I have been rarely changed entirely by a given idea or book..... most christian books are OK, with your hint of motivation and poignancy.
Yet this book turned it all around and really made things simple. Yet Hard.
I totally recommend this book to anyone who is ready to step into the Kingdom.
tell me what you think if you have read it....
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i was hoping that it would have been the irresistible revolution lol
ReplyDeletePastor Josh,
ReplyDeleteThis is Paloma's husband. I rarely go on the internet so sorry if I haven't posted in a long time. I hope your family is doing well as you serve our Lord in Guadalajara.
I am glad you have been keeping up your studies as we try to learn more about our God. I hadn't heard of the book you were talking about nor the pastor, but I took a look at his website and I was a little distraught. I would be very careful about his teachings especially as it relates to the Christian church and how it relates to our culture. Just looking at some of his views on the Kingdom of God and a few of his statements I believe he is reading more into Jesus statements than was intended. The Kingdom of God wasn't and isn't where God is necessarily working or moving if that was the case we would be chasing him all over the globe hoping we were partnering with him at the right place and time. But the Kingdom of Heaven is the sphere of his authority under which we come when we submit to Christ in recognition of our sins and in repentance and receiving his forgiveness and the Holy Spirit. In doing so I am already in the Kingdom of God. When Jesus spoke and said the Kingdom of God is like...or the Kingdom of God is... he was describing the Christian life and our life eternal. Again a new concept to a Jew, who was waiting for a conquering Messiah to usher in a Kingdom, but Christ was showing them that the suffering Messiah was ushering in the Kingdom and completing it when he conquers at his second coming. His Kingdom affects our hearts not the world. By his work in our lives we then can affect the world as he works through us. Beyond that anything else is pure speculation and borderline error. I think sometimes preachers have a message and a vision of how to engage the culture, but they try too hard to find a Biblical picture or justification for it. If we are walking in the Spirit, then everything will be taken care of and we will be where Jesus wants us to be. It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. (Phil 2:13) We aren't chasing Him...He is already working in us. The reason why we are so lazy is because we aren't walking in the Spirit as he commands. A book, a message, a program or a new way of looking at things will only seem effective for a while, but once the glitter is gone it will be just another new idea that is passed over by another new concept or book. Of course it is easier for us to grasp on to the newest concept than it is to patiently and consistently walk in the Spirit. We are young and we want results, we want God to do something amazing yesterday. We stay positive and hope to see revival, but Moses saw 40 years of Shepherding before he led the Israelites out of Egypt. David patiently shepherded the sheep before becoming a King. Paul waited many years before he began his missionary journeys. Joseph spent two years in prison and many years in Egypt before God used him to save his family. We don't need a new concept of Gods Kingdom or a new way of doing church. What we need is to cling to Jesus, trust Him and obey Him and let Him complete His work in us and then he will bring the ministry to us. We will not need to chase it. Nowhere in the Bible do you see a man of God running to where God is working, but instead he is running away or God spends many years preparing him.
I have said all this without reading the book but I will try and find it at the store or library and read it and I will tell you what else I think.
Thanks
jking55@wi.rr.com
Hey Josh, how are you? I hear good things about you guys, and congrats on your award as the rookie of the year. Thats great man.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you do read this book. And I do so agree with some of the points you made, but I got to tell you, in no way is this guys point to engage culture. But to simply engage the kingdom that is present... now.
I know that there is a lot of stuff being written about how the church needs to be more relevant and be part of our "culture". And quite frankly, some of these teachings are kind of our there. But I believe that the more we take serious what Jesus said about the kingdom, and how he ushered it in (contrary to what the jews wanted), we do make the church more relevant... but not by merging into the culture, but my becoming more relational.
WE do not need to be chasing him all over the globe to find out where and when he is going to be working. Quite contrary, the kingdom is within us. We are the kingdom, we are the hands and feet, we are the light and the salt. We are what and how the kingdom operates. Not a show, a service even or especially an event. The kingdom advances with us, obeying Jesus, loving God and loving man. It is a hard concept to grasp, since it might move slow, or discreet (like a mustard seed, or leaven).
The kingdom is not only when we come under his authority. There is only a transfer of kingdoms when we are forgiven and come under his Authority. We can only be transferred by grace and received with a spirit of adoption to his kingdom, but once there, the Kingdom is a .... kingdom. It operates, it functions and it advances. Jesus taught us many things about the kingdom, and in Matthew five, he sets up the ground rules for this kingdom. Its here and not yet here, its busting in the scene. And it is affecting this world, everyday. Amid the kingdom o darkness (the world), God ushers in his kingdom. We do not have to wait until the second coming, to participate in it. If that were so, all we would have to do would be "saved" and wait on the sidelines until Jesus returns.
Again, i think by reading this book it might give you a clearer picture of what he describes as a "beautiful mess". And in no way is this a how to program on how to engage culture, or the "next big thing". (i totally see you point about programs like these, they are useless). But the kingdom of God is present, and advancing, and it is subtle, again like a mustard seed. It is not a big thing, or a huge revolution. it is living according to the new kingdom (which is currently present) and is Jesus in us. And the best book for that.. is his word. Matthew really does a good job about Jesus describing the present kingdom (mark 1:13) and how to live accordingly. This is not something new, this is as old as it gets.
And i don't know about him bringing the ministry to us, I think we got to get out there and shine our lights, be the salt, and the world will see this kindom operating in us, and they will see our light, and Glorify our father in heaven. (sorry for the run on sentence, i'm addicted to them) We do not need to be running where God is working, because the kingdom is within us.
Hey thanks for your input, i think you will find it a good read. Not the authority an anything reallly (no book but the word should be that) but great insight on the kingdom.
Love you guys, praying for you all the way over there in snow!!!
See you guys at Christmas in Matamoros?
Josh
im reading it. man it is really good
ReplyDeleteWell.... I agree with my Josh (King)... I haven't read the book but I have read some of the things Rick McKinley believes and sounds really dangerous (also in a subtle way).... We will read the book and share our thoughts.... but I would even rather not read something like that.... when I have already seen some of the things he believes...... I've heard things like that before and it didn't lead to anything good...
ReplyDeletea lie would never be believable if it is too far from the truth... so... to be believable it must be mixed with "some truths" ... and that makes it even worse..... and more "risky" ....
but... I will be praying before reading the book and after...
Take care....
Please say hi to Lisa!!!
Hey Pas... you haven't said anything in my blog or on my facebook lately... hmmmm... hehe
ok.. GBY!
Paloma.
Thanks Paloma, tell me what you think after you read it. Lisa is great, and hopefully we will see you soon this Christmas?
ReplyDeletetake care!
Miss you guys!
Josh
yes pastor ... we will be in Matamoros (God willing) from 12/24 to 01/09 ... so in case you are there... we will see you....
ReplyDeleteit will be great... we are really looking forward to it... I am counting the days!!!
I want to see my family but also so dear friends like you!
GBY!
P.S. I still laugh when I remember the time when we interviewed a guy... and his voice..... OMG!!!
We are so bad!
HAHAHAAH..... that is so wierd... i was just thinking about that yesterday!!! hahahahah. How did i survive that?
ReplyDeleteWell Pastor,
ReplyDeleteThis book is causing a stir; So I'll buy it this week and read it this weekend.
Jarvs