I am from...

This is a product of one of my school assignments where we reflect on where we are "from" to try to understand and reflect on our contextual education site, which is working with refugees and immigrants.

I AM FROM

I am from below the gnat line and I-16, where we grow corn, peanuts, and collard greens.

From Jacksonville, Claxton, and Metter I’ve roamed 

but a small town in Vidalia is where I call home. 

Its a quaint little town where its sweet onions are renown, 

where Friday nights mean football lights, 

And respect for the elderly is always shown.

From my Grandparents I learned to persevere through difficulty,

From Mom I learned to joke and save,

And Dad I learned the meaning of integrity.

At night I could gaze at the stars and enjoy the handiwork of our Creator,

I would fish, plant, and play music praising my Savior.

Where raising livestock was common 
and you'll see goats, pigs, chickens, and cattle quite of’en,

I am from place where pine trees where king, 

and exploring in the woods was my adventurin'.

I lived in a home, which meant unlocked doors, 

sweet tea, fish frys and nightly chores.

I lived in the country where barefoot was an option

And in the neighbors fields lay southern snow, aka cotton.

From joy, sorrow, and curiosity, growing up here made me, me.

the finale of my not book review

So in my last blog I talked about what God was teaching me and I mentioned a few things I had gathered from The Next Christians: The Good News About the End of Christian America.  I tried really hard to not go overboard and do a full book review but alas I most continue on my conclusions of my "not book review. " Gabe Lyons did an excellent job putting a bow on the whole thing.  I wanted to verbally shout "YES!" but remembered that I was in the coffeeshop before the excitement passed my gums.  Lyons did his homework and read up on C.S. Lewis' essay "First and Second Things." He quoted the beloved apologists' word saying, "You can't get second thing by putting them first; you can get second things only putting first things first."  In expounding on his point he totally Jesus jukes the most modern church thinking. (Fyi in this particular case it is not performed in a negative way but if you are unfamiliar with this term Jesus juke please see http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/2010/11/the-jesus-juke/) Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  Too often we fall into the trap of putting our priorities in the wrong order.  When focus on who God is and on living the countercultural life He has called us to (see Matthew 5-7, Matt. 22:36-40) second things will fall in place.

     So maybe the question I want to ask my readers (as few as there maybe) what are the second things the church makes a big priority that would probably fall in place if we in fact sought first His kingdom?

From UnXian to Next Xian

I have been so encouraged lately with everything G-d has been teaching me through His Word and His people. After finishing studying Luke with the local college small group, teaching my students about the importance of doing the work Christ has set out and created us for, writing commentary on James, and reading a new book, I am just overwhelmed with a call to action.  A call that that isn't passive but active. A reminder that God's Spirit is within me and that makes my body a temple which in turn calls me to a lifestyle of worship 24/7. Something that most of us "know and believe" but I'm not sure I let that reality be reality.   I can flap my gums sharing my belief that orthodoxy and orthopraxy are both equally important sides of a scale that demands balance but until I ask G-d for more of Him and less of me, it is an unfeasible task.
Throughout Luke, I see Jesus Christ humbly put on humanity, dealing with the low of society, the reprobate, the unclean, and what the world would say is the "scum" of the earth.  Despite how the world would label and ostracize,  JC, having been there at Creation, sees these "outcasts" as Image Bearers and begins His restoration process in their life, meets their physical and emotional needs. In doing so, these people can let their wall down and more willing to accept the Radical God-Man's spiritual restoration. I lament over the times I have judged and been so afraid to create relationships and love others because I expected them to already live a holy life w/o knowing about a Holy G-d.
I just picked up Gabe Lyons' book The Next Christians: The Good News About the End of Christian America and it has been so rewarding.  Through Gabe's research and familiarity with culture I am excited to see the findings of a more biblical wave of Christians being unearthed in America.  Christian's who cannot be labeled as Seperatist: Insiders, Culture Warriors, and mere Evangelizers or Cultural: Blenders and Philanthropists but a new as Restorers.
These Next Christians have a fuller and more vivid understanding of the Gospel. The Good News which does not begin in the middle with the separation of sin but starts with a Mighty Creator G-d who creates very good, beautiful things, and forms humanity in Imago Dei. A vital and foundational step which should not be skipped lest we cause confusion and paint a less than vibrant picture. After this step can we articulate the fall in its completeness showing the need Christ redemptive work. Again we cannot stop there.  We must remember Christ's redemptive work was to restore all things to Him. These "Next Christians" see that God is not only in the business of restoring for the afterlife, but also about the here and now.  Through the Holy Spirit, the body of Christ is to be about restoration.
To be about "responding to the brokenness of culture with an eye of the Creator's intent."
I am not trying to give a book review but one last thing. Next Christians are the following:
Provoked not offended,
Creators not critics,
Called not employed,
Grounded not distracted,
In community, not alone,
Countercultural, not "relevant"

This is what I think God is teaching me. The love for others, the call to be more Christ-like, embrace a bigger picture of the Gospel, and to be about restoration in as many ways as possible.