Praying… “to know this love (high, wide, long, deep) that surpasses knowledge” ~ Ephesians 3.

What kind of environment do W.E. need in order to cultivate these kinds of prayers?

W.E. both stop and pray as W.E. do so, W.E. must be free to get “lost” in prayer (as W.E. get lost in God’s love).

Most of life’s greatest direction happens when we get lost in prayer.

Christianity is the most culturally diverse religious movement in history of the human race. Whatever we encountered in this historical moment it’s just one tiny sliver of our faith-filled heritage.

On the cross, Jesus absorbs both personal sin and culture pride, both which pinned him on that tree. The cross (and Risen Savior on it) not only creates a lasting bridge between us and God but also us breaks down the walls of hostility between people and people groups (Eph 2 & 3).

In modern evangelicalism, the focus has been so much personal sin, personal salvation and personal relationship that we missed this idea of the Kingdom, which is wonderfully multi-cultural and multi-ethnic (Gen. 12:1-3, Ps. 86:9, Isa. 57:6, Matt. 28:18-20, Gal. 3:28, Rev. 7:9-10).

To note: I drew a lot of inspiration from the crew at Bible Project.

It is within the human (childlike) design to explore, pioneer and adventure in order to comprehend. Within the soul is the longing for purpose... to be sent for the sake of the Kingdom.

Without this, one begins to insulate and slowly distrust what one has encountered.

Be sent. The Kingdom awaits.

NOTE: This messages deals with significant cultural conversations. W.E. pray that God's kindness accompanies these words.

Ride the waves. Jump over waves. Race the waves. Fight the waves. Wave at the waves.

A spiritual practice that can renew and open the eyes of our heart is the spiritual practice of PLAY!

“Have we dismissed the child within us and lost the joy of life and the delight in God that emerges when we play and laugh and marvel at the world around us?” ~ Christine Aroney-Sine

What are the key characteristics of Childlike Faith? What hinders people from Childlike Faith?

As we grow up, these may be the two most important questions.

As W.E. transitions from the first half of the year into the second, from the prophetic books of the Old and New Testaments into an early church letter, may W.E. take time to realize that God is the Good Shepherd…

…Who INVITES us into life.

… Who CHALLENGES us into love.

Intercessory Prayer. Healing Prayer. Good ol' praying for one another.

A major barrier to asking for prayer is… vulnerability. It's risky sharing the good, bad and the not so pretty.

Yet, vulnerability is how relationships thrive.

When we share life’s difficulties, everyone realizes we are a lil less alone (and perhaps less cray-cray for that matter). As Nouwen/ Jung stated, “The most personal is the most universal.”

Our sharing is the beginning of healing

Andrew Kelly

12:53 PM (0 minutes ago)

to me

Tough times? …. Be patient.

Feels a bit patronizing doesn’t it? Like something comparable to “chill out”, “calm down” or “relax.”

“Be Patient” is actually not some throw-away advice. Patience is a gift and a practice (a lot like love). Sometimes the only thing we can experience is patience.

What is patience? And how do we live patiently?

These 4 areas provide the injustices the Kingdom opposes.

1. Greed

2. Power

3. Violence

4. Exclusion

Do we see any of the following reflected in or around our lives?

When we plan our life around our work, work will plan our “life.” And for many, the inevitability is “When we plan our life around our work, work becomes our life.” Conversely, When we plan our life around the kingdom of God, the kingdom becomes our life.

Great statement. Feels churchy. Even tweetable. (It may sound good but it’s not instructive though…).

If it is the Lord’s will… How do we plan for the Lord’s will?

NOTE: There is a worksheet that we used for this sermon. It is attached.