.
When Jesus launched his one-man invasion of planet earth, he began by gathering a band of disciples to advance his kingdom-movement. He ended by entrusting his movement and his dreams to his inner circle with these words: "As the father sent me into the world, likewise I am sending you!" The mantle of the Jesus movement was not only taken up by the 12, but by the next generation (Stephen and Philip) and the next generation (Paul, Silas, Barnabas, Apollos) and the next generation (Timothy, John Mark, Titus) and beyond. Movement leaders gather people around tables and bread and wine and vision. Meals make movements. We are in the cafes and clubs and campuses of Romania to mobilize the next generation of Jesus' movement to overthrow injustice and exploitation and indifference. Table to table. Jesus style.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Scorecard Revision: SCOOOOOOORRRRRRE!!

In earlier posts, and most recently in the post "God's Scorecard", I asked for prayer that Alex and Nadia would find unity and peace, and that the funny tension would be replaced with rich, warm love. Well, score a big ol' three-pointer for Jesus! 

 It was actually on the day that I posted the "Scorecard" that heaven and earth began to move. For the last few weeks the girls are trotting perfectly in the harness together. This is a necessity for the success of our summer work

 Stop praying now? Hardly! 

 PRAYER: Pray that the love of God manifested in them will overflow and stain and saturate everybody who witnesses it. Pray that their fellowship will grow, and that it will be open and will enfold others in the love of God.

 COMMENTARY:  Generally in church life we only think about love and unity when there is a conflict that messes up the church program. The truth is, love and unity are, in and of themselves, the Life Force that makes the Body of Christ. Without all the parentheticals and run-on sentences, Ephesians 41-17 says this: 
Therefore, walk worthy of our calling, in total humility, gentleness, patience, and tolerance. Diligently preserve the unity of the Spirit, bound by peace. That's how we all grow into unity of faith, and into the knowledge of the Son of God, and measure up to Christ Jesus who is the head of this body. And as we let Jesus be our Head, each part does its proper work and the love-connections between us cause the body to grow and strengthen itself. So, I command you: do not walk in the dark futility of the Gentiles.
Love and unity are not just nice things to have in the Body of Christ. They actually constitute the life of the Body. We are no greater than the love that binds us together. In a situation as fragile and nascent as our situation in Romania, this is evident in every minute of every day. It can't be papered over with good music or smooth presentation.
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