Baptist Roots

I have been raised my entire life in a Southern Baptist church. If someone asked me what happens on a Sunday or Wednesday, I could almost show immediately from muscle memory. If asked about the Baptist doctrine, before this week- I would have given extremely vague answer. I may have responded with something like,"we believe that Jesus is Lord...and you need to be baptized to become a member.."
It was honestly humiliated sitting in class at a baptist university, not able to scratch the surface of our doctrine. As we were exploring the history of the Baptist Church, I found two things that majorly reshaped my understanding of Baptist doctrine; and have strangely created a new excitement for the Baptist faith.

1. The Baptist Church was birthed through a desire for religious freedom.

In the 1600's when the Roman Catholic Church was persecuting those who did not agree with their doctrine- John Smyth and Thomas Helwys said 'wait...we have read the bible. We should be free to practice our beliefs as we understand them.' They were a huge part of the fight for religious freedom and even wrote the first letter to argue for religious freedom. It's important to know today that our Baptist faith is deeply rooted in a personal understanding of God's word-rather than just merely believing and practicing the ways of other believers. It is so important that the church today still urges the importance of a personal understanding of God's word-through individual study.

2. Baptist are mission minded

In the early 1700's the First National Baptist Convention was formed soley to help with international missions. Johann Gerhard Oncken, a leader of convention- said that, "every Baptist is a missionary."  Our Baptist roots are also strongly founded on the mission of God- to the ends of the earth. It is important to claim the same passion that early Baptist had towards taking the good news to all people.

Monastic Movement

In Orthodox and Catholic paradigms, monks played a key role in mission for more than a thousand years. Why is this so, and how can we apply some of the same principles in our own context today?

The monastic movement was in the missional mindset of rather long term missions. Monks would move into cities/communities seeking to live amongst the natives: aiding in land development, building homes, and eventually monasteries that would be a source of educational development and other academics. Monks lived to see growth in communities, they reached out to the poor and broken with Christ compelled hearts seeking redemption and restoration. Today, we have much to learn about long term missions that take years to develop entire cities. We are such a consumer/immediate self satisfaction oriented culture that our ministries only last until they start to go downhill- then we bail and move on to the next popular movement or church plant.

God, give us patience- and remind us that missions belong to you.

Prayer

"Prayer is friendship with God. Friendship is not formal, but it is not formless: it has its cultivation, its behavior, its obligations, even its disciplines; and the casual mind kills it."

-George A. Buttrick 

My current prayer life is not so much formal- I wouldn't even begin to describe it as formal. But is form has not yet been matured. It has no schedule or disciplines for that matter. I would like my prayers to almost become more formal- that I develop a consistent schedule in which I pray specifically for different people in my life, organizations, and future oriented visions. I talked to one of my good friends a few weeks ago, and she has committed each day to pray specifically for things in her life. I would like to develop a scheduled prayer life- to offer up my life through prayer consistently and specifically each week, so that his response will not go unnoticed. 

Father, mold me into a man of prayer. 

Paul's Style

"Paul's mission is greatly affected by one decisive difference between ordinary grace periods and this God-given one---we, the debtors, have not been told how long the grace period will last."

-Stan Nussbaum 

Paul's urgency towards mission is strongly driven by his understanding of the grace period. He has no idea when Jesus will return, but he fully understands the good news as a result of his personal encounter with Jesus that he can only approach missions with urgency. He also knows that justice will be the result of Jesus' return, and that he is justified by grace through faith- but this good news has not yet been carried to the ends of the earth. 

I think today in the churches that I am familiar with and especially in my own life we do a great job in showing grace and being strategic in our missional efforts- but I sense this lack of urgency that Paul carried. His relationships and passion that he built with the people he came in contact with were built with urgency for kingdom growth. He not only shared the good news with them, but taught with such an urgency that it reflected his confidence. We are so casual about the way that we do life week to week, and even in our attempts to be missional- it seems to be done with timidity and discomfort. This lack of urgency in our missional efforts is dangerous because it is strongly a reflection in our confidence in the news that we are sharing. It could be helpful for local churches to be consistent in teaching classes focused on the urgency of the Gospel, but the best way for the gospel to advance is for the urgently missional pauls within the church to find timothy's and commit to doing life with them, so that they see and understand the Gospel in every aspect of life. 

God renew my understanding of grace each day, turn my self-reflected desires into an urgency for your kingdom. Multiply discipleship in my life- I commit to you a life of teaching young men to follow the Jesus that has given me life. 

"The nature of human beings is to be inactive unless influenced by some affection: love or hatred, desire, hope, fear, etc. These affections are the "spring of action," the things that set us moving in our lives, that move us to engage in the activities." 

-Johnathan Edwards

My life at ETBU has been changed because of affection. I have been loved so deeply by my savior that has become my "spring of action." The desires I have are all birthed from the things of my Heavenly Father- which, are all things. I understand that he desires to make all things new, and is in a constant state of redemption. The influence of his affection in my life has given me a passion for the things that I used to despise. For example, my GPA has seen some really bad days in my early collegiate years- and it still has its bad days. But the same love that I has been showered on me, I now have for the things of the world- I long to know more and more about all that surrounds me: process, theory, communication, history- so that I might know how to love more effectively. This semester more than ever, I am in love with my education, anxious to dig through my textbooks and to fill spirals with notes. 

Thank you, Jesus, for showing your power through my new love for education. 

"The discipline of solitude allows us gradually to come in touch with this hopeful presence of God in our lives, and allows us also to taste even now the beginnings of the joy and peace which belong to the new heaven and the new earth."

-Henri J. M. Nouwen

We were asked to arrive an hour early before a sunday service and spend that time in solitude- preparing our hearts for the service and praying over the people who would attend, the message, etc. This is a discipline that I am almost intimidated by: being that I am a character of movement and untamed brainstorms. In all honesty, I didn't quite make it an hour. But, within that time of solitude- I was able to give up of own selfish expectations within the service and more fully rejoice in presence of the Lord and was more anxious for his kingdom's growth.

I have only tasted a small bit of real solitude and would even be sure in saying that I am a baby in the context that Henri Nouwen defines it.

Father, take me by the mind-brain and have your way. May the my presence of my immediate needs and desire fade in the vision of you.

The Dark Night of the Soul

"At a certain point in the spiritual journey God will draw a person from the beginning stage to a more advanced stage. At this stage the person will begin to engage in religious exercises and grow deeper in the spiritual life. 

Such souls will likely experience what is called " the dark night of the soul."  The "dark night" is when those persons lose all the pleasure that they once experienced in their devotional life. This happens because God wants to purify them and move them on to greater heights." 

-John of the Cross

In John's writings he talks about the "the dark night" being a time when we separate our spiritual lives from these things we do that are a result of our hunger for God, that is feeding our very own souls rather than the kingdom. This has deepened my understanding of being a living sacrifice. I understand the "the dark night" to be something I'm experiencing right now. For the past few years I have been digging into the spiritual riches of a baby christian-and I continue. But right now I'm restless as I have begun to truly grasp the truth that I have been made into the image of Christ, and it is no longer I who live- but he who lives in me. When we no longer trust the concept but see it becomes the way our limbs move and mouths speak-this is the "dark night"- giving up complete control and desire for self. It is only through him that are alive at all, all other parts of me are decaying- those sinful spiritual pleasures of self. Currently the "dark night" is taking its tole on pride and luxury in my life. Peace and humility have started to show their faces more and more- These are the hard ones right now. 

God, give me strength because I have none for your kingdom. My strength is only strong enough indulge deep into the pleasures of this world. Give me your strength, so that I might not see my flesh so righteous, but only by your hand that I am able to stand. 

Father Abraham Had Many Sons

"The Creator God has a purpose, a goal, and it is nothing less than blessing the nations of humanity."

                                                 - Christopher Wright 

The Abrahamic Covenant was given as gift to Abraham and all of his descendants. God told him that, "All the nations of the earth will be blessed through you."(Gen 12:3) Even in the New Testament, we are reminded, "And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.' "(Acts 3:25) 

Ultimately, the blessing that has been given to us that shall be a blessing to all people is Christ himself. God is clear in his Covenant he makes with Abraham that this blessing is not only for the Israelites, but the blessing shall be for all people of ALL nations, and it is through his heirs that ALL shall be blessed.  

It's is clear that God's people not only are to blessed those who surround them locally, or within their own nation, but that all nations shall bless all people. Well, what does that mean for us? 

The Church at Brook Hills have found great weight in this covenant. This church in southern Alabama have established their priority to be a blessing to all-people and all nations. One of the three pillars the church is based on is called: Global Disciple-Making. Firstly, they have committed to educating their members with knowledge of un-reached people groups, poverty, and the and an understanding of the global church. Secondly, they have committed to praying, going, and giving to the nations. Within these three, there are ministries that collectively live these verbs. Teams that are committed to not only pray and give of their finances, but also planting churches and making disciples across the world. 

This is just a glimpse at what this church pours out of themselves to our brothers and sisters of all nations, they also strive to bless those within their city- outside of the suburbs they live in. I was talking with my grandparents, and they were telling me how they had visited this church. He mentioned that while they were there, 12 families had committed to sell their homes and move into inner city neighborhood so that they could live life with/ be a blessing to those who have less. 

This is God's desire for his people. 

"From every nation, tribe, language and people are gathered among the redeemed in the new creation." Revelation 7:9 

^" There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."    Galatians 3:28-29

Father, renew and remind us of our strength that is in the body of Christ, your Church. Forgive us for our vanity and give us a new zeal to be blessings to all people, of all nations. 

Chad

I was reading Chad Smith's Blog today, and in response to C.S. Lewis' writing he mentioned a desire to be a golden wheat field, rather than a beautiful grass field. He was communicating that how easy and comfortable it is to look beautiful on the outside, and never change- much like a grass field. But his desire was to be torn apart, plowed up and re-sown so that he might be transformed into the image of Christ. Chad was confessing a sin that I struggle with deep, this desire for self- over growth of the kingdom. For no one will receive the fruits of a grass field.

Jesus make in me a unsettled man- only finding rest in the field that you tend.

"In like manner, when the enemy tempts a just soul with his wiles and deceits, he wishes and desires that they be received and kept in secret. When they are revealed to a confessor or some other spiritual person who understands his deceits and evil designs, the enemy is greatly displeased for he knows that he cannot succeed in his evil design once his obvious deceits have been discovered."

                                          -Ignatius of Loyola 

Ignatius makes it clear in his writings that the enemies biggest fear is confession. When we confess the sin in our lives it gives us freedom in which God desires all to live in- this is the life to the fullest that he has promised. But for some reason, in the community that I have grown up in- and maybe even more commonly within the church, I've discovered that this is sooooo hard to do. We do everything in our power to avoid being honest about the crap in our lives, so that we might look a little bit prettier. (Im really good at that.) 

When I was 18, one of my best friends and I went out to grab a burger. We had been friends for a long time, and he was easily the person I felt most comfortable sharing anything with. Even then, I had been hiding a specific sin in my life for about 3 years, and had avoid talking about it at all cost- even if that meant pitching ridiculous lies. I had confessed this to God and asked for forgiveness, found freedom in doing so- but still I felt so shameful. That night with a heavy heart, I confessed my darkest sin to a great friend. Feeling so ashamed, I looked up and he was also crying. He then confessed his brokenness for not being a bold friend. That night I experienced complete freedom in the presence of confession. I would define freedom as not being bound by anything. This is only possible through the strength of Christ, and in him alone. 

"Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for each other, so that you may be healed." James 5:16

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:19

After discovering that freedom in confession, I have found that it is the only way to live in freedom. We are to not only confess our sins to God, but to our brothers and sisters as well. This is real community, and it is God's desire for his people. Don't get me wrong, it's still not easy to confess super dumb sins that are extremely embarrassing- but it hurts worse to hide. I am so blessed now to have brothers that I can go to at any point and confess, knowing that they will receive me well, show me grace, and commit to covering me in prayer. Not only this, but I have also discovered that it is important to have people in your life that will commit keep you in check, and will honestly and lovingly approach you about sin in your life they see, that has not been made known you. 

"We need a deeper musing upon our perennial knack for disobedience and God’s unbounded habit of mercy.  We need a richer contemplation upon that Life that shows us the way so we may follow “in his steps.”  We need a fuller meditation upon that Death that sets us free.  We need a more profound experience of that Resurrection that empowers us to obey Christ in all things."

                                                  - Richard Foster 

Three Desires- Julian of Norwich

“For the highest form of prayer is to the goodness of God. It comes down to us to meet our humblest needs. It gives life to our souls and makes them live and grow in grace and virtue. It is near in nature and swift in grace,for it is the same grace which our souls seek and always will.”  

-Julian of Norwich

Three things I desire from God.

That my faith will become my strength. I want to know God’s goodness and sovereignty in such a way that it becomes all that I trust. It’s easy to say things like, “God is good, all the time- All the time, God is good.” Is my heart proclaiming that as truth, or rather hope. My first desire is that my faith would become real, even if it is through suffering. 

Suffering: that I would not desire to please myself. I’m discovering that in the moments that we die to ourselves, it becomes extraordinarily difficult to be selfish. My second desire from God is that I would seek his goodness through suffering; in such a way that I would not separate the two. 

I do not have a third yet. While reading the prayers of Julian of Norwich- her prayers that reach a desire to know the lords goodness just a little more, even if it means tasting death. In the genuineness of my heart, I find myself hesitant to pray anything even similar. I want to commit to the first two- until a third has become real. 

Father you have inclined to me and heard my cry, give me endurance in faith, knowing that you hear my voice. 

"Worship, therefore, is the fuel and goal of missions.  It’s the goal of missions because in missions we simply aim to bring the nations into the white hot enjoyment of God’s glory.  The goal of missions is the gladness of the peoples in the greatness of God."

                            -John Piper

Shout for joy to God, all the earth!

²     Sing the glory of his name;
    make his praise glorious.
³ Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
    So great is your power
    that your enemies cringe before you.
⁴ All the earth bows down to you;
    they sing praise to you,
    they sing the praises of your name.”^[a]

⁵ Come and see what God has done,
    his awesome deeds for mankind!
⁶ He turned the sea into dry land,
    they passed through the waters on foot—
    come, let us rejoice in him.
⁷ He rules forever by his power,
    his eyes watch the nations—
    let not the rebellious rise up against him.

⁸ Praise our God, all peoples,
    let the sound of his praise be heard;
⁹ he has preserved our lives
    and kept our feet from slipping.

Psalm 66:1-9 

This passage is a beautiful picture of the connecting pieces between worship and missions. Our inner beings cries out in worship, the whole earth bows at his feet- because he is good and he is ALL that is good. This is the fuel that drives us to participate in the mission of God.