Interrupted Prayer

I got up a little later than usual, and others in the house where up a little earlier.  After spending time reading in Luke 15, I recognized the living room was getting a bit too busy for a time of prayer and meditation, so I decided to move outside to the front porch.  It was only a little less distracting out there.  A few neighbours heading off to work and a few walking kids to school made it a bit difficult to concentrate.  I did, however, manage a few minutes of reflection on the theme of seeking the lost that is so pronounced in Luke 15.  As I meditated, one more distraction walked by.  My neighbour passed by, calling back to his father two doors down.  As I decided to end my attempt at a prayer time, it dawned on me that perhaps this distraction was not a distraction, but rather an answer to prayer, a reminder and a spurring on.

A few weeks ago, this same neighbour had approached me to return a broom that I had lent him.  After some small talk about the neighbourhood and how, as a child, he used to play in what is now my home with a friend, he began to ask spiritual questions.  He is in a time of seeking and investigating spiritual matters.  At the end of the conversation he said he would definitely be in touch with more questions later.  That was a few weeks ago and he had not mentioned it since, nor had I even seen him very much.  Seeing him that morning reminded me that perhaps I need to take the initiative.

The next day, when I saw him again, I intentionally went over to say hello.  I also took with me a book that addressed many of the things he had mentioned in our last conversation.  He was genuinely appreciative and expressed that it was exactly the sort of thing he was looking for as he continues his exploration.  

So, although it was interupted and did not feel particularly satisfying, perhaps it was a fruitful time of prayer after all.  My eyes and heart were opened, an application presented itself quite clearly and I recognized an opportunity for obedience.  Is there anything more we can ask for out of a time of prayer and meditation in scripture?  

 

A Cab in LA

"Thank you very much for the conversation" the cabi said, "and I will be sure to look into what you shared! Thank you again."  

We exited the cab, entered the building, headed to the third floor and took a seat in the waiting room.  We would then wait another two hours for our meeting.  It was a bit strange as our meeting had been pushed up an hour, but did not actually begin until an hour after the original scheduled time.  I think perhaps that the reason for the schedule change was actually the cab ride itself.  

I was in LA with my daughter for some meetings.  We headed to the lobby to call a cab but when we reached the lobby there was one that just happened to be waiting already, having just dropped off another guest.  We got in the cab and were greated by a very friendly cabi of South Asian descent.  We began to chat first about family, then specifically children, and seeing as my daughter was with me, about school.  I mentioned that we homeschooled which always leads to why, which leads to my son's illness in 2008 and our decision to try it for a year while we went through all the unknowns.  This of course leads to conversations about how he is now and as I was sharing the details, the difficulty or his tumour, the amazing team of surgeons etc. I felt compelled to also bear witness to how we saw God work.  I simply mentioned that there was a lot of prayer and that we are so thankful for how we saw God answer our prayers as He worked in and through the surgeons and beyond.  The cabi then asked about our religion to which I shared that we were followers of Jesus.  I asked him in return and he shared that he was Muslim.  

He shared his opinion that our two religions where the closet related out of the world religions.  It was here that I was thankful with my time spent with my friend Mike Hampton who has been a missionary to Muslim background peoples.  I was able to speak of the things that the Koran says about Jesus.  We spoke of the third Sura and the affirming of the Virgin birth amoung other things.  He shared with me that in order to be a faithful Muslim, he had to believe in Jesus but that, and I love the way he put this, we took it one step further.  What he meant, of course, is that more than just a prophet, we believe Jesus was the divine, one and only Son of God.  I imagine that we would also disagree about the details and significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus.  These, of course, are fundamental differences with eternal life and death significance and thus our faith systems, although having some touchpoints, are not actually the same at all.  Again, I remebered a story that my friend Mike had shared with me.  I told my new friend that I had not come to faith until I was 19, and that I don't take the teachings for granted.  I have looked at the teachings of different faiths in my searching.  I mentioned learning that the Koran refers to Jesus as the "Kalimah Allah," meaning "Word or Message of God" while calling Mohammed the "Messanger." I asked myself what was more important the message or messanger.  I came to the conclusion that the message was more important and that lead me to specifically spend time with the words of Jesus that are in the gospels.  As I shared this last thought, we arrived at our destination.

Thank you very much for the conversation" the cabi said, "and I will be sure to look into what you shared! Thank you again."  

Missional Monday-By Name

The doorkeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. (John 10:3 HCSB)

Recognizing that Jesus knows us each by name as He calls us, it gave me pause to think about how many of my neighbours I can call by name. I actually know more of my neighbours after just a year in Hamilton than I did in 6 years in Milton. This has a lot to do with the different nature of the neighbourhoods. Milton was a commuting town and many people left early and returned late each day. My neighbours now spend a lot more time in the neighbourhood, on the street and hanging out on the front porch. To be honest, however, there are still many neighbours that I do not know. And more than just neighbours, there are many other people with whom I will interact on a regular basis as I go about my day whose names I might endeavor to learn. What it requires is being intentional.
I think that there are people in each of our lives that we will see or interact with on a regular basis. I truly believe that God can, and wants, to use us where He has us. Some of us may be sent to specific places for specific task at points in our lives, but God wants to use each of us at all points in our lives.
A good place to start is to look and see who God has put in our path. There may be many strangers who are simply one introduction and a few conversations away from being an acquaintance and even friend. When we have learned a name we are building a relationship. It is often through such relationships that we find the opportunities to serve and share and make a difference for the sake of the Kingdom.

Missional Monday - using the disciple's story of discovery

We have been experimenting for the last while with the premise that the Gospels are not only a very powerful tool for discipleship, but that they may be the best evangelism tool we have as well.  In an attempt to engage people with who Jesus is and what He has done, we have been offering a challenge and invitation to read a Gospel, to read just exactly what Jesus said about himself with the point of being able to make an educated decision for oneself.   Our thought was that this would give people a fuller understanding about what they are making a decision for or against but that also it might appeal to a more post modern mindset as one is learning for themselves.  We offer to walk with people through such a process if they are open and willing.

I have noted that I have been reading Read the Bible for Life and really enjoying it.  There was a chapter on reading the New Testament stories (the Gospels and Acts) and I was really excited to read what Darrell Bock had to say about reading the disciple's story of discovery especially as we think of reading with those who have yet to believe. 

That's part of the story, to tell the disciple's story of discovery.  This is important for us as we read the Gospels, but it is also a key for how we read the Gospels with people who have yet to believe the gospel message.  What we've got to do is learn to read the Gospels on the Gospels' terms...We need to recover the ability to read with fresh eyes and lead others trough the conversation the Gospels are initiating, as opposed to just flipping to the end of the story.  We have to walk with people through a process.  We have to understand that when we say that Jesus is unique, that Jesus is the only way to God, we are going against the grain of our culture which says "there are many ways to God."  So how do we help people get there?  I think we should let the Gospels tell the story, uncovering the identity of Jesus a step at a time.  That's what the Synoptic Gospels attempt to do, and they do it, in part, through the way the disciples are coming to realize who Jesus is as the hang out with Him. 

(pg. 154-155)

Although this has been some confirmation for what we have been doing, it has also added another dimension of understanding and focus.  I have really been appreciating this idea of learning from the disciple's journey of discovery,  I have really been appreciating.  

One more Monday, one more thought about how we might be engaging in the Mission that God has for His church.  I would love to hear your thoughts or insights.