heart

Last night as I was talking and praying with my 5-year-old daughter Evelyn, she asked me about something to which I answered "When you're all grown up." Then she asked when that would be, so I told her she'd go off to college in about 13 years. Her next question grabbed my attention, "Will you be alive then, Daddy?" I at first said, "Of course, I'll only be 53!" But then it sunk in that I couldn't make that promise at all. Not only could I die of accidental causes, but I might fulfill my hereditary destiny of dying of heart disease by then. It would only require that fall in line two years earlier than my Dad had his gratefully non-fatal heart attack.

There may be folks who try to keep up the appearance of being all together, but I'll come right out and say it: I am prone to wander far from whatever goodness I know. That is the very reason I thank God for his patience with me and for sending the Counselor to lead me (John 14:16-17,John 16:7). Peter Nelson hits this point on the head in Impractical Christianity.

Jewish human-rights activist Michael Horowitz praises — and pointedly counsels — evangelicals in How to Win Friends and Influence Culture. From among the abundance of "trees"-oriented talk aimed at Christians nowadays, it is refreshing to read such a "forest" view of their influence in the world. His view resonates with my observation that despite the many prominent examples of evil actions by those who claim the name of Christ, the quiet current of Christian influence over time has served the rest of humanity well.

Neil Cole provides a brief summary of his vision for Christians associating and collaborating in simple and effective ways he calls Organic Church in this Leadership Network interview. He is a key influence in the house-church direction I and my family have chosen.

Jason Evans posts this insightful as.it.is: Interview w/ Jim Henderson who reflects on the challenges faced by young Christian leaders, plus some other stuff. Here's an excerpt:

Young people intuitively know that using people to "fulfill their vision" is bogus and bankrupt but aren't sure what to do in its place. They feel caught in a double bind and think that the only way out is to drop out or sell out. I have a suggestion: Drop the money and the titles (if need be) and go lead anyway.

It looks like one of the key points of stress between the conventional church and the house/simple/organic church movement will center on a disagreement over what the goal and trajectory of the Christian church really is. This disagreement is rooted in diverging views of what Scripture tells us about God, ourselves, and God's purpose.

On the one hand, we have people who say they would really like others to respond to God but live as though they are convinced no more than a few actually will. On the other hand we have people who believe an ever-increasing number of people will respond to the call of God. East San Diego County pastor Mark Hoffman, in his book On Earth as it is in heaven presents from Scripture his view that Jesus' chief mission was to establish the Kingdom of God on earth. It was the center of His teaching and activity. He believes the Kingdom is for now, not later, and that it comes through Christians, not governmental power.