Dialoging Distinctions

I was fighting off anger at our staff meeting this morning and then became soothed by the penetration of God's Word plunging into my spiritual marrow.

I'm hearing all this hyper-emphasis on structure and how important one hour is on Sunday - thinking simultaneously about Israel's cry for a King followed by God's warning of what such structure entails. I'm thinking about the demand for a "permanent" temple and how all 3 never were. I've got King Saul in my head and God's rejection of him, only to be replaced by the red-headed runt of Jesse's brood of boys (were there any girls?). I envision the disciples replacing Judas with Matthias (sp?) whom we never hear from again. I hear frustrations about keys, gate codes, facilities requests, more policies and I seethe. I realize that structure has a purpose, but I discern where the Pharisees became "blind guides" when they lost sight of why the institution was so important.

So I look up the reference in Hebrews 4 about Sabbath rest being outside the structure of one day preparing to argue the error of our ways. And then I read from Romans 14 and realize that my dissension from the one particular member who's driving all this (who said during the meeting: "The church where I grew up was a big church" - aha! - that's his cultural bend) falls under the banner of "disputable matters."

Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.

I looked up the original words from verse one and found them intriguing. "diakrisis dialogismos" is literally "dialoging (or diliberating) disputations"

Now - who's "weak"??? Well, that gives the advantage to the one reading it. It may be a bit of Paul's persistent use of irony where the reader is allowed to be smug. Rarely will one read it and go "hey, that's me" (we only wish).

Well, I certainly won't change the response. So now I know what I'm dealing with. That puts me at ease and I can then hope and pray that the other person will eventually be enlightened as they grow and mature.

Truthing,

Jeff

“Left Toin at Albakoikee”

We’re trying to see all the “toins” and be courageous enough to make them. IOW-We are reevaluating the umbrella, which will be over the operation of this envisioned venue of espresso wafting the air while God does a transforming work in people’s lives.

The franchise format is becoming less appealing to us. After reading the 1-inch thick “circular” given to us by Moby’s CEO – and after talking to some dissatisfied employees and owners, we sense that it may not be an equitable trade-off to sacrifice the innovative expression of our vision for high-priced “expertise.” We think that many of the accompanying “products” we are required to sell, are distracting to the appeal of a non-conventional style of ministry. To be quite blunt – they encroach the “cheesy” barrier.

We think that will repel seekers, rather than draw them in. We are maintaining the model of John 1:14 where Jesus took on our existence thus releasing his rightful grasp of equality with God. He “became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” We want to do the same. The “churchiness” and “I’m saved, you ain’t” wall needs to have a Berliner demise once and for all.

So – it looks as though we will do this independently. Not that we think we are able to work in isolation. Lord knows there’s too many Lone Rangers out there. We have talked with existing coffee shop owners, both secular and Christian, who are in that region of the country. They have consented that they are willing to help us out by consultation. So our thinking now is to purchase some quality equipment and then learn first how to make a dynamite latte.

As far as the financial picture – things are shaping up a bit. The giving is at a trickle, but we’ve heard from many who have stated they will be making donations very soon. We had one couple offer to give us their 10 year old car. That gives us the option to give that car to Jordan and sell my 98 minivan for our needs, or vice versa.

Keep praying for the sale of our home. Our realtor states that our house is doing better since it is “showing” and others aren’t. We haven’t had what you might call “nibbles,” but the bobber is moving a little bit. It’s difficult to determine if there’s a fish below the surface, or if the wind it making it move.

YHWH A'-gap-e,

Jeff

Tevye was Right

In the final scene of "Fiddler On The Roof" - the Anatevkans are gathered as they mourn the necessity to depart their cherished town.

As is true to form with the dark comedic format this tragic story tells, the town's spiritual leader (No name given other than "Our Beloved Rabbi") remarks: "Our forefathers have been forced out of many, many places at a moment's notice." Tevye has a typical dichotomous simple/profound response: "Maybe that's why we always wear our hats."

As we face the Abrahamic dilemma of "going to a place we do not know" we trust and take comfort in God's promises. They are not mere poetry - rather revelation to rely on with a proven track record for multiple generations of followers.

Among the promises are the words found in Isaiah 45:2 &3

I will go before you
and will level the mountains;
I will break down gates of bronze
and cut through bars of iron.

I will give you the treasures of darkness,
riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the LORD,
the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

Shalom,

Jeff

Java Connection Blog

We've set up a site where people can get updates on our progress and support.

We're trying to set it up where people can subscribe and it will tell them when new posts are -- well, posted (I had a friend inform me he "doesn't do blogs" because it requires going to it and just seeing what has already been seen).

You can link to it with the URL - http://javeconnection.blogspot.com/

The God of Peace

We are soothed, Lord. You have such a perfect parental way of letting go and then intervening. How is it that you accomplish your perfect ways through fallible creatures made in your image?

Hallel lu YHWH Shalom

Leah and Rachel?

More options seem to be popping up in the near horizon. The franchise approach will put what seems to be an attainable time frame on everything. But other considerations are being presented before us that will necessitate the Godly virtue of patience (something I keep asking God to give me and without delay ;-D )

I think about the Hebrews characterization of faith and it puts in mind part of Jacob's story. I guess he thought he was being extremely patient when he worked for Laban for 7 years in order to marry Rachel. He ends up with a "not so fast" experience that would certainly tend to derail a few and create a nasty litigation situation in our Western society. But he perseveres - marries Leah and then works another 7 years until he can marry Rachel (ix-nay the igamy-bay).

Let's see what unfolds. I thought we were on a distinct path - but I should know better. Surprises wouldn't be surprises if they didn't surprise us.

Skano en ego,

Jeff

Provocative Pistos

The writer of Hebrews begins what human beings have structured into "chapter 11" (hope there's no correlation - yikes!) with "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for."

The writer goes on to list examples - but there is no final resolution in the context to life in the mode of taking in oxygen and giving off carbon dioxide (might as well be monoxide ;-D ). There is always a sojourning aspect.(v 13 And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth... v 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.")

TWICE - it says that none of them received what has been promised (vv 13 & 39).

So what good is our stepping out in faith and going from a mostly conventional and convenient context to a destiny full of uncertainties and what appears as instability??? - the LONGING. And God is not ashamed to be called "their" God.

It has dawned on me recently that God's greatest Kingdom (reigning) moments were achieved with and through those who were mobile and a bit uncertain. A look back at the Story reveals that all the trouble took place when people were settled and surrounded by secure edifices.


Now we're at a point where faith/believe ("pistos") is provoking us. We are all over the map emotionally (excited, angry and trusting). We thought we communicated our vision with integrity. We discussed the option of selling our house (telling people that we were downsizing) and then making known the direction we sensed to venture out. No. That would not be just.

So we inform the church that we are pursing our vision and that we will be conscientious to make every effort to provide a smooth transition - and when we depart will be contingent on the sale of our house. Lord - what happened? Did we do this wrong??? Some have said so. What other way could we have done this? You're in control (I think). Why would a leadership cluster decide that 90 days is long enough? I'm still trying to figure out - who's the "hoser" and who is the "hosee?"

I thought I knew what faith was as I have taught and encouraged people for 30 years. Now I'm pondering what it really is. I know what I hope for and I have a pretty good idea of what I want to see. The "sure" and the "certain" part are evading me now.

selah,

Jeff