August 6, 2011

8-6-11 Saturday, 5:27 am Springfield, 80 degrees.

Audrey and I have both arisen early and have watched last night’s news in lieu of news this morning. I will continue reading Ezra, and then get ready to host the funeral for Logan McConnell at Wesley at 10. I just saw a commercial for a national system of cancer hospitals in which Roger Stump was telling his story. I led a Bible study in his home in 1990 as I was developing a network for the new church SunRise. He and his wife Brenda had attended Shiloh in the last months I was there, and expressed interest in a new church. She and I corresponded with a common interest in David Wilkerson.

Ezra 3-4

The Jewish exiles who returned to Jerusalem set to work to rebuild the temple. They laid its foundation, much smaller than the original, and old men who had known the original wept, and at the same time the current generation cheered the progress. The local residents volunteered to help and were turned away. They then wrote letters to the king and pointed out that Jerusalem had been a rebellious city with rebellious rulers in the past. The king, Artaxerxes, gave them permission to stop the building by force, which they did.

There is much in these chapters that has parallels to situations today. Old folks upset at how the current generation is leading, the secular culture trying to influence the faith community, external forces pushing against leaders of the faith communities using legal means (zoning laws, etc.)

Today we do not live in a time similar to Ezra’s day here in the Midwest of the USA. I am aware that there are environments around the world where factors are similar. Currently we experience much freedom to practice the faith as we choose, and the opposition is minimal. Our challenge is to make spiritual headway, not necessarily in building programs but in “developing more fruitful disciples of Jesus Christ who worship, care, and serve. In doing so there is regularly an eternal impact.

Yesterday I purchased a book by Craig Rochelle entitled Weird. He states that “normal” is not working, and followers of Christ will appear weird if they are radical disciples. Bonhoeffer experienced this as he sought to lead believers to understand the “cost of discipleship”. Our worship planning team is reading Weird with the possibility of gleaning from it themes to use in October.

Lord, may this day be one of obedience, service, and growth in following as you lead me through the hours.