Book Titles

Melody and I were walking through a local, Christian bookstore today. I am a connoisseur of books. Love to read and love to look over book titles. And, let me say, there are some interesting ones out there.

We saw one book entitled, "Finding the Perfect Mate".

Now, can we just be real honest here? Why do so many marriage books go the "simple, fix-it, how-to" route?
7 ways to fix your marriage.
Enhance your communication skills.
Having a conflict-free marriage.
And...Finding the Perfect Mate.

Maybe I'm a little cynical here...but come one. Is marriage this simple? Are we not tired of the how-to's of doing marriage.

I find that marriage is a bit more messy and complex than that.

So...what about a few new book titles for marriages...
Picking up the pieces.
When she doesn't make sense.
When he doesn't make sense. (obviously, these are sold in a nice, package together)
Baggage claim...dealing with your own junk.
Marital Front-lines...doing battle for your marriage.
Wake Up...a couple's guide to spiritual warfare.
Brokenness...God's pathway to healing and freedom.

Would these be best-sellers? probably not.
But is that what we are after...make some money, sell some books, meet a deadline.
Come on authors, publishers, and marriage warriors. It is time to speak the truth and deal with the real, messy stuff of relationships and marriage.

ok...i am now descending from my soapbox.

Outpost

Tonight, we gathered with some couples to birth a new community, a small group. This is something that Melody and I have been praying about for a long time. Since moving back to Birmingham, we have been praying about the right time and right people to begin the journey.

The church we are a part of calls this thing a "small group". Tonight, though, we chose words like fellowship, family, platoon, living church, intimate allies, redemptive community, and outpost to describe it. I personally really like the term "outpost".

Webster defines an “outpost” as:
--a security detachment dispatched by a main body of troops to protect it from enemy surprise
--a military base established by treaty or agreement in another country
--an outlying or frontier settlement
--an outlying branch or position of a main organization or group

We are choosing to lay aside the traditional, "knowledge-driven", "lesson-focused", Sunday School class....not that those were bad. But we are much more driven to birth a Bible Obedience Group. Taking and applying scriptural truth to our lives, marriages, and families.

As I was preparing for tonight's meeting, God showed me the healthy tension between Togetherness (community) AND Aloneness (your personal walk).

He gave me an image of each person, through the week, taking up the sword in our unique battle-fronts. Some of the potential, unique battles might be: identity, addiction, anger, fear, pride, selfishness, marriage, parenting, disciplines, etc. So, we are called to take up the sword and fight for our hearts!!! Then, we come together at an “outpost” to literally refresh, refuel, and be renewed.

Now, that my friend, is a whole new approach to "small group, Sunday school, Bible fellowship"...whatever you want to call it.

Then God hit me with this...
If you are truly FIGHTING, then you will truly need REFUELING!!!!!!!!!!

An outpost, a group of people gathering regularly to refuel. A group of people who are out on the front lines through the week, doing battle...then gather out of desperation and dependency on God's refueling power provided through community.

An outpost...this whole thing sounds kind of "New Testament"...don't you think??

Coming out of hibernation

Hibernate/hibernation
1 : to pass the winter in a torpid or resting state
2 : to be or become inactive or dormant

The hibernation of a man's heart is closely connected to the winter season. The cold, dark days of being asleep...alive, but not present. During these winter days, all creation seemingly comes to a standstill, a halt. Life is put on hold. Barrenness. Emptiness.

But only for a season.

To stay there would be death for the soul. The hibernation of winter, the barrenness of a soul is never intended to be final. It is meant to set the stage. Usher in. To welcome...

Spring.

Men, fellow warriors of Christ, it is time to come out of hibernation. Spring is in the air and we are still asleep. Lulled by our occupational pursuits and financial striving. The dark enemy of the Spring, Satan, has grayed and dulled us into boredom and laziness.

Squirrels are playing.
Trees are blooming.
Flowers are bursting.
Shades of rainbow-like colors fill the earth landscape.

Men, it is time. Winter is over. Hibernate, no more. It is time to come alive. As a Spirit-induced, follower of Jesus Christ...Spring is in you. Come forth. Awaken, man of God.

2 Images...

Last night, as Mel and I were praying together, I had 2 images that really hit me about this whole faith journey...fighting and resting. Those 2 things don't seem to go hand in hand. I mean when you are fighting, full force against an enemy, there is not much rest involved. Conversely, when you are resting, fighting feels so opposite of that.

But this journey with Jesus and the story He is telling through us involves both. We are constantly battling for our hearts and others. We must daily put on the armor. Satan, our enemy, does not rest. He is on a mission to steal, kill, and destroy. So, we are always fighting.

We are always resting. Resting in the truth that our hearts are spoken for in Jesus Christ. Resting in the fact that performance, good deeds, and striving will not bring worth or value. We are accepted, redeemed, and set free through being "in Christ". Daily dependence and comfort in Him brings great relief and rest.

2 images. 1 life to be lived. Seemingly polar opposites. Fighting...Resting. Yet actually move together beautifully in the life of a follower of Christ.