Brentwood Tribe,
I never know how a particular message is going to hit people. Sometimes I just go out there and say to the Holy Spirit, “I’m not sure about this one, but do that thing you do.” Anyway, I guess I was blindsided by the response this Sunday. Better yet, I was inwardly floored.
Our communal application (drop your 3 x 5 baggage card in the basket) was like a campfire gone wild and then all-consuming. Honestly, I thought just a few individuals would actually take the time to pray through and scribble down their hardships and helplessness. Wrong. Not only did so many write it out, but hundreds actually got up and walked across the room to lay it down. Seriously, an entire room full of church-goers arose from their cushions and proclaimed their helplessness to Christ and their church community. That is the Gospel; that is what transforms a generation.
So this morning, I came to the office well-caffeinated and rested, but haplessly naive. The plan was simple: Read through and pray for some of the 3 x 5’s from yesterday. Should be easy, I thought. Wrong again. Ink and lead sentences walked me down paths of dread and fathomless pain. These confessions and laments became so dark I had to catch my breath and wonder if I should continue on–alcoholism, leukemia, loveless marriages, failed relationships, mental breakdowns, entrenched addictions, suicidal impulses, parental wounds and rejection, etc. And deeper and darker the words got etched. For a moment, I imagined this must be a crude glimpse into how God watches over us. He sees much more than we do, and certainly none of it can be scribed on an index card. And yet, my heart wrenched the way I thought His might every moment we struggle with the sin and pain of this broken world. No wonder He had to send Jesus.
Now, I realize that our church has a mission more torrential than my frail mind can possibly think up on its own. Here it is: We are in this town, and planted on this globe for a brilliant historical moment. That statement is not rhetoric, but reality. We are to be forgiven and healed by Christ’s Gospel and then empowered by the Spirit to exhale that Gospel into every moment we’re given.
Keep on keeping it real, Brentwood. God’s Spirit is about to rock our world.
Onward,
Jon
Billy Barron
2nd Nov, 09
WOW! I will remember this as I minister in my own church: “Now, I realize that our church has a mission more torrential than my frail mind can possibly think up on its own. Here it is: We are in this town, and planted on this globe for a brilliant historical moment. That statement is not rhetoric, but reality. We are to be forgiven and healed by Christ’s Gospel and then empowered by the Spirit to exhale that Gospel into every moment we’re given.” My wife and I used to be apart of Brentwood…thank you for all you do.
atChristy
2nd Nov, 09
So sorry I missed it! Can’t wait to hear it online.
atAmanda Gunter
2nd Nov, 09
Jon,
This has to be one of the biggest things I battle. I hate to know and worse yet feel like I am helpless or that in reality I am really not the one in control. It’s exhausting trying to maintain an illusion of control of life. When everything is falling around me I still don’t want it to show and while dealing with it all that I work even harder to put the show of control on for others. I have to sit down and take the words “me” and “why” out of the sentence or question everyday to start with because if not that “why” and “me” will lead to a [ast mistake or hardship and define the rest of my day. I know the answer to science math problem big or small history music but I dont know reality and I don’t know life and struggle with because I fall short. There is no dean list or way to measure up. There ia one way up and one way down, and I fall down a lot.Over the past 6 months when Im on flat bottom or the “why” and need to understand is greater than the moving past WWJS comes to mind. What would Jon say or has said. Back to the notes, back to the drawing board, back on my knees surrendering all over and begging almost to help me let go again. Old patterns seem to fall right back into place. Jon, I am really not sure where I am going with all this my life is just so scrambled but your words and teaching hit home this week and I will use it as a morning read everyday before I get going as a constant reminder. I thank you so much!
Amanda Gunter
atMichelle White
2nd Nov, 09
All of my life I have been defined by others perceptions of me. I have struggled to find peace with all of the misdirected labels. Fears of rejection, incompetence, being singled out haunt me on a minute by minute basis. Everytime you remind us to fall on our faces and surrendered it is like the a “well duh” moment, but how quickly I forget.
atSunday I was with the sermon and writing my notes, then I got distracted and lost in space. Then the Holy Spirit slapped me and said “Pay attention, this is important” So I rubbed the eye goo from my eyes and hankered in to listen to what was “so important”. Then it hit me -SMACK- Why do I allow myself carry this junk? All these barriers I place between other and myself that self sabbatoge….THAT IS NOT MY NAME. My name is a child of GOD and all the rest is junk!