The Maestro's Opus

Core Growth

2009-04-29T13:08:00.002-05:00

What are some things we did in core that worked really well or had a positive impact? (Anything related to core: leader meeting, one-on-ones, core partners.)
What are some things that we should revamp/rework for next year?
What are some things that didn't work? How can those be fixed?
What's one thing that you wished we did differently? Why?

Time

2009-04-03T14:28:00.006-05:00

So this is my birthday wisdom, by the way. It has a theme of time, so I thought that was a good title.

Becoming Holy
I always knew that becoming holy was a life long venture. There's always some attitude, sin, ambition that needs to be removed or reworked for God. After I'd finally convince myself that now is the time to correct a certain aspect, it would usually go away or improve quite a bit. For example, I wanted to remove the default attitude and action of complaining. For two or so weeks, I'd be successful. I'd stay joyful and content, trying to find the good in everything, or at least not complaining about the bad. But then after a while I'd catch myself complaining. Perhaps while talking to someone at FOCUS or core, even more often at work (being in a world that loves to complain). This would usually get me down, to some degree it should, but I started thinking, "Is this never going to go away?"

After ready Every Man's Battle I started to learn that, although God wants us to remove sin and become closer to Him, that it's not going to be an overnight change. That it takes about six weeks to break a habit and to replace it with a new one. It's not instant, but it's not really all that long either.

Dating
Growing up in middle school and high school, if I was single and liked a girl, we'd be dating within the next month. It was probably due to being the coolest, most charming guy ever to grace Cedar Park. (That last sentence should be read oozing with sarcasm.) Once I got to college, that all disappeared. My pursuit to find a girlfriend quickly overran my pursuit to grow close to God. The fellowship dating talks (and various other things) reminded me that I'm just 22 (and 8752/8760ths). That I have a long time before I really should want to get married, and that for right now, fellowship dating is all that I need.

Two main differences between fellowship dating and the way that I used to date: physical contact, and conversational conjoining. (That's a great term right there.) Both of which would be best if saved for my spouse. I don't need to be married by 25. I need to grow closer to God and if I meet a girl along the way that's fine, if I don't, according to Paul, that's even better.

Serving
I wait for somebody to plan a service project, then if it fits my schedule, and I don't mind doing it all that much, I go. God doesn't really want us to be sitting down all the time. We are told to do what's best, not just what's good. But I end up valuing my comfort over somebody else's needs. Not only should I jump at opportunities to serve (and do so with a joyful heart), but I should be initiating my own service projects.

These service projects don't need to be five hour trips to a homeless shelter every time, although sometimes that is what's called for. Helping out somebody locally is an often overlooked aspect of serving. But the key is just to serve somewhere. Stop waiting and go!

Evangelizing
Self-comfort is Satan's greatest tool. We are told to go out and make disciples and to teach them to obey everything that Jesus commanded. The teaching them to obey part might take a while, even the making disciples part might take some time, but there is one part that I can do right now: go. When I'm at work, how often do I walk around to people's offices to start up a purposeful conversation? Maybe once or twice a week to the same person. There's even a guy (I don't know his beliefs or reasons) that does that, but I never return the favor. For all you school kids, how often do you go on campus to meet people and actually do it? I know that while in school I went on campus to meet people several times, but only thrice did I actually do it.

We often pray for opportunities to meet people and reach out to them, or if we're a little bit wiser we might pray that we see the opportunities that God has already given us. But I think we see a lot of those opportunities and we choose not to take advantage of them for the sake of our self-comfort. We question, "what will they think of me?", "will they think I'm just another religious person pushing my beliefs on to them?", or any number of other self-doubting excuses. What we have should be overflowing our cup, that we can't help but tell everybody about it.

Camping

2009-03-12T01:53:00.000-05:00

I’m going camping today. I’m not really ready, but I’m going. My mental list of what I want to bring including 4 things: guitar, Bible, pen, notebook. Now I know I’m supposed to bring a tent and clothes and food and all that other stuff. But that’s not why I’m going.

There’s definitely some sense of escapism in camping-the want to just get away from it all and have nothing to do. I hope to leave Dallas around 10am, but secretly know that it’ll probably be more like 1pm. That would give me twenty hours of light and twelve hours of dark before anyone else comes. That’s a lot of time to do nothing by yourself. I might be miserable before anyone else shows up, but I don’t think I will.

See, I’m going with a guitar. It’ll probably be severely out of tune in the cold. I want to write a song. Actually, I have 3 or 4 floating around in my head right now. But right now, they are too vague. I don’t know what they say, what they’re about, and of course, how they sound. It doesn’t sound like much is in my head... I want to sit down with the guitar and not play Zeppelin, Hendrix, or Clapton. I want to play for God and I want to write it down.

I want to make some decisions during those thirty two hours what God’s called me to and what that looks like. I know I won’t have tons of answers. I don’t necessarily think that by just sitting down and thinking that I could figure anything out. But I think with prayer it’s possible. I might get something. It’s that little kernel of hope that got me excited about going camping this time. In one sense, this is going to be one big quiet time. Something I’ve never been good at doing. Maybe God will speak through or to me. In prayer, I often ask a lot of things from God. Maybe this will be an opportunity for Him to talk and me to listen.

The Point of Core

2009-02-25T17:01:00.003-06:00

What is the point of core? Is it to have a Bible study? Is it to be used for outreach? Is it supposed to be a “home base”, a place to recharge? Is it to raise questions about the nature of God and how He works?

We based core this year around the idea of bringing people together to push their minds and get them to critically think about God and what He wants us to do. We’ve done the Bible study more than anything else, especially with our 9-week reading of Luke. And I think we have somewhat of a home base/recharging feel to core.

I wonder if by covering a bunch of topics lightly, like we do when we read through Luke or cover a new topic each week, we short change each topic not giving it the full weight it deserves and more importantly implicitly say that they don’t deserve more discussion. Obviously we can’t cover every topic in-depth, nor should we. I don’t think it’s very beneficial to discuss at length the signs at the end of the age or what happened at the transfiguration.

Last semester we gave core challenges to try to give opportunities to implement some of the principles we learned about discipleship. But how much focus was on completing the core challenges? How much does there need to be? Obviously we aren’t going for completion just to have number or to even show obedience to the core. Instead, the challenges in essence show willingness to be obedient and make an effort to get closer to God.

What would it look like if we talked about evangelism, for example, then for the rest of the month spent each core (not necessarily Wednesday nights) actually doing evangelism? Or if we talked about servanthood, then we’d spend several weeks serving various people (the girl’s core, campus, NTFB, etc.). Emphasizing that we need to actually DO what we talk about?

Jesus Sends Out the Seventy Two

Later the Master selected seventy and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. He gave them this charge:
"What a huge harvest! And how few the harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands. On your way! But be careful—this is hazardous work. You're like lambs in a wolf pack. "Travel light. Comb and toothbrush and no extra luggage. Don't loiter and make small talk with everyone you meet along the way.
"When you enter a home, greet the family, 'Peace.' If your greeting is received, then it's a good place to stay. But if it's not received, take it back and get out. Don't impose yourself.
"Stay at one home, taking your meals there, for a worker deserves three square meals. Don't move from house to house, looking for the best cook in town. When you enter a town and are received, eat what they set before you, heal anyone who is sick, and tell them, 'God's kingdom is right on your doorstep!'
"When you enter a town and are not received, go out in the street and say, 'The only thing we got from you is the dirt on our feet, and we're giving it back. Did you have any idea that God's kingdom was right on your doorstep?'"

What would it look like for our core to adapt this for our campus and do it? Should we have focused on outreach more? If so what would that look like? Do we just feel comfortable resorting to a Bible study?

A Sky Diver's Faith

2008-02-22T03:12:00.008-06:00

This week in core we read Matthew 13-16. It starts out tell a lot of parables about the kingdom of heaven. Most of which I think I understand, but I probably haven't begun to understand the full meaning. The next few chapters tell many stories about faith and the heart.

We talked in core about each of the faith stories; the first being where Jesus and for a time, Peter, walk on water. (The Message and NIV)

Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared out of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror.

But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid."

Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water."

He said, "Come ahead."

Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, "Master, save me!"

Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

One question stood out to me: "why did you doubt?"

I think Peter lacked faith not in Jesus' ability to walk on water, but instead in his own ability to walk on water. Deeper than that, it showed a lack of faith that Jesus/God would give him the ability to do it. We saw this same lack of faith at first when Moses was called, until finally God consented to let Aaron go with him. Today, we sometimes show this same lack of faith in ourselves. When God calls us into action we make excuses like Moses did and try to wiggle our way out of it. Instead, we need follow Moses' latter example and actually go, do what God sent him to do. What are some ways y'all decide to stop making excuses and listen to God? How have those turned out for you in the past?

Later on in Matthew, we read about the Pharisee's demand for a sign. (The Message and NIV)

The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven, pressing him to prove himself to them. He told them, "You have a saying that goes, 'Red sky at night, sailor's delight; red sky at morning, sailors take warning.' You find it easy enough to forecast the weather—why can't you read the signs of the times? An evil and wanton generation is always wanting signs and wonders. The only sign you'll get is the Jonah sign." Then he turned on his heel and walked away.

It says they came to test him by asking him to show them a sign. My first thoughts are, "how is this testing him?" Our core talked about similar this was to the temptation in the desert. Satan asked Jesus to display his powers. Turning stones to bread. Jumping off the temple so angels would catch him. In the same way, the Pharisees asked for a simple sign. Why? Surely they didn't know about the temptation in the desert, nor did they think they were actually tempting God. I think they wanted a way out of needing faith. Had Jesus taken their offer and showed them a sign, perhaps they would have believed in him. What would it require on their part? Faith? No, if they saw him do something that only God could do, then no faith would be needed. Just as we don't require much faith in gravity, we just know that it works.

Major Tangent
This reminds me of a section in The Jesus I Never Knew. When Jesus raised himself from the grave- (I've never put it like that before.) When Jesus raised himself from the grave and showed himself to those who knew he was dead, he removed the need for faith. He was physically there, they could touch him, put their fingers in the holes in his hands. Those that were eyewitnesses of him, needed only to remember the fact that he was once dead, but alive again. History tells us that these eyewitnesses, these apostles, did amazing things. They brought down the Roman empire, they turned the world upside down.

This also leads me to ask, "why did he leave? why not just stay around and show himself to everyone, then we can all be eyewitnesses and do amazing things?"

God did miraculous things in Egypt when He "convinced" Pharoah to let the Israelites go. He instituted the Passover, so that they would remember, much in the same way communion reminds us about what Jesus did for us, leading to our own exodus. The result? Most of the Israelites forgot. Eventually the grew up the nations of Assyria and Babylon to destroy Israel. So, at least with Israel, this method didn't worked (Leaving out the whole return-from-the-exile thing).

Wouldn't have been easier if Jesus had been with us for the past 2000 years, here on earth as the physical king of his physical kingdom? It'd be a great place. Imagine our schooling system, our government, our economy. He'd make even Solomon look foolish.

I have my ideas why he left, but I'd like to hear what y'all think.

Back on Topic
So, the Pharisees wanted proof that Jesus was God. Why didn't he give it to them? Why did he instead require faith? I think faith shows our willingness to admit that we don't know everything, and that God has a plan. It's hard to half-butt faith. If you don't have faith, you know it.

Standing on the edge of an airplane ready to jump, you know whether or not you believe that the parachute will work. If you don't have faith, you won't jump. You might fool others around you, that you are thinking about it, or that you'll jump after they do. But you know. Our faith in God
needs to be enough to jump. Not just jump once. Our goal should be to jump at every chance we get, without hesitation. Thats kind of faith that God loves. The kind that He jumps up and points at and exclaims, "That's what I'm talking about!"

When God tells us, "Hey, I need you to do something for me. Get up, I'll explain along the way," He wants us to have faith and jump.

Sweet Team Awesome, Part Two: The n00bs

2008-02-06T02:19:00.000-06:00

Matt Evans
Matt is a new face at core, but he already is an integral part. He came with a hungry heart searching for God. He adds multiple times to every discussion. He just started a study with Aaron and eagerly volunteers bringing snacks or helping out somewhere in the production of core. My prayer for him is to engage with some of the core guys outside of core. He's a great addition to our ministry, and I'd love for him and others to cement that relationship.

Corey Scroggins
Corey came from Matt and Steven's core. My first real time spent with him was when he volunteered to help buy food and bring it to our winter retreat. The whole weekend he was totally in servant mode. I haven't seen him around much before this semester, but he's been a regular sight since. My prayer for him is to go to God to find out where and in what role He wants him to take charge, lead, and serve.

Wesley Sucher
Wesley also came from Matt and Steven's core. It's never a question to him on whether or not to go to core or SNF. (Just a note: besides SNF there are CCT, SIEOL, BT, WT, FSE esq., STA, CLM, FIM, LTG, NEC, FLR, FFR, FWR, SOM, 1N1.) My prayer for him is to take a leading role in creating spiritual conversation in his apartment.

Alex Peake
Alex is a new transfer from Chris and Ricky's core. This guy is Russian, and he's very proud of it. He contributes to almost every discussion, which is very refreshing. My prayer for him is to take the next step in his faith, to take what he's learned and do it. I look for to seeing what he's capable of in reaching out, service, personal growth.

Cale Sherry
Cale came to core once this semester, and unfortunately I don't a whole lot about him. I believe that Josh is going to start a study with him. It'd be great to have him back. My prayer for him is to follow where God is leading him, whether that's to core or some other body of believers.

Cliff McKinley
James brought Cliff to core a couple weeks ago. I don't know much about him either, but it's great to see him the times that he's come. I couldn't find a picture of him, so I'm considering this post under construction until I can get one. My prayer for him is to ask God what the next step in his ministry is and follow through with it.

Sweet Team Awesome, Part One: The Future

2008-01-08T18:10:00.000-06:00

Here's some of the guys in my core. They are a pretty cool bunch.

Ketcher Cline
I am uber excited about this guy! He shows a love for the Word and for learning. I'm studying Discovering Jesus with him right now and we are getting a ton out of it. It's obvious his parents raised him in the Lord and how much his family means to him. He always tells me about how he's discussed our Core and DJ topics with his dad. I definately look forward to seeing what he can do in the future. My prayer for him is to start to make this ministy his own, to reach out where he might not be comfortable, he has amazing potential and I'd love for him to push himself to the fullest degree.

Chris Smith
Another Chris and another Smith in FOCUS, we might need a name change. Chris is really a great guy and very dependable. There is never any doubt to whether he will be at core. I still owe him a round of golf. He engages in the group and is already asking some of his friends, new to UTD, to come to SNF and core. He was active in his church and still attends it weekly. My prayer for him is to continue to grow and learn in his study with Josh and to contribute to every core meeting.

James Sherry
James has been studying with Aaron and is not afraid to speak his mind. His notes on Facebook show that he is carefully thinking the topic of each core and each lesson, and they are truly thought provoking. He interacts with our core guys and with other guys in the ministry. My prayer for him is to finish out his study with Aaron, to engage in core every week and to prepare for his role in the ministry next year.

Nicolas Pscion
Nic has been a consistent sign in core for the past few months. He participates in most discussions. Unforunately, I don't know a great deal about him or his story. I don't think he's been in a study (I need to get on that...) My prayer for him is to connect more with our core guys and to identify what he needs to continue to grow in Christ, be that a one-on-one study or something else.

Chris Wedge
Wedge has come to core consistently for the last 4 or so months. Although he not greatly plugged into our ministry, he's not afraid to speak up in core. He is guy that you'd miss if he didn't show up. Lucky for us, he hasn't. My prayer for him is to grow a more adult faith, not based on his parent's relationship with God, but his own.

Alex Cunningham
Our recent graduate, Alex, was in the first version of Sweet Team Awesome. He never hesitates to bring snacks to help serve our core. He was sick towards the end of the semester, and we missed him. My prayer for him is to do what God needs him to do, and to push aside any temporary fun that gets in the way of pleasing and following Him.

Luke Johnson
Luke, our beloved bassist. Ask him to play or serve somewhere and without hesitation he simply replies, "sure, I can do that." When he speaks, he's passionate about God and serving Him. He recently brought a guy to SNF and he was so proud to show off his family, FOCUS. My prayer for him is to speak more, to share his insight with the younger guys, and to connect himself on a more one-on-one level with our core guys.

Clint Johnson
Clint had a rough year his freshman year, so he took a year off and has come back with full force. He contributes to every core, plays in our band, and calls up guys during the week to hang out (something I wish everyone did). We are studying Discovering Jesus and we both love it. He comes to DJ, core, and SNF ready and expecting to learn. He's looking forward to serving the ministry next year and frequently asks what he needs to do to be on the leader team. My prayer for him is to fully recognize his priorities and act on them, and to continue to grow and mature in full service of our Lord.

The Glorification of Spontaneity

2007-12-05T00:36:00.000-06:00

I think it's interesting how much we like spontaneity. Sure, some think it is more loving if our love whisks us away for an unplanned evening of fun and excitement. This might derive from not knowing what will happen next, adding the extra benefit of surprise. Contrary to these thoughts, we are told that a man that gives his wife flowers every week displays more love than the man that gives his wife flowers at spontaneous times. Looking at this example, we say that the weekly man is just executing his schedule, that no real thought went into the flower giving. But, what is the man thinking about every time he travels to the store, picks out which flowers to purchase, makes sure he has enough money set aside to buy the flowers, takes the flowers home, and finally delivers the flowers, other than his wife that he loves?

What does this have to do with ministry? We reminisce on times where "randomly" we would receive a call praise by the pool, a baptism, or a game night that was happening in mere minutes. We'd drop everything and rush to the event and have a great time. What is it about these events that we really like? For some, it is praising God out in public, or baptizing someone new into the body, or playing a close game of spades and these are all great things. I think something enjoyed more often and by more people is just being with other people.

Every event that FOCUS does, the key action taking place is fellowship, talking with other people. Look at Sunday Night Focus, people talk before, sometimes during, and after the actual event of SNF. So much so that we added another event after FOCUS (called the After FOCUS Event, a great name), to spend more time with other people. SNF is now essentially an event from 6:30pm-1:00am (depending on homework). My core group officially meets from 7:30-9:00, but I know that people will show up by 7:00 and most won't leave until I kick them out at 1:00 in the morning.

I think communion time outside of SNF creates another venue for fellowship to occur. This would be directed conversation about remembering Christ. I would love to see it last "officially" for 30 minutes, knowing that it would really last an hour. It frees non-Christian visitors from the awkward ritual of communion, something the early Christians thought they shouldn't partake in. It frees us from worrying what visitors are thinking during it (not that bad of a thing, at times). It provides a weekly place for Christians to follow Jesus' command. Something that wasn't delegated to weekly until several hundred years after Jesus, but for logistical reasons makes logical sense for both then and now.

This isn't a complete thought, but it's part of one. I reserve the right to add more to it later.