Following Jesus requires Risk

When is the last time you took a God sized risk? When is the last time that you stepped out of your comfort zone and really exercised faith?  Can you remember when you most recently put your pride on the line and exposed yourself to potential embarrassment in pursuit of Jesus?

These are important questions for every one of us that claims Christ. Because it’s all too easy to become a Christian theorist or biblical philosopher (especially Pastors!), a person who speaks the right things, and believes the right way, but never acts on what the say and supposedly believe.

Yesterday I decided to strike a blow at the Christian philosophy and Biblical theorism that resides in my own heart. You see, I am attending a Leadership Conference that is geared to Evangelism, Healing, Miracles, Signs and Wonders.

The whole thrust of the gathering is to inspire the followers of Jesus to do the “greater works” (John 14:12) that Jesus said was available to us. After a particulary rousing afternoon session, my wife Tiffany and I went to get something to eat.

We couldn’t agree on where to go, so we decided to go the ‘multiple option’ route (You get what you want, and then we will go and get what I want).

While sitting at ‘In-and-Out Burger’ (her choice), I saw an older woman breathing from an oxygen tank and sitting in a wheelchair. As soon as I laid eyes on her, the thought “Go pray for her!” popped in my head.

I averted my eyes so I could ignore the sweet little old lady, and dismiss the idea.

“Go pray for her!”

I began to study the soda machines and the colorful uniforms of the ‘In-and-Out’ employees.

“Go pray for her!”

I couldn’t get these words out of my head.

I really wanted to pray for her, but when I looked around the restaurant the place was crowded. If I prayed for her other people could notice. They might laugh at me.  Besides, she was sitting with a man that didn’t appear very friendly. He might be offended by my prayers. What if she was scared of African Americans? What if she HATED black people?

Thoughts and ideas like these (and others!) pounded my skull.

“Go pray for her!”

I couldn’t escape the urgent command. I turned to my wife and said, “I’m going to go pray for that woman.”

So with butterflies in my stomach and heart beating out of my chest, I walked over to the table. I nodded to the stern looking gentleman across from the lady, smiled and turned to her.

“Excuse me. My name is Julian Newman. This might sound strange, but I believe in a God that listens and answers prayer. And I couldn’t help but wonder if I could come and pray for you that Jesus Christ would touch your body today.”

Beads of sweat covered my face as I waited for her response.

“Yes. Oh yes. That would be wonderful. Jesus touched me years and years ago. I gave my life to Him. “, the aged mother smiled, eyes twinkling behind grey spectacles.

I knelt down next to the wheelchair and prayed a sincere but incredibly shaky and  extremely nervous prayer. I declared the goodness of God and the authority of the scriptures over her physical form to heal.

Then I waited.

I wished I could tell you that she threw her oxygen tank down and bounded from the wheelchair.

She didn’t.

I wish I could tell you I had the faith to pray again when she didn’t, and call her to stand like Jesus did often in the bible.

I didn’t.

I wish I could tell you that such a powerful miracle occurred that everyone in the burger joint tossed their meat patties aside and gave their hearts to Jesus.

They didn’t.

All that happened after I prayed was a simple conversation (her name was Margo from about 10 miles up the road), an exchange of smiles, and an introduction to her son John (who wasn’t mean at all!).

I wish I had more news to share.

Yes, I was disappointed. Some might say that I failed, that I wasted my time and the energy of this sweet woman.

But I would disagree. Because at the very least, I attempted to share the love of Jesus they very best I could. I tried to treat her with the love, respect, and dignity that Jesus would. I think Margo and John felt that. I honestly do.

Their gracious grins and shining eyes said that they did.

No I can’t say that a notable miracle occurred yesterday evening.

But what I can say, that no miracles will ever occur if we remain in the box of Christian theory, token philosophy, and imaginary faith.

Yes it’s scary, nerve wracking, and nausea inducing. But faith, true faith isn’t relying on our strength and perspective.

True faith is relying on His.

The time has come for the followers of Jesus to stop quoting scriptures and start living them.

The world is dying for us to show them that Jesus is real.

Let’s show more and tell less.

(P.S. I’m going to keep praying for ‘Lil Old Ladies in Wheelchairs. One day, I’m going to see Jesus raise them up. Who knows? Maybe that day is today!  )

Question: What Dream do you have that’s either dormant or dead, that you wish could be brought back to life?

In this video, Pastor Tiffany talks about:

1.  Keeping Vision in front of you.
2.  The power of perseverance in the midst of challenge.
3.  Understanding that abundance can come out of barrenness.
4.  Contentment of heart before actually receiving the tangible thing.

“They spoke only to Jews.” (Acts 11:19)

“On Earth as it is in Heaven” (Matt. 6:10)

One of the most popular shows on television today is the singing competition called ‘The Voice”.  In the  ‘Blind Auditions’, contestants sing to the judge’s backs, hoping that the power of their voice will cause one of the four music moguls to turn and become a mentor.

Similarly, there are certain sounds that cause people to turn, react, and respond.

Rodney King. O.J. Simpson. Trayvon Martin.

Each name when spoken evokes powerful emotions and agonizing memories of the events tied to each. Because we live in a nation with an old ache that sits under the surface, these names drag the ugly disease of racism and prejudice out in the open.

Every few years it seems that we are right back where we started.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

In this barren wilderness of hatred, misunderstanding, and pain, the stage has been set for the church’s prophetic voice to call out. To speak grace, peace, healing, and forgiveness.

Sadly, the church isn’t ready.

Like Dr. King said in 1968, ““we must face the sad fact that at 11:00 am on Sunday morning when we stand to sing ‘In Christ there is no East or West,’ we stand in the most segregated hour of America”

In the 528 months since the Pastor and Civil Rights leader made this statement, how much has really changed?

Not much.

Kevin Dougherty, a leading sociologist at Baylor University found that 15 percent of U.S. congregations today are multiracial, meaning that no single group represents over 80 percent of participants.

This means, he said, that still more than 8 out of 10 U.S. congregations are largely homogeneous in terms of race and ethnicity. “In the most intimate levels of life (faith, friends, family), we remain a nation divided by race,” he said.

As frustrating as these statistics are, this problem isn’t confined to American Christians or to our epoch of human history. Racism is recorded early and often in the scriptures.

In Acts Chapter 11, after experiencing visions, miracles, as well as Jesus’ clear command to be a church of all nations, a large segment of Christians remained staunch segregationists.

In the desire to remain ethically exclusive, these preachers missed God, and defied their mandate.

Conversely, those that went to all people and shared the message of Jesus, experienced the hand of God and a ‘great number of people believed and turned to the Lord (Acts. 11: 21 NIV)’

The 2^nd group received Divine blessing and favor, while the 1^st group received nothing. Though they went in the Name of Jesus, the power of Jesus wasn’t with them.

What’s worse, they didn’t even notice. Could the same be said of us in present day American Church? Have we become so accustomed to ethnic exclusivity and subtle prejudice in the Name of Jesus, that we don’t even realize it when it is happening?

And even better question is, ‘How can we change it?’

• Realize it not just ‘Them’, it’s Us:  When is the last time someone admitted to you that they were a racist? The biggest misnomer is that everyone else has a problem. But the truth is, every one of us has hidden prejudices that have manifested at one time or another. The faster that we understand and admit our reality, the faster Jesus can transform us.

• Expand our Circle: Though we have greater reach than ever before through technology, this isn’t always reflected in our day-to-day relationships.  As humans, we have a tendency to spend the most time with the people most like us (or perceive to be like us).  But when we step out of our comfort zone of friendships; we soon find that though different (visually, stylistically, culturally, politically) people are just people.

• Listen More, Speak Less: Anybody can be an expert on anything nowadays. We just need a blog and an Internet connection.  But what if we looked to hear twice as much as we spoke (or typed)?  What if we listened to someone’s true perspective without interrupting? We just might discover that we don’t know quite as much as we think. When we take a posture of humility, God’s grace is added to us.

• Pray for Change:  This is a spiritual struggle and we need God’s power to overcome. As the Apostle Paul writes, ‘We wrestle not against ‘flesh and blood’ (Eph. 6:12). This is much bigger than any one of us. We can’t make it different by simply amassing human strength, or wishing it away. We need Jesus to help us. When we pray, we bring Divine might to the scene and can hope for transformative change.

The church is destined to be a movement that shakes a generation with the energy of our Christ-Centered community.  A present-day church where the sin of racism and segregation will no longer be allowed to trump the power of Jesus’ love.

Because one day in eternity there will be Neo-Nazis and black supremists, Jews and Arabs, Terrorists and the Terrorized that will raise their voices in worship Jesus with hands that are clasped and hearts that are broken.

May we give ourselves and our voices to the realization of this vision on present-day earth, as it will one day be in heaven.

Marla Olmstead, Child Artist

Wasn’t ‘Show and Tell’ the best?

Stepping to the front of the class with butterflies in your stomach, eager to tell your favorite story or to show your favorite toy to with your friends.

Students would sit in conflicted attention, wanting to listen but longing for their turn. If you were ask every kid in the classroom, each one would have something amazing to share.

Without being formally trained, these children somehow understood the power of giving and receiving stories.

But as time passes, we grow in stature but shrink in hope.

Instead of the bold communication of world changing ideas, we keep our thoughts to ourselves.

We’ve become too scared to show, too embarrassed to tell.

The daily drone of reality mixed with life’s disappointments, grind at the sharp edges of our imagination and lobotomize our dreams.

But what if things could be different? What if we could change? What if we could rediscover the joy that comes with a hearty belly laugh or the intrigue of going on a top secret adventure?

What if we could go to the front of the room and play ‘Show and Tell’ again?

Take a moment today (or tomorrow!) and tell a story. Share a dream. Ask about the stories and dreams of others. Be excited with what you hear and enthused with what what you tell.

‘Show and Tell’ doesn’t have to be something that we did. It should be something that we always do.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” -Matt. 19:14

Hey! Today was Off the Hook!

In this Video I talk about:

• The Incredible Baptism Service this Sunday

• Vision Sunday on May 6th

• The Power of Phase II

Question: Did you know that EVERY person will stand before God and have their life evaluated? Are you ready? 

In this video, Pastor Julian talks about:

• The difference between God’s ‘Bucket List’ and ours.
• What the bible says about the living a life that matters.
• The second chance God gives us by grace.
• How to get back on track when you are lost.

“..I was tired of saying I’ll go receive prayer another time. I needed it today and everyday.” -Story of a Woman who went up for Prayer for 1st time Sunday.