The Unlovable

1 Timothy 2:3 “This is good, and pleases God our savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” In the interview I mentioned in yesterday’s post, Will Hart relayed a story about the first time he went to Thailand to do ministry. He found himself in a Tuk-Tuk sitting next to an older Canadian man, who after introducing himself proceeded to express his excitement for that evening’s activities. As the man relayed his plans to buy several children and have forced sex with them, Pastor Will’s heart filled with rage. But as the anger and disgust compounded, he heard God say “if you can’t love this one, then you shouldn’t come back here to do ministry.” Hearing this man talk excitedly about raping children broke Pastor Will’s heart, but he asked himself if he could love the unlovable. He had to ask himself if he could love not just the ones who are hurting, but the ones who are doing the hurting. This might be offensive to some people. It was offensive to me and it was offensive to Pastor Will. But from that moment on, he ministered not just to the prostitutes, but the pimps and perpetrators. Multiple people from all those categories were saved on that trip and subsequent trips because he followed God’s call to love the unlovable, just as Jesus did. If you want to see Pastor Will Hart and Pastor Robby Dawkins in action ministering to the lost in Thailand, check out “Furious Love.” It’ll blow your mind. Lord, you always call us to the impossible. You call us to give the ungivable, to believe the unbelievable and to love the unlovable. You want ALL people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. Help me to love all your children today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Polarizing Figure

Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Over the weekend I watched an interview with Robby Dawkins on Youtube. Pastor Robby has his roots in the Vineyard Church movement, which was started by John Wimbur with a congregation of 50 members. It currently stands at 2,400 congregations across 95 countries. One time at a revival meeting in Texas a Vineyard Pastor came up to Robby and asked “So Robby, what does it feel like to be one of the most polarizing figures in the Vineyard Church movement?” “Ummm… well thanks… I guess? I guess I just consider myself in good company. Because well John Wimbur was a polarizing figure at Calvary Chapel. And Chuck Smith who started Calvary Chapel was a polarizing figure at Foursquare Church. And Aimee McPherson who started Foursquare Church was a polarizing figure in her day, and you go all the way back and Jesus was about as polarizing as you get.” Pastor Robby explained that with pretty much every church revival in history, the Holy Spirit moves and sometimes those manifestations (supernatural healing, words of knowledge, other signs and wonders) make people uncomfortable. Then as that church movement grows, it gets more safe and resistant to change, so anyone who invites some of these disruptive movements of the Holy Spirit is considered “polarizing.” My life’s mission is to experience and enable others in experiencing extreme intimacy with God. Naturally that includes making disciples, so I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about how to do that. My upbringing as a kid who got bullied still manifests in a fear of not being accepted. But God did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind. I feel like God is revealing a new roadmap for how to do his work. Lord, as we head out of Easter I thank you for the gift of your son, who rose from the dead and told us to go and make disciples. I thank you that you are alive and that you speak to us clearly on how to do your work. I submit my will to yours, and look forward to what you have in store. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Baptism Good Friday

John 19:30 “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. I slept really well last night for the first time in a while. I had an open schedule this morning where I was really looking forward to some chunky quiet time with God. But for some reason, I just found it difficult to get into that secret place. I know God is bigger than your circumstances, but I found myself wondering “maybe it’s because I’m alone in quarantine… maybe it’s the less-than-luxurious hotel… maybe it’s the lack of exercise in tight quarters?” But then I dialed into our church’s baptism service this afternoon and the presence of God just fell. Testimony after testimony just billowed out of my computer screen into my little hotel room. Restoration of broken relationships, supernatural healing of depression and disease, expressions of the father’s love through kingdom community… I found myself pumping my fist and exclaiming amen with a tear flying on more than one occasion. God you are so good. Your death on the cross wasn’t just some isolated event two thousand and twenty years ago. The power of your death and resurrection still lives on today, and I am so blessed to be a witness of the works you continue doing. I love you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.