i've been trying to get back to myself lately, doing things i used to do...thinking about things i used to think. thus, i am reading this. it's the newest book by brian mclaren. it's all about the kingdom of God. what it is today, what it was to the jews, why it isn't talked about, how to embrace it and what the world could be if we did.
i remember talking and thinking about the kingdom of God all the time when we were doing ministry with gene and juli. it was what we dreamt about, seeing the kingdom of heaven form around us and being agents of change for the world, subverting culture, redeeming the dejected. i want my brain to hurt and stretch with these thoughts again, and my heart to swell with the many emotions that come with wanting to be a real part of the kingdom, worthlessness, but willing to be used, being dirty but shining, being scared but excited, lost but moving in a definite direction, broken but healing while helping to heal.
this book is bringing the stretch marks on my brain back. slowly, but still. i want to be a part of his kingdom coming on earth. by that i don't mean i want to be known, but that i want to know. i long to feel the static on my neck. the fear of NOT acting. the joy of trying.
i think about the people that live in the trailer park in coal valley we have done service projects for. i think about living among them. i wonder what could be for that community. i wonder if the next donald miller, (i am at the elca national youth gathering right now and donald miller will be speaking tonight at the conference and you can get the live stream of it at this site,) or the next Paul, or the next david crowder, or the next gene reynolds, lives there.
coal valley is interesting, because it is the fastest growing area in our parts, but it is diverse in the sense that a great deal of it is 100,000-400,000 houses, but then they have this trailer park that needs groups to come and fix it up. how does the kingdom play out in coal valley?
as i'm sitting thinking of what to type next, the thought, "the lord is a warrior" runs through my head. what that has to do with this, i'm not sure...feel free to chime in and tell me what i'm missing, but i thought i should write it.
jesus brought the kingdom to earth. it is hear and among us. can you see it. i choose to be blind and not take part, or squint and do what i want to do. oh where did i go? where have we gone? what have we done? but more so, what will we do? thy kingdom come and thy will be done. do it through me oh jesus. lead me not into tempation. deliver me from the evil one. forgive. i will forgive. come like you promised. but before you fulfill that promise, help me be a part of the bringing you already brought. the kingdom is among us. open my eyes.
It was great talking to you today about our common vision of the kingdom coming. I had not read your comments about Coal Valley before we spoke today and I appreciate your heart for this community. I really think there is fertile ground for making a difference for His kingdom there.
I always receive a boost of inspiration when I speak with you. You have a great heart for seeing Christ proclaimed and I know He will use you mightily wherever you are. Let's keep praying for each other and for His kingdom.
I read in Romans 5 yesterday "Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of highest privilege where we now stand and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory." I agree with Paul that we wait with confident expectation (Biblical hope) for our change to come. But really we already are standing with Christ in the kingdom. We are soldiers for God and warriors with Him in the Kingdom struggles. That is why you sing "Warrior" over and over in your head. Because you are one.
Blessings.
Posted by: Dean Sutton | July 19, 2006 at 08:24 PM