What do YOU want?
Feb 2, 2022.
Some Christians say they are submitted to God’s will. And that can be mark of maturity to be sure, but it can also be a cop out. We are in a relationship with Jesus, so believe it or not he wants to hear what we think and feel and want.
#JesusStories: Do you remember the story about Jesus asking the blind man, “What do you want?” Now I’m sure it was obvious to all why the blind man was shouting, but Jesus wanted to hear the man say, “I want to see!” Interesting. There is a version of spirituality that diverts all things to Jesus for his initiation. But that can slip into false humility. We are in a real two-way relationship we Jesus, and while he is forever downloading the inbreaking kingdom into our lives and ministries, he also wants to hear our heart initiations too. Mark 6:56 shows this so clearly: In every village or farm or marketplace where Jesus went, the people begged him to let them just touch his clothes and everyone who did was healed. Wow, Jesus initiated healing for all kinds of people and in all kinds of ways, but he never suggested anyone should just touch his clothes. It was the woman with the chronic bleeding condition in Mark 5 who initiated this approach when she slipped up behind Jesus and touched his robe. And now, these townspeople having heard about that woman were doing the same thing in Mark 6. I LOVE THIS! These folks initiated a healing process all on their own, and Jesus honored each of their ‘healing reaches’. How long has it been since you’ve initiated something in the Spirit? As it turns out, your thoughts and ways and initiatives are quite important to our Lord. He is your dearest friend. Go tell him what YOU want.
#DinnerChurchQuotes: During an interview with mother Teresa she was asked, “What do you do when you pray?” She answered, “I just listen.” To which the interviewer asked, “Well what does God say?” Mother Teresa paused and said, “I don’t expect you to understand this, but he just listens.” (Vince Antonucci)
#PracticalStuff: Is there someone on your core team that needs to share the Jesus Story at your next Dinner Church gathering? While it is good for the DC congregation to hear from their pastor often, it is great for the team to learn to be ‘instant in season and out’ by the way they learn to handle the Jesus Stories. So pitch the ball to someone next week.
Blessings & Boldness,
Verlon
Dr. Verlon and Melodee Fosner have led a multi-site Assemblies of God Dinner Church in Seattle, Washington since 1999 (www.CommunityDinners.com). In this decade when more churches in the U.S. are declining than thriving, and when ninety-six churches a week are closing, Verlon and Melodee sensed that a different way of doing church was needed for their 97-year old Seattle congregation. It soon became obvious that they were not the only ones in need of a different path. They joined the FX team in 2016 and founded the Dinner Church Collective. And then in 2019 founded the Dinner Church School of Leadership. There is a lot to be gained when church leaders begin to see open doors in the American landscape that they had previously overlooked. Therein lies the journey for those who will forge a new future for the American Church.
Categories: Uncategorized
02.2.22
By: Brad Andres
I’ve not noticed before the pattern of cloaca touching for healing as started in Mark 5 with the woman and continued by others in Mark 6. Thinking in this light brings a new flavor to the intimate nature of our relationship with the Lord. Thanks for a new insight.
02.2.22
By: Kristina Meece
That quote from Mother Teresa gets me every time! I do not do enough listening when it comes to God. Thank you for that gentle reminder again.
02.2.22
By: Anthony Johnson
I love this idea that we have the freedom to try new things in our approach to God. He isn’t put off by it or scared of it; He loves to see the pursuit!
02.2.22
By: Paulette Toews
This is one of my favorite passages. Jesus specifically asks the blind man what he wants from Him. The first time I read that I thought “duh”, of course, he wants to see. The great thing is, God knows what we need but His desire is for us to ask of Him, to show our trust. It was a mind-blowing moment in my walk with Jesus.
02.3.22
By: Debbie Wilkerson
I love this. We have been given the gift of free will, but we also want to be in the “center of His will.” This doesn’t mean we give up all of our wants and desires to become robots or puppets, but that we are in a relationship. He loves me and wants to know, what do I want?
02.3.22
By: Julie
Many homeless I have encountered will have a sign stating something to the effect, “anything will help,” but do they really know what they need? One homeless woman I encountered had an answer. When I asked what she needed she had an exact amount with a goal of what she needed it for. It impressed me and I believe the Lord as well. Within a short time after he Spirit prompted me to give just what she needed to her and she and I were both changed because of it. She knew what she needed and wanted and asked. She got it!
02.3.22
By: Megan Monterrosa
I love this post! I had never seen the connection before about the people seeing the woman with the issue of blood touch Jesus’ clothes then wanting to touch His clothes because of that! Honestly, I needed to hear this today, that the Lord does care about what I actually want and each thing concerning my heart. I am remembering today that I can approach Him with all my things, in fact He wants to hear them. Initiating my own healing reach today.
I think it’s interesting to consider that as we move ahead in faith, others are watching and will be encouraged to seek the Lord themselves too.
We’ve been encouraging members of our team to share the Jesus story and we really love seeing them step out and do this.
02.4.22
By: David Dalton
I appreciate the reminder that we are in a two-way, interactive relationship with a living God. We often turn our relationship into a one-way affair, either we do all the talking and no listening or we wait passively for God to do something for us or to us. Our relationship with God should be more like a dance, both of us are intimately involved and it doesn’t work right if one party or the other is not fully invested.
02.7.22
By: Angel Porubsky
I am so thankful for a God who is creative, and gave us the ability to live and walk in creative thinking. How beautiful is it that each of our unique perspectives, life experiences, and ways of doing things, can come together to model His church.
02.8.22
By: Jorge Hernandez
I had always used the story of the blind man as a way to illustrate the importance of pinpoint prayer, expressing our faith boldly, and being relentless in our pursuit of His mercy. But I had never focused on the fact that it was an illustration of how God honors our hearts initiations. WOW! The story the woman touching his garment and the townspeople doing the same thing, fall right in line with this truth. Thank you so much for bringing this to light!
Truth be told, I have paid the painful consequences of stalling ministry by hiding behind the phrase “I’m just waiting on the Lord.” Only to realize later that God was actually waiting on me!
02.10.22
By: David A. Brakke
I am intrigued by the statement, “There is a version of spirituality that diverts all things to Jesus for his initiation. But that can slip into false humility”. The idea that we might become stalled or delayed because we are waiting for Jesus’ initiation in a specific area is an interesting idea. Is it safe to say that Jesus has already initiated all that is permissible? Did His incarnation, life, resurrection, and the giving of the Spirit bring an initiation that allows us to generally act immediately with freedom? Or is it the case that Jesus prefers to initiate opportunities for obedience on a more situational basis?
02.22.22
By: Jeremy Veninga
Ahhh the lost art of listening, we know this is true but it is so difficult for us to do. Thanks for the reminder about God caring about our personal request and desire. This is hard to understand because there are so many of us so how could He possibly know us so individually. But He does and I am grateful.
03.2.22
By: daryl miller
I am putting Jesus stories, activities, and attitudes out front and center. I crave the spiritual truths What I learn from them is powerful. These simple stories are life-altering. They transcend past or current points-of-views; override flesh; and, give kingdom perspective.
Our little Dinner Church congregation is being transformed, just as I am, by these truths.