producing in me, His Love-Life. As I drink and feed from Jesus other drink and feed from me. Standing firmly rooted by the River of Life (John 7:37-38) not only preserves life but it produces life as the Love-Life of Jesus flows through me to others. Like the Psalmist knew, this is only possible if my roots are deep, firmly rooted in Christ.
Firm roots produce prosperity. Not prosperity that the wicked, or sinner, or scoffer will ever understand. But prosperity is intimacy with Christ, sharing and doing life with Him so that His Love-Life flows through me so that others can eat and drink of Jesus as the River of Life. This is nothing of my own doing, but it is testifying with the Apostle Paul that, "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me, and delivered Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20), so that in His righteousness I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Philippians 3:9-10).
In the Love-Life of Christ I see nothing of surrender, but rather sacrifice. Surrrender speaks to defeat. Christ was not defeated on the cross and I am not defeated when I give my life to Him. Scripture calls for us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), which is not being defeated but rather gaining victory when we present ourselves as living sacrifices. Being a living sacrifice allows us to no longer look like the world or partake of its acceptable ways (Psalm 1:1), but to look and live like Jesus. It is not surrender because of defeat, it is living sacrifice unto victory (1 John 5:4).
Surrender concedes defeat. Christ did not surrender and concede defeat. Rather, Christ sacrificed His life in order to gain for us something better. When we stop surrendering as if God has finally broke us down and defeated us and choose to sacrifice our lives for something better life takes on new meaning and victory as the Love-Life of Christ flows in and through us as a stream of living water (John 7:38).
God's Word teaches this, so for this season of my life I choose to be a man of one Book (Psalm 1:2). I'm not looking for someone else to tell me what God's Word says, I'm believing in the promised gift of the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth (John 16:13-15).
So, what are you reading?
Find the backdrop into people's lives and make your way in with the Love-Life of Christ,
Shawn
A couple weeks ago a dear friend and colleague asked me what I have been reading? He knows me well enough to know that I always have 2 or 3 books going at the same time, which I kind of do. But the Lord has really been laying it on my heart during 2016 to be a man of but one Book. In lingering in the Psalms to end out 2016 I am reminded that the Psalmist in Psalm 1 (I credit David) was a man of one book; "But his delight is in the law of the Lord (God's Word), and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2).
People and busyness can easily lead us astray, and I have found myself astray from God some in 2016. Not venturing into sin as some might assume, but astray with the busyness of ministry and people. I need to reconnect in intimacy with my God. Only one Book can help me do that. Why, because being a man of one Book produces the kind of man God is desiring (Psalm 1:3). I know what it is to be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water, and I know what it is to allow people and ministry to drain me and pull me away from that stream. I need to drive my roots back down and tap into His stream again.
To be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water (Jesus) so that not only am I growing into the stature of a man that God desires, but so that others around me are feeding from the fruit He is producing in me, His Love-Life. As I drink and feed from Jesus other drink and feed from me. Standing firmly rooted by the River of Life (John 7:37-38) not only preserves life but it produces life as the Love-Life of Jesus flows through me to others. Like the Psalmist knew, this is only possible if my roots are deep, firmly rooted in Christ.
Firm roots produce prosperity. Not prosperity that the wicked, or sinner, or scoffer will ever understand. But prosperity is intimacy with Christ, sharing and doing life with Him so that His Love-Life flows through me so that others can eat and drink of Jesus as the River of Life. This is nothing of my own doing, but it is testifying with the Apostle Paul that, "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me, and delivered Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20), so that in His righteousness I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Philippians 3:9-10).
In the Love-Life of Christ I see nothing of surrender, but rather sacrifice. Surrrender speaks to defeat. Christ was not defeated on the cross and I am not defeated when I give my life to Him. Scripture calls for us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), which is not being defeated but rather gaining victory when we present ourselves as living sacrifices. Being a living sacrifice allows us to no longer look like the world or partake of its acceptable ways (Psalm 1:1), but to look and live like Jesus. It is not surrender because of defeat, it is living sacrifice unto victory (1 John 5:4).
Surrender concedes defeat. Christ did not surrender and concede defeat. Rather, Christ sacrificed His life in order to gain for us something better. When we stop surrendering as if God has finally broke us down and defeated us and choose to sacrifice our lives for something better life takes on new meaning and victory as the Love-Life of Christ flows in and through us as a stream of living water (John 7:38).
God's Word teaches this, so for this season of my life I choose to be a man of one Book (Psalm 1:2). I'm not looking for someone else to tell me what God's Word says, I'm believing in the promised gift of the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth (John 16:13-15).
So, what are you reading?
Find the backdrop into people's lives and make your way in with the Love-Life of Christ,
Shawn
A Man of One Book
It has been an extended period of time since my last blog post. During that time the Lord has been impressing, actually reimpressing, some things on my heart.
A couple weeks ago a dear friend and colleague asked me what I have been reading? He knows me well enough to know that I always have 2 or 3 books going at the same time, which I kind of do. But the Lord has really been laying it on my heart during 2016 to be a man of but one Book. In lingering in the Psalms to end out 2016 I am reminded that the Psalmist in Psalm 1 (I credit David) was a man of one book; "But his delight is in the law of the Lord (God's Word), and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2).
People and busyness can easily lead us astray, and I have found myself astray from God some in 2016. Not venturing into sin as some might assume, but astray with the busyness of ministry and people. I need to reconnect in intimacy with my God. Only one Book can help me do that. Why, because being a man of one Book produces the kind of man God is desiring (Psalm 1:3). I know what it is to be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water, and I know what it is to allow people and ministry to drain me and pull me away from that stream. I need to drive my roots back down and tap into His stream again.
To be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water (Jesus) so that not only am I growing into the stature of a man that God desires, but so that others around me are feeding from the fruit He is producing in me, His Love-Life. As I drink and feed from Jesus other drink and feed from me. Standing firmly rooted by the River of Life (John 7:37-38) not only preserves life but it produces life as the Love-Life of Jesus flows through me to others. Like the Psalmist knew, this is only possible if my roots are deep, firmly rooted in Christ.
Firm roots produce prosperity. Not prosperity that the wicked, or sinner, or scoffer will ever understand. But prosperity is intimacy with Christ, sharing and doing life with Him so that His Love-Life flows through me so that others can eat and drink of Jesus as the River of Life. This is noting of my own doing, but it is testifying with the Apostle Paul that, "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me, and delivered Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20). So that in His righteousness I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." (Philippians 3:9-10).
In the Love-Life of Christ I see nothing of surrender, but rather sacrifice. Surrrender speaks to defeat. Christ was not defeated on the cross and I am not defeated when I give my life to Him. Scripture calls for us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), which is not being defeated but rather gaining victory when we present ourselves as living sacrifices. Being a living sacrifice allows us to no longer look like the world or partake of its acceptable ways (Psalm 1:1), but to look and live like Jesus. It. Is not surrender because of defeat, it is living sacrifice unto victory (1 John 5:4).
Surrender concedes defeat. Christ did not surrender and concede defeat. Rather, Christ sacrificed His life in order to gain for us something better. When we stop surrendering as if God has finally broke us down and defeated us and choose to sacrifice our lives for something better life takes on new meaning and victory as the Love-Life of Christ flows in and through us as a stream of living water (John 7:38).
God's Word teaches this, so for this season of my life I choose to be a man of one Book (Psalm 1:2). I'm not looking for someone else to tell me what God's Word says, I'm believing in the promised gift of the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth (John 16:13-15).
So, what are you reading?
Find the backdrop intopeople's lives and make your way with the Love-Life of Christ,
Shawn
A couple weeks ago a dear friend and colleague asked me what I have been reading? He knows me well enough to know that I always have 2 or 3 books going at the same time, which I kind of do. But the Lord has really been laying it on my heart during 2016 to be a man of but one Book. In lingering in the Psalms to end out 2016 I am reminded that the Psalmist in Psalm 1 (I credit David) was a man of one book; "But his delight is in the law of the Lord (God's Word), and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2).
People and busyness can easily lead us astray, and I have found myself astray from God some in 2016. Not venturing into sin as some might assume, but astray with the busyness of ministry and people. I need to reconnect in intimacy with my God. Only one Book can help me do that. Why, because being a man of one Book produces the kind of man God is desiring (Psalm 1:3). I know what it is to be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water, and I know what it is to allow people and ministry to drain me and pull me away from that stream. I need to drive my roots back down and tap into His stream again.
To be planted firmly like a tree by streams of living water (Jesus) so that not only am I growing into the stature of a man that God desires, but so that others around me are feeding from the fruit He is producing in me, His Love-Life. As I drink and feed from Jesus other drink and feed from me. Standing firmly rooted by the River of Life (John 7:37-38) not only preserves life but it produces life as the Love-Life of Jesus flows through me to others. Like the Psalmist knew, this is only possible if my roots are deep, firmly rooted in Christ.
Firm roots produce prosperity. Not prosperity that the wicked, or sinner, or scoffer will ever understand. But prosperity is intimacy with Christ, sharing and doing life with Him so that His Love-Life flows through me so that others can eat and drink of Jesus as the River of Life. This is noting of my own doing, but it is testifying with the Apostle Paul that, "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loves me, and delivered Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20). So that in His righteousness I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." (Philippians 3:9-10).
In the Love-Life of Christ I see nothing of surrender, but rather sacrifice. Surrrender speaks to defeat. Christ was not defeated on the cross and I am not defeated when I give my life to Him. Scripture calls for us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), which is not being defeated but rather gaining victory when we present ourselves as living sacrifices. Being a living sacrifice allows us to no longer look like the world or partake of its acceptable ways (Psalm 1:1), but to look and live like Jesus. It. Is not surrender because of defeat, it is living sacrifice unto victory (1 John 5:4).
Surrender concedes defeat. Christ did not surrender and concede defeat. Rather, Christ sacrificed His life in order to gain for us something better. When we stop surrendering as if God has finally broke us down and defeated us and choose to sacrifice our lives for something better life takes on new meaning and victory as the Love-Life of Christ flows in and through us as a stream of living water (John 7:38).
God's Word teaches this, so for this season of my life I choose to be a man of one Book (Psalm 1:2). I'm not looking for someone else to tell me what God's Word says, I'm believing in the promised gift of the Holy Spirit to lead me into all truth (John 16:13-15).
So, what are you reading?
Find the backdrop intopeople's lives and make your way with the Love-Life of Christ,
Shawn
Friday, October 7, 2016
Unspoken Word on the Street
You tell me of this Jesus and His great love for me
But in your life of words and actions it's hypocrisy
I've read the Book you gave me; thanks for the compassion for all to see
But I hear the things you say about me: lazy; won't work; a dreg on society
You think I want to live like this: food stamps; section 8; and Medicaid
But the truth is I feel ashamed; worthless; lack of dignity
I don't need another preacher from the burbs hawking at me
I need a missionary heart loving life into me
You ask me to come to your church but you won't come sit on my porch
I know it's hard and can be scary too, but if the JW's and LDS can do it why not you?
I really want this Jesus and the life you say He gives so free
I'm just afraid and need you to do this new life with me
So don't let my words offend you; please don't stay away
Come a little closer, despite them, because my belief in Jesus might be today
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Hold Nothing Back
Come as you are, every area of your life exposed
Hold nothing back, every member of your body; sins untold
I hear your voice, the way in which to live
But guilt wages war as what I want and what I do are not the same within
So not just the whole, but each part alone
I bring to the Savior; saved... sanctified... whole
And as it is for me, let it be for Your Church
That the world may know the love-life of Christ
Available for all who search
Hold nothing back, every member of your body; sins untold
I hear your voice, the way in which to live
But guilt wages war as what I want and what I do are not the same within
So not just the whole, but each part alone
I bring to the Savior; saved... sanctified... whole
And as it is for me, let it be for Your Church
That the world may know the love-life of Christ
Available for all who search
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Give Him Your Burdens
The burdens of life can be so heavy
Shoulders aching under the strain
The stresses of each day so many
No relief to be found for the day
But the is a Savior who carries our burdens away
"Bring them to Me," He said
"Exchange your yoke which is heavy,
And take up Mine which is light" today
"I will give you life," He said
Life abounding in joy
The burdens of this life that once seemed so heavy
Now laid down at the cross of Calvary no longer my life to sway
Shoulders aching under the strain
The stresses of each day so many
No relief to be found for the day
But the is a Savior who carries our burdens away
"Bring them to Me," He said
"Exchange your yoke which is heavy,
And take up Mine which is light" today
"I will give you life," He said
Life abounding in joy
The burdens of this life that once seemed so heavy
Now laid down at the cross of Calvary no longer my life to sway
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