Pastor Pusch

Last Thursday I had the privilege to hear what has become one of my favorite speakers and writers. Francis Chan brings to his audience a genuine love for God; an authentic faith covered in grace and humility. On Thursday evening of Catalyst Conference, Chan shared with us from scripture about the power of the cross and the grace that come from “the God of ALL grace.” It was simple. There was no a new approach or anything flashy; just Francis Chan and the Word of God. It was an incredible evening to say the least.

On the subject of Grace, Chan shared a story about one of his daughters who came home from school one day terrified about an “F’ that she received. Chan told the Catalyst crowd that he was taken by it and that it was unacceptable especially because she was an “asian girl” (a hilarious side note). Scared as to what dad was going to do once he found out about the “F”, Chan’s daughter anxiously awaited his arrival home. Chan arrives home and his daughter, scared to death, asks, “what are you going to do to me dad?” “What are you going to do?” Chan looks at his daughter and says, “tonight, we’re going out.” “We’re going to dinner, a movie, and maybe some shopping… this time.” While I am sure there was plenty to talk about concerning the “F” and the instruction given to study harder or whatever that “dad talk” is like, Chan made the decision to bestow grace upon his daughter. The next day when Chan’s daughter went to school, all of her friends gathered around her and ask, “what happen?” “What did he do?” Chan’s daughter replied and shared with them that they went to dinner, a movie, and did some shopping to which they responded, “WOW! I want your dad!”

Amazing. What a response! What is it in our lives that portrays the grace of our Father? When people interact with us, how do they walk away? Do we display the grace of God in our lives? When people see us, do they wish they had our Father? The truth is the grace of God has been bestowed on us abundantly. With grace comes great responsibility, but it is His grace that is certainly enough. What about those times where life hands you an “F”? Does grace abound or does it only display itself when we approve of what God is doing? Perhaps that’s too real.

Given our desire to make it all about me, we often approach this subject of Grace with a self-absorbed mentality. Titus 2:11 tells us the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Meaning all can be saved. Great news. Ephesians 2:8 gives a little more insight to how grace and faith work together. “By grace you have been saved through faith [in Christ Jesus], and this not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works so that no one should boast.” The problem we run into sometimes is that we have this burn in us to make grace all about me or something that I must merit in order to attain it. That is how our relationships work. When God administered grace, it was done! I think we struggle because that approach is too easy. Again, with grace there is responsibility, but it is that easy. How do we deliver this great news of grace? Do we define grace as something we do or do not do or do we simply allow for Christ to say it is done… follow me.

When people walk away… do they want your Father in Heaven?

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
Chapter 9: Who Really Lives that Way?

Who are some of your favorite Bible personalities? Why? Some the of the responses last night included David who always knew that God was supreme, Esther who risked her life before King Xerxes “for such a time as this”, and Paul who Christ miraculously changed from one extreme lifestyle to another; from hatred toward God to a passionate pursuit of Him, making him the most notable missionary the world has ever witnessed. What about modern heroes of the faith? Who in your life do you consider a hero? Why do we consider these people as heroes? What makes them a hero? For those that you consider heroes of the faith in your life, what makes them that way?

In chapter 9 of Crazy Love, Chan gives several different examples of those who did some pretty radical things in their life. We read stories about people like Nathan Barlow who was a medical doctor serving in Ethiopia. At one time had to leave the mission field to have some work done on his teeth. When he met with his dentist, he requested that all of his teeth be removed and replaced with false ones so he would never have to leave the mission field as a result of dental issues. We read about Jamie Lang who took her life savings to travel to Tanzania. While there she learned about a pregnant woman who was dying as a result of AIDS. Jamie decided to stay to help this mother and her soon to be son. Jamie took care of the baby and when the mother died, Jamie adopted him. The baby was HIV negative as the “morning after pill” the mother took caused a pre-mature birth which didn’t involve any blood and the baby avoided the dreaded disease. She taught them both about the love of God and just before the mother died, she accepted Christ as Savior.  The ninth chapter is full of these kinds of examples. Examples of those who did some pretty radical things for God.

One of my favorite stories, however, is about the Robyson family. They weren’t missionaries. They were stricken with any kind of disease. They were simply willing servants. Every Christmas, the Robyson family celebrates by making their way to the local mission to prepare and serve pancakes for the homeless. Christmas for the Robyson’s has nothing to do with presents or the “me factor”. It was all about serving the homeless, an event the kids look forward to every year.

The reason I love the story about the Robyson’s so much is that it has everything to do with the “availability factor”.  Maybe God is calling you to do something radical, but radical may just be defined as serving pancakes. Having a “crazy love” for God doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to go to Zimbabwe, or downsize your home to build and fund a third world orphanage, or give up or teeth for the sake of the Gospel. I mean, if that’s it, GREAT. Do it! Having a “crazy love” may simply mean pancakes. Perhaps it’s getting involved in church ministry, sharing the gospel, or being a mentor. Maybe it’s volunteering some hours with the Hope Clinic, Feed the Children, or the Rescue Mission. Whatever it may be, having a “crazy love” for God has everything to do with availability. Make yourself available. Look for opportunities to put your faith into action. That, my friends, is radical.

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” – Jesus (Matthew 16:24-26)

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
Chapter 8: Profile of the Obsessed

Obsessed: “To have the mind excessively preoccupied with a single emotion or topic.” (Crazy Love, pg. 129)

Obsessed: It’s true. You will always find time for the things that you love. If your love is playing sports, you probably have no problem finding the time to play. If it’s simply hanging out with your friends or watching all 6 episodes of Reba every afternoon and evening, you will make time. You will always make time for the things that matter most. Although you may never confess those things to be the most important priorities in your life, your time spent involved speaks otherwise. There is nothing wrong with loving to play sports or watch some of your favorite sitcoms or vegging out in front of the tube for 3 hours only to see your team lose yet another one. However, when those items begin to interfere with what really matters and that is our relationship with Christ and what He values as important, we must take note.  Believe me when I say that I often times struggle here too. It’s never my goal to intentionally ignore those things that God deems worthy (i.e. serving God/serving or ministering to others), it’s just that I don’t always care to look for those opportunities or in many cases, I am just to complacent too look for those opportunities. My goal is not to beat us up or preach from a soapbox, but rather to help us become more aware. We talked last night in our group discussion that we must make a conscience effort to be about the things of God. Our default thinking mode is not to think on the things above, but rather to think on those things which are temporal.

Zeal: In Revelation chapter 3, Jesus draws some harsh conclusions concerning the church of Laodicea. Jesus said that he was rather them be hot or cold, but because they were lukewarm, he would spit them out of His mouth. The Laodiceans knew all to well what Jesus was talking about as the water they received into the city was lukewarm and not very good tasting at all. Jesus takes it a bit further when He begins to tell them the truth about their spiritual condition; that they were indeed poor, wretched, naked, and blind. This comes to the Laodiceans who apparently fell into a very casual, complacent state as they believed that all was well and that they were in need of nothing. One could easily understand the process behind their thinking as Laodicea was a city marked by a wonderful economy. They were mostly known for their banking industry, wool manufacturing, and  its “world renown” eye clinic (providing the very best in eye salve). Though they were all these things, Jesus, looking into the heart of the people and knew they were missing out on what really mattered. He exhorted them to buy gold (bank) from Him refined by fire that they may be rich, to buy white garments (wool) from Him that they would be clothed and no longer ashamed, and for Christ to anoint their eyes (eye salve) that they might truly see. Worldly speaking, the Laodiceans were rich, yet spiritually speaking, they were far from true riches.

What does this have to do with Zeal? In verse 19 of chapter 3, scriptures tell us that Jesus rebukes those He loves and that we should be zealous and repent. The rebuke that comes from Christ is one that ought to compel man to see the error of his ways and turn away from it. Jesus also says to be zealous. “Zealous” is such a great word. In the original Greek, the word means to have a “feeling of warmth for or against something” and/or ”to have great desire”. Other words for zealous would be words like passionate, fervent, enthusiastic, or fanatical. I think we get the point. Are we passionate concerning the things of God? Do we possess a fervent, enthusiastic, or fanatical spirit? Is there a feeling of warmth or a strong desire to pursue God? Jesus said, “be zealous and repent.”

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above. where Christ is, sitting on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things of earth.”
Colossians 3:1-2