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Redemption through Coffee

Today, I'm sitting at a new coffee shop in White Center, nestled comfortably in the new public housing community called Greenbridge. Dubsea Coffee is the first retailer to move into this community, and it is so nice to have them here. I'm drawn to this place, its workers, its style, and I think i'm starting to realize why.
Anyone who knows me well knows how much I love coffee. I often joke that coffee really is spiritual--i do consider it a good and perfect gift, every one of which the Bible tells us is from God (James 1:17). But, at this local coffee shop, I think the connection between what they are doing and what God is doing is much more profound than the people who work there ever will realize. I asked the owner, Sibelle, what the name "Dubsea" comes from. She told me that while the town of White Center has such a negative reputation, many here are proud of this town--with a sense of pride, they affectionately call it "Dub-Sea." She wants her shop to represent the pride of White Center--all that is good. In a sense, she wants her to shop to be a impetus for the redemption of this little town that she and others love so much. She has embarked in a movement that she hopes others will pursue--to bring light to what has tended to be a darkened community. Actually, she joins with a few other entrepenuerial business owners who see a bright future for this cities--Big Al Brewery, Full Tilt Ice Cream, and Proletariat Pizza are new businesses who's owners are bringing redemption to a place otherwise known for dance clubs and porn shops.
How do these people, most likely without realizing it, reflect the heart of God? Well, God is all about redemption. He is about taking what is broken and making it new. The Bible teaches that God will reconcile all things into relationship with him one day--he will restore all things in and through Jesus Christ. All things, including us humans, are broken and at odds with God. Jesus, however, offers reconciliation--redemption. The Bible teaches that we are separated from God because of our sin, but through the sacrifice of Jesus, restoration is possible--and through him, we who believe are united with God and made new--restored--redeemed. God smiles on me and fixes my brokenness because of Jesus, and that is a beautiful truth. One day all things will be restored to him.
But for now, as we look around us, most things remain broken. That's why I think these few business owners, who may not even believe in God or in Jesus, are doing God's work. They are bringing to this community a small piece of redemption, and they, therefore, bring a picture of what God is doing in the hearts of people and will do for all creation. I wonder if any of them realize that they are, to this community, a gift from God???? Maybe...sometime...we'll get a chance to show them that...as we drink their coffee, or whatever they serve, and support their movement of redemption. I pray for these business owners to be successful, because in their success, redemption in this community shines brighter.

Pastor B.

What's the Difference?

This is a long one. So, a couple of days ago, i talked with the local Universal, Unitarian Church "minister." If you don't know, A minister or "reverend" in this denomination is to be a spiritual advisor to everyone, to let them believe whatever they want to believe, live however they want to live, and label everyone who believes in truth as intolerant. Now, i'm not here to bash her or attack her; but she attacks other men in her blog, and that bothers me. These men are essentially attacked for having strong beliefs, and while maybe i wouldn't jump on the bandwagon of their methodology, I don't consider them to haters who attack and withhold basic humanitarian rights. So, this lady emailed me and wanted to talk; I wondered what she could want--a theological debate? a question about my stance on homosexual rights? I didn't know. Turns out it was strickly business related--her church may be interested in buying our old building--I answered her questions, but I have some heartache at the thought of their assembly purchasing a building in which so much work for true God has come, so much teaching of truth, so many lives changed--for nearly 100 years--all in the name of Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I am not a biggot, not discriminatory, not a hater. I disagree with many of the theological positions of this lady's denomination, but those things aren't what hurt my heart as much as their perspective as to who God is. I have thought about this for the last 36 hours--what, at the heart of it all, is the biggest difference between our denominations? I mean, I can fellowship in the Lord with people of many denominations--but not that one. I could join in God's work with many denominations--but not the Unitarian Universalists--it's not personal. Why? not ultimately because of their stance on homosexuality (that's not the heart of the issue). It's because of their view of God. I'm reading this "minister"s" blog as well as their doctrinal positions, and i realized--they have created a god in their image. For these people, god is who and what they want him to be--not self-defined, as I believe the Bible teaches, not self-existent, not sovereign, not...anything. For her, god is pretty much whatever we want him to be--your view of god is as valid as anyone else's--and what you want to do with your life is fine. Their theology has corrupted their morality. So, if god is defined by humans, exists merely in the minds of humans, than who really is divine??? Yeah, humans. Perhaps this is what John refered to as the spirit of the antichrist. This scares me, but it is the trend of our world. All the sinful morality of our culture is the result of twisted views of God. So--i'm not going to waste my time trying to argue about homosexuality and other sins; they are but symptoms of a society that considers humans to be divine. They don't need me to fight them--they need the Gospel. I'm not going to fight with a picket sign; i'll give them the perspective of a God who created them, loves them in spite of their sin, has reached out to them through Jesus, and will accept them with open arms if they would simply turn to him from sin. That's the God who i serve and love--that's the God who has revealed himself to us through Jesus. My heart aches for this woman and the people she influences, because for them, all the crap that happens in this world, all the brokenness, all the mess is depended on people for restoration--but I believe in the true God who promises reconciliation and restoration of all things to him and to perfection through Jesus. Praise God that he has revealed himself to us in the Bible; we gotta share his message, Pastor B.

What I'm Reading So Beautiful by Leanord Sweet Forgotten God by Francis Chan The Shaping of Things to Come by Frost and Hirsch

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Thanks 'Jake,' that meant a lot

Tonight, a man in our church, we'll call him "Jake," did something that really meant a lot to me. He is not the only one that has done this sort of thing, but for some reason, tonight, it just meant a lot. He came up to me and pointed out a rather important need we have in our church. I am sure that the need is something he and his family sense on a personal level, but i'm also sure he realizes this is a need many others probably have. What was special was that in the same breath as he pointed out this need, he also offered to be a part of solving the problem. He said, essentially, "Here's an area where we need some improvement, how can I help?" That was special--that meant  a lot. This is a relatively small church, and in small churches, the needs often outnumber the available and willing people out there who can help. There are a number of people in our church who have stepped up when they've seen needs, and I appreciate you all. "Jake," it meant a lot to me that you did that. You put on display that passage in Romans 12 in which we are called to be "living sacrifices." You offered yourself to be used for God's glory and for the benefit of his people--thank you. In this you honor God. In this you bless his church. In this, you humble this pastor, and I just want to express thanks--to you and to all of you who are of this same mindset--thank you. Only through this mentality can this church affect our community. You are a blessing to me. Pastor B.

What I'm Reading (Re)UNDERSTANDING PRAYER by Kyle Lake Vintage Church by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears So BeautifulI by Leonard Sweet Revolution by George Barna Crazy Love by Francis Chan Shepharding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp What's On My Ipod Fiction Family Dashboard Confessional The David Crowder Band Podcasts from Rob Bell, Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler

Words of Wisdom from 'The Teacher'

So, I just read through the book of Ecclesiastes. I'll probably camp here for a while, digesting the book slowly, but i wanted a good overall perspective. I've got to say, the words are deep and cut right to my heart. Here's a man who calls himself the "Teacher"--in Hebrew--Qoheleth--it's King Solomon most likely, who had all there was to have, who saw all there was to see, who enjoyed all there was to enjoy, but who also saw the dark side of indulgence. Throughout the book, there is this consistent theme that is summed up clearly in the last two verses of the book, "When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is: fear God and keep His commands, because this is for all humanity. For God will bring every act to judgment, inclding every hidden thing, whether good or evil." (HCSB) We're given 2 instructions--fear God and keep his commands. Sounds simple--but oh, it's so hard. I jive with Solomon's perspective on this--so much stuff gets in the way of fulfilling that. Life's pleasures, the pursuit of accomplishments, really pride and selfishness hinders us from being obedient. Pride corrupts even our best accomplishments. It does mine. I mean, how many times to we try to make sure others know how hard we're working, how much we've done, how well we've done, and how much we've given? Who's approval are we seeking? As a pastor, my goal and responsibility is to fear God and keep his commandments--always. If I do that, I may or may not be noticed, but i'll be obedient. This writer then says that every act will be brought to judgment--even the hidden things we think we get away with--our heart motives--gonna be judged! That's scary. I know my heart's not always right--and so does God. Again, the answer is to first fear God. Secret sins, things we think are ok because noone knows--God sees them--again--we've got to fear God. Fortunately for us--for me--God is also a God of forgiveness who will forgive us when we confess our sins (1 John 1:9). Jesus has paid the penalty for my sins so i don't have to worry about eternal damnation, but...if i spend my whole life "serving God" with impure or improper motives--what reward will there be for me? I can be forgiven, but i want God to be pleased with my work! This is heavy on me today. I know me--I know my weaknesses, my struggles--but you know yours too. We all live there at times--live with the awareness of the "holes" in our lives--in our walk with God. I'm so glad to know God is ready to forgive me at the drop of a prayer--Instantly! Completely! Today,  I am setting out to truly walk in the presence of God moment by moment, and while i realize that there will be distractions, I think it's possible to come close. Walking in his presence doesn't mean i'm going to be chanting in Latin and not talking to anyone all day--but I want to live with the awareness that he's right here--we'll see how that changes how I choose to use my time. I hope you're day is going well. Fear God; Be Obedient, Pastor B.

What I'm Reading (Re)UNDERSTANDING PRAYER by Kyle Lake Vintage Church by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears So BeautifulI by Leonard Sweet Revolution by George Barna What's On My Ipod Fiction Family Dashboard Confessional The David Crowder Band Podcasts from Rob Bell, Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler

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