Once there was a Chinese prince who died and was given a glimpse of both heaven and hell. First, he was escorted to hell, where he found tables laden with various foods and delicacies, but the people were sitting there angry and frustrated, quarreling with each other. They were not permitted to pick up the food with their fingers, and they couldn't feed themselves because the chopsticks they were given were ten feet long.

Then the prince was taken to heaven. Again he found a beautiful banquet, and again only ten-foot chopsticks. But here the people were happy and content, for they sat on opposite sides of the tables, each one feeding the person across from him.

(taken from Nelson's Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations & Quotes)

God tests you.

I mean, God didn’t tell me this. But it seems like God tests me.

And I don’t think it’s because God is uber-concerned with my test results.

I think it’s because God wants to show me where I really am.

It isn’t so much about getting a 97% on God’s test.

But more-so about God’s tests serving as a great big “YOU ARE HERE” arrow on our life.

So don’t get pissed at God when you fail.

Get pissed at yourself.

And then do something about it.

In the last 10 years of my life, I’ve been to A LOT of conferences. And they’ve been awesome (except for one that was super lame).

But this is the thing: you go to a conference and it’s like putting your brain in hyper-drive. It goes spinning at 10,000 mph for the next week. But then what? Maybe a few changes are made, maybe a few new “nuggets” of info get stored into your brain. Maybe not.

Retreat. A time of pulling back. A time of regrouping. A time to slow down, instead of speed up.

Rob Bell – who receives criticism for being TOO creative in his preaching – says he hasn’t been to a pastors conference in years. But he has started doing a lot more “slowing down.”

Think about it. Which “superstar” pastor or youth pastor is going to conferences? I’d say hardly any. I’d bet most all are putting on the conferences. They’re not sitting in the middle of the crowd to get into worship, they’re sitting backstage with the other “superstar” pastors praying, laughing, and talking.

So think about it, if we’re trying to be like those “superstar” pastors. If we’re trying to tap into a depth of relationship and wisdom, then shouldn’t we unplug? Shouldn’t we – when we need recharged – slow down instead of go into hyperdrive?

Good things happen at conferences. I’m not afraid of them. I’d love to be going to SYMC this weekend (they dWo A LOT to make small, intimate connections happen).

But if given a choice, I’d choose retreat. I’d choose a weekend in the woods with a handful of close friends. I’d choose to be close with 20 people and sit in prayer, worship, and discussion for a couple of days.

Which is why I’ll be attending Seismos on March 20-22. There are still a few spots available. Will you join me?

• Seismos information page: http://joeldaniel.wordpress.com
• Seismos Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=251227003445
• Download Seismos registration packet (PDF): http://go2.wordpress.com/?id=725X1342&site=joeldaniel.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjoeldaniel.files.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fadvert2.pdf

Two questions that can shape our future action:

1. What does it look like when God’s Kingdom prevails?

• redemption. reconciliation. healing. forgiveness. growth. unity. love. fun. diversity. passion. joy. light. hope.

2. What does it look like when God’s Kingdom doesn’t prevail?

• materialism. greed. lieing. shallowness. legalism. disrespect. murder. lust. apathy. hate. darkness.

Over the past 6 years, I’ve talked to SO SO SO many people about their understanding of God and faith and whatnot….

Here is the key. Here is the root of it all.

Scripture.

What you believe about Scripture is the root of everything else you believe. Everything stems from that.

If you believe that the Bible is God’s love letter, then you read verses a certain way. You understand Jesus a certain way. You see church as a certain thing.

But if you think the Bible is a history of God’s interaction with humanity, you’ll treat those same things much, much differently.

If you think the Bible is the COMPREHENSIVE word of God, then you filter EVERYTHING through the lens of Scripture.

If you believe the Bible is merely 1 sources out of many sources of God’s Word, then your interaction with God is going to be massively different.

If you’re trying to understand your own thoughts about God, take some time (maybe a year) and do some digging and figure out what you think the Bible is.

These are questions I ask myself each Sunday?

• Isn’t it theologically wrong to call a building “church?”
• Is God proud of us for our faithfulness to a denomination?
• Isn’t it really, really shallow when we call a half hour of music “worship?”
• Are there people who are withholding their talents and time from others?
• Would Jesus be bored at church?
• Would Jesus know that our church service is supposed to be about him?

There are 2 ways to walk into a church building on Sunday morning.

These 2 ways are shaped by 2 questions that you’re asking (whether you know it or not…).

1.What will I “get out of it?”

This is a questions asked by a consumer of a business. When I walk into Taco Bell and don’t get what I want, they’ve screw up. They owe me. I might not come back there. I’ll ask for a refund. I’ll talk with a manager. In our culture, it makes sense. It’s obvious. Even writing it all down feels redundant.

I’ve seen people complain about the worship band – even though the entire band is made up of volunteers who are spending LOTS and LOTS of time outside of Sunday morning to make it all work. I seen people complain about “not feeling connected” though they can’t take 1 day out of their week to join a small group. You shouldn’t being the same set of assumptions to Sunday morning church that you bring into Taco Bell.

2. What can I give?

I know people from each church I’ve ever been a part of who enjoy neither the preaching style nor the music style of church they attend. However, those people are committed to the church. They show up every Sunday. They don’t expect a sermon that moves them and sometimes they’re surprised. They don’t anticipate music that gives them goosebumps. They show up  and then notice people. They introduce themselves to new people. They tell strike up conversations. They pick up chairs. They help stuff bulletins.

These are the people who make church a blast each and every week. Those that show up and give make the church a family. Take those people out, and the church is merely a building that houses a passive, whiny audience each week.

I don’t care if you go to a church of 3 or 30,000, these 2 questions define you as a church-goer.

ps. i’m horrible at this, i have to re-preach this sermon to myself every Sunday as I’m driving to church.

Matthew 11:28-30. From The Message paraphrase:

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Sitting in a meeting, one person used the word “missional” and another asked what it meant. Therefore, I am posting this video which I found via Alan Hirsch.

the Church is the Body of Christ

your local congregation is not the entirity of the Church

the Church is supposed to be a lot of things

• caring for the marginalized
• teaching Truth
• providing for one another
• spending time with one another
• visiting those who are sick
• teaching children
• teaching teenagers
• a place for everyone to belong
• a place to share needs
• a community
• a place that cares for every nation
• a center for communal worship
• a center for communal action
• a center for communion

your local church doesn’t have enough people to do all these things regularly and with perfection

so understand that your church isn’t going to be everything.

and that’s OK

your church may just be a ligament in the Big Toe of the Left Foot of the Body of Christ

if you try to be a bicep, you’ll ruin the whole Body

if you get strained, then the whole Body gets spiritual turf toe