kingdom come

I've been thinking a great deal recently about what it looks like to live the Gospel in real life circumstances. I especially want to point our college age community toward worthy examples of Gospel-life. How do we "in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation...appear as lights in the world " (Phil 2:15)? How do we live our future redemption in our lives now? What does it look like to strive toward the kingdom and will of God to be the same on earth as it is in heaven?

These are the questions that are on my mind a great deal of late. Then I thought about some people here at Grace that are lights in the world--examples of this kingdom living--for me. May their lives shine forth as an example for you as much they have for me...

• Scott Morton--I've had the opportunity to hear Scott cast vision for Grace's upcoming Capital Campaign in a number of forums, both public and private. He's the real deal. His life challenges me to personally re-evaluate if we are truly stewarding our material resources for the Kingdom. That doesn't even get into Scott's personal investment into college men, or as an elder, or the way he uses his dentistry practice for the Kingdom.
  
• Tim & Karen Weaver--I've been impressed watching Tim and Karen serve in many behind-the-scenes ways here at Grace. I think many would be surprised to find out how much they do for our Body Life. Beyond that, their love and commitment to their new boys Nick and Bif is amazing. They embody a picture of Romans 8:15.
  
• Mike and Katie Allshouse--Generous folks who recently adopted Eli from Ethiopia. They have raised my awareness of ministries such as Engineering Ministries International and Compassion International. They're living life and keeping their eyes open for opportunities to give of themselves to the Kingdom.
• Kevin and Brianna Heldt--This is a couple who regularly challenge me in a number of areas. Keven & Brianna were the first in our congregation to adopt twin boys from Ethiopia (Josef & Biniam) and to open my eyes to this possibility. Brianna blogs about issues like adoption and HIV in Africa (and lots of regular stuff too!) and they are a couple who looks seriously at how to live lives that promote justice, quality relationships and authentic spirituality.
  
• Kirt Collins--Kirt is the backbone of our ministry to the homeless population here at Grace. He's faithful to recruit volunteers for the overflow ministry and to oversee it's operation for two months each year. He also lives out his faith as a local principle and member of the community. Besides that, he's just a neat guy to be around!
  

This isn't an exhaustive list, but a group of people who are right in front of my eyes who are striving to to see and live in the world in light of the Good News of King Jesus. My guess is that none of these think they're doing anything special--normal people living out the Gospel the best they know how. If you have any examples you know and would be willing to share, I'd love to hear about them!

age

We recently had a discussion about age and getting date of birth information in a staff meeting. It raised a question for me, why are people in our culture so sensitive about age? It seems to me to be yet another way we've missed biblical teaching (even in the church at times). In my position at Grace it is not uncommon in any given day that I find myself in a room with college students 10-15 years younger than me. Then in the afternoon I'll find myself at a lunch with someone 10, 20, 30 years my senior. That said, I feel the tensions of Living the Gospel in an intergenerational church like Grace.

That said, I'm surprised how often we in the church seem to be disproportionately concerned with the impressions, opinions and desires of the young. I'm surprised that Christian Believers would feel embarrassed by their age. I think of the Proverbs,

The glory of young men is their strength,
but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.
(Prov. 20.29)

Listen to your father who gave you life,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
(Prov. 23.22)

In fact, Paul had to exhort Timothy, "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers tan example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. " (1Tim. 4.12). It seems youth was the bigger obstacle in their world. Proverbs begins by citing the lack of wisdom possessed by youth.

To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth
(Proverbs 1:1-3)

I wonder, in our media-saturated culture, where body image is such a prevailing issue, and teens and even pre-teens (with their disposable income) are targets for marketing, if we are not swayed into thinking that youth is somehow more valuable than age. Perhaps it's even a by-product of being part of a young country that has always valued social and economic mobility. Perhaps it relates to Hollywood's portrayal of "reality" where the young and beautiful generally reign. I'm not sure what the cause, I do know the seniors in our midst feel the impact of our youth-based culture at times. (As a side note--I had the opportunity to lunch with our Young @ Heart crowd last week. They are a wonderful group of folks! Among other parts of the afternoon, there was an impressive bubble gum blowing contest!) I know the older generations have more life experience, a generally stronger work ethic, and wisdom to offer that I am years from acquiring.

Anyway, these are some thoughts on my mind someone encouraged me to blog about--what do you think about this issue?