Atrophy
Since the inception of Lifequest, I have found that I have been a real sluggard in the exercising department. Just recently I returned to the gym to discover just how out of shape I had become. Although I could give you some of my crazy workout regimens of the past years just to impress you…naw…won’t do that. I have been an avid gym rat for the last 20 years. To my amazement, I realized after a few short visits how much better I feel. I am not as tired as I was, I am hungry for healthier food, and my Arnold body is coming back…well a least 2 of the last statements are true.
Atrophy is a word used to describe a body part that is wasting away. The causes are poor circulation, poor nutrition, and a lack of exercise. I have noticed in my absences of working out that I was encountering atrophy in different parts of my body. My joints were starting to ache, and when I consumed anything unhealthy (especially in the sugar area), I would become very fatigued. For those who say that 50 is the new 40: that statement made me realize that I felt more like 50 was the new 60! (You might be wondering what the method to the madness is that I am rambling on about!)
Our passion in LifeQuest is to see a Jesus-centered people/movement. Not that we have mastered anything! However, being a Jesus-centered people/movement means that we have a passion for seeing churches planted and people empowered. I question why the church here in the west is in a state of atrophy. The body is just wasting away! It may be due to improper nutrition, or maybe just a lack of exercise overall! I find it interesting in Paul’s writings how his way of handling the churches’ problems are so different than the way we handle them today. In Corinth we see an array of church dysfunction. All kinds of crazy and wild things were happening! Corinth was alive with spiritual gifts with uses and abuses.
Thank God that Paul wasn’t an alarmist. He was confident that even in its dysfunction that it was important not to shame the church, but rather further empower it. I am not making excuses for sin or dysfunction, for they are a present reality. However, Paul laid down some crucial foundation to insure that the church was empowered to be released to overcome atrophy. We read in 1 Corinthians 12:1-6:
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know that[a] you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.
Notice Paul’s words “it is the same God who works all in all”. Paul had confidence and faith in the ever-present Holy Spirit to impart life to the body. When people discover that church is more than listening to sermons, tithing, working in children’s church, etc. (you fill in the rest), a synergy of life comes to God’s people.
Gifts- a grace-filled gift is given by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the indwelling Charisma. Each member of His body has received these gifts to exercise them on behalf of building up His body.
Ministries- Paul uses a word here that we are not unfamiliar with. It is the word “diaknois” where we get the word “servant” or “waiter” .This is the same word that was used in Acts 6 regarding the deacons. Paul tells the church that gifts and ministries flow in proper circulation when they work in unison to serve each other. As Jesus said, “The Son of Man came to serve, not to be served, and to give His life as a ransom for many”.
Activities- another thought-provoking word. This word is translated as energy. When God’s people discover their gifts and ministries, an amazing energy flows into the body. Church then becomes more than what we do on Sundays; church becomes a people empowered to live out the mission.
In an age of testing, strength finders, spiritual gifts assessments, programs, and classes that enable people to further explore their ministries, maybe we should just let the Holy Spirit do His thing in a simple, organic way. We never see Paul telling the churches we need special classes to help people discover their spiritual gifts. So how does this happen? Steps, right? How-to’s? Gifts, ministries, and activities are a manifestation of His love. As our human bodies cry for exercise and movement, even so Jesus’ body is asking, “Isn’t there more to my existence?”
Peace,
Mike
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
My Gospel
My Gospel
Paul the apostle was bold enough to include in his writings the phrase “My Gospel”. At first glance, that doesn’t seem too earth shattering, does it? However, a closer look at Paul reveals something about his passion for the Gospel and the Gospel alone. As we read in 2 Timothy 2:8:
8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel.
I often wonder if our Gospel is the Gospel that Paul preached. In a day of man-centered messages, do we here in 21st century America capture the essence of the Gospel? Let me state emphatically that I believe that there are no problems with the Gospel foretold in the Scriptures. However, maybe we have some missing components of the Gospel. Paul seemed in every difficult church situation to turn the gaze of the church he was mentoring back to the Gospel. The Gospel was the solution for heresy in Galatia, for division in Corinth, and everything that plagued the early church. Paul brought the infant church back to the basics of the Gospel. I would like to offer some insights into some very simple but yet profound basics of the Gospel that might be missing in our Gospel.
Paul seemed to focus on these.
1) An Indwelling Christ
Christ in you, the Hope of Glory. In a day with so much focus on our needs as humans, we seem to forget the power of His resurrection that now dwells within us. Paul stated in Romans, “Let the same Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you. And it will quicken your mortal body.” Jesus is telling the disciples “it is to your advantage that I go away; unless I go away the Comforter will not come”. In essence, Jesus was stating that when He leaves the Spirit will come and dwell within us, and actually make His home in us!
That’s Gospel, my friends. Christ Jesus possessing you and I. Let’s exchange our emptiness for his fullness.
2) The Greatness of Jesus
In regards to the statements Jesus made about Himself, let’s include them in the Gospel. Here are a few:
Word of God
Light of the World
Alpha and Omega
Bread of Life
Way, Truth, and Life
Resurrection and the Life
I was recently at a Thai restaurant with some friends having dinner. As I approached the cashier to pay the bill, I asked the lady if she was a Buddhist. A young man standing near spoke up and said, “She is, and I am a Hindu”.
Sensing I had an open door, I quoted 3 former religious figures:
Buddha said “There is no Truth”
Mohamed said “ I am still looking for the Truth”
Jesus said “I am the Truth”
Those words pierce the heart and proclaim the greatness of Jesus in the Gospel.
3) The Eternal Purpose of God
Paul’s Gospel started with God’s purpose instead of man’s need. Man has need, no doubt. But as we read Ephesians and Colossians, Paul uses these words in his writings: as we read from Ephesians 3:11:
“…according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord”
What does Paul mean by this? God’s intention is to reveal the reason Christ Jesus came. It wasn’t just so we can manage sin. His purpose is to bring us into the fullness of his Son. The purpose that Jesus came was to connect us to the Father in reality of relationship.
I liken God’s eternal purpose to watching the Star Wars movies. You’re introduced to all the characters in episodes 4, 5, and 6. But it’s not until you see 1, 2, and 3 that you understand the fullness of the movies. In our case, the Gospels in the Bible are the middle of the drama, and Ephesians and Colossians show us God’s purpose before creation, and thus we see the whole picture of God’s eternal purpose.
I pray that our Gospel will become Paul’s Gospel.
Peace,
Mike
Paul the apostle was bold enough to include in his writings the phrase “My Gospel”. At first glance, that doesn’t seem too earth shattering, does it? However, a closer look at Paul reveals something about his passion for the Gospel and the Gospel alone. As we read in 2 Timothy 2:8:
8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel.
I often wonder if our Gospel is the Gospel that Paul preached. In a day of man-centered messages, do we here in 21st century America capture the essence of the Gospel? Let me state emphatically that I believe that there are no problems with the Gospel foretold in the Scriptures. However, maybe we have some missing components of the Gospel. Paul seemed in every difficult church situation to turn the gaze of the church he was mentoring back to the Gospel. The Gospel was the solution for heresy in Galatia, for division in Corinth, and everything that plagued the early church. Paul brought the infant church back to the basics of the Gospel. I would like to offer some insights into some very simple but yet profound basics of the Gospel that might be missing in our Gospel.
Paul seemed to focus on these.
1) An Indwelling Christ
Christ in you, the Hope of Glory. In a day with so much focus on our needs as humans, we seem to forget the power of His resurrection that now dwells within us. Paul stated in Romans, “Let the same Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead dwell in you. And it will quicken your mortal body.” Jesus is telling the disciples “it is to your advantage that I go away; unless I go away the Comforter will not come”. In essence, Jesus was stating that when He leaves the Spirit will come and dwell within us, and actually make His home in us!
That’s Gospel, my friends. Christ Jesus possessing you and I. Let’s exchange our emptiness for his fullness.
2) The Greatness of Jesus
In regards to the statements Jesus made about Himself, let’s include them in the Gospel. Here are a few:
Word of God
Light of the World
Alpha and Omega
Bread of Life
Way, Truth, and Life
Resurrection and the Life
I was recently at a Thai restaurant with some friends having dinner. As I approached the cashier to pay the bill, I asked the lady if she was a Buddhist. A young man standing near spoke up and said, “She is, and I am a Hindu”.
Sensing I had an open door, I quoted 3 former religious figures:
Buddha said “There is no Truth”
Mohamed said “ I am still looking for the Truth”
Jesus said “I am the Truth”
Those words pierce the heart and proclaim the greatness of Jesus in the Gospel.
3) The Eternal Purpose of God
Paul’s Gospel started with God’s purpose instead of man’s need. Man has need, no doubt. But as we read Ephesians and Colossians, Paul uses these words in his writings: as we read from Ephesians 3:11:
“…according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord”
What does Paul mean by this? God’s intention is to reveal the reason Christ Jesus came. It wasn’t just so we can manage sin. His purpose is to bring us into the fullness of his Son. The purpose that Jesus came was to connect us to the Father in reality of relationship.
I liken God’s eternal purpose to watching the Star Wars movies. You’re introduced to all the characters in episodes 4, 5, and 6. But it’s not until you see 1, 2, and 3 that you understand the fullness of the movies. In our case, the Gospels in the Bible are the middle of the drama, and Ephesians and Colossians show us God’s purpose before creation, and thus we see the whole picture of God’s eternal purpose.
I pray that our Gospel will become Paul’s Gospel.
Peace,
Mike
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Together
Together
Yucaipa, CA
LifeQuest celebrated its first "Together" time Sunday March 1st at the Old Church in Yucaipa, CA. Together is a time when all of the churches, friends, and partners of LifeQuest come to hear what God is doing in the movement that we are part of.
Our LifeQuest core team felt it was important to create the same atmosphere that we have been experiencing in home meetings for the last 2 months. So we set up in the downstairs of the building where it feels like a big living room. We packed over 75 people in the room. From the outset we could sense God's pleasure and presence. The room was filled with voices expressing their praise to God for his goodness and grace. As the music ended the worship continued as our churches gave thanks to God for his work in their local expressions. From Lake Arrowhead to Yucaipa, from Indians, Pakistanis, and Hispanics we saw the mosaic of God's people from every nation, tribe, and tongue expressing what his mighty works are in the earth.
Much of my life in Christ has longed for a 1 Corinthians 14 encounter. The encounter that Paul says, "Whenever you gather, one has a psalm, a hymn, a word, but let everything be done decently and in order.” There was such freedom that many spoke out in prayer. Prophecy flowed to encourage those in despair. The Word of God was proclaimed from John's gospel. Art was used as an expression of worship. The artist’s conception declared the healing of the heart for several women who were in need of release from hopelessness.
A vision was cast to see new churches planted in Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and other parts of Southern California. Much thanks goes to a great group of Jesus lovers and followers. As the movement grows, we look forward to celebrating with all those who want to follow Jesus into the mystery of his kingdom.
Peace,
Mike
Yucaipa, CA
LifeQuest celebrated its first "Together" time Sunday March 1st at the Old Church in Yucaipa, CA. Together is a time when all of the churches, friends, and partners of LifeQuest come to hear what God is doing in the movement that we are part of.
Our LifeQuest core team felt it was important to create the same atmosphere that we have been experiencing in home meetings for the last 2 months. So we set up in the downstairs of the building where it feels like a big living room. We packed over 75 people in the room. From the outset we could sense God's pleasure and presence. The room was filled with voices expressing their praise to God for his goodness and grace. As the music ended the worship continued as our churches gave thanks to God for his work in their local expressions. From Lake Arrowhead to Yucaipa, from Indians, Pakistanis, and Hispanics we saw the mosaic of God's people from every nation, tribe, and tongue expressing what his mighty works are in the earth.
Much of my life in Christ has longed for a 1 Corinthians 14 encounter. The encounter that Paul says, "Whenever you gather, one has a psalm, a hymn, a word, but let everything be done decently and in order.” There was such freedom that many spoke out in prayer. Prophecy flowed to encourage those in despair. The Word of God was proclaimed from John's gospel. Art was used as an expression of worship. The artist’s conception declared the healing of the heart for several women who were in need of release from hopelessness.
A vision was cast to see new churches planted in Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and other parts of Southern California. Much thanks goes to a great group of Jesus lovers and followers. As the movement grows, we look forward to celebrating with all those who want to follow Jesus into the mystery of his kingdom.
Peace,
Mike
Sunday, February 8, 2009
The First Trimester
Starting a new venture seemed a little crazy to my family and friends in uncertain economic times. Even one friend said to me "You've got to be crazy or you have really heard from God". Hopefully both was my response.
After traveling the world in 2008 I sensed God was leading me and my wife Kathy on a new venture which has now become LifeQuest. Along with a few other brave souls we launched out in December of 2008. We are now in our first trimester of a new birth of what we are calling a church planting movement.
Since I have never been pregnant for me to speak of birthing anything is probably an insult to most women who have. So I will not even at the risk of being somewhat knowledgeable even dare to whisper anything that would catch the ire of women across the globe who have endured 9 months of childbirth.
I recall every time my wife told me she was with child. I honestly felt as if I was thrown into the den of despair. My mind wandered to the how to's of life. How would we pay for this child? Working two jobs to make ends meet and then coming home to a wife who was so sick with morning sickness that it turned in to 3 months worth of all day sickness. I thought we must be crazy to do this 3 times in 6 years. But the byproduct of this struggle for us was what now has become 4 amazing children. Two grandchildren by the way my daughters Mary and Leah have between them 1 amazing new baby Baylee and our new grand daughter Emmy who is due in 2 months.
So here we are in the first trimester of LifeQuest. It has taken me back to those early days when Kathy was with child. Every emotion known to man from despair to excitement to fear to hope from anticipation to the what ifs. To the how are we going to do this? How are we going to pay for this? Some have ask why now?
Why at 50? Church planting is for young guys! You know people with energy! People who have been given alot of money and backing. So Mike are you crazy?
In this first trimester of Life Quest I have seen more life than maybe any of my other 30 years in church life combined. God's provision has overwhelmed us. The Spirit has empowered us. God has challenged me that this is a new day for the church. It is only those who are willing to risk that will see his power. Vision opens the door to the future. With all the zaniness of seeing God birth something new. I hope like never before. I see Christ as this wild missional messiah as Alan Hirsch puts it. Please follow along with us as we enter enter into Trimester number 2 real shortly. This ride is only for those who are willing to take risk.
Peace,
MG
After traveling the world in 2008 I sensed God was leading me and my wife Kathy on a new venture which has now become LifeQuest. Along with a few other brave souls we launched out in December of 2008. We are now in our first trimester of a new birth of what we are calling a church planting movement.
Since I have never been pregnant for me to speak of birthing anything is probably an insult to most women who have. So I will not even at the risk of being somewhat knowledgeable even dare to whisper anything that would catch the ire of women across the globe who have endured 9 months of childbirth.
I recall every time my wife told me she was with child. I honestly felt as if I was thrown into the den of despair. My mind wandered to the how to's of life. How would we pay for this child? Working two jobs to make ends meet and then coming home to a wife who was so sick with morning sickness that it turned in to 3 months worth of all day sickness. I thought we must be crazy to do this 3 times in 6 years. But the byproduct of this struggle for us was what now has become 4 amazing children. Two grandchildren by the way my daughters Mary and Leah have between them 1 amazing new baby Baylee and our new grand daughter Emmy who is due in 2 months.
So here we are in the first trimester of LifeQuest. It has taken me back to those early days when Kathy was with child. Every emotion known to man from despair to excitement to fear to hope from anticipation to the what ifs. To the how are we going to do this? How are we going to pay for this? Some have ask why now?
Why at 50? Church planting is for young guys! You know people with energy! People who have been given alot of money and backing. So Mike are you crazy?
In this first trimester of Life Quest I have seen more life than maybe any of my other 30 years in church life combined. God's provision has overwhelmed us. The Spirit has empowered us. God has challenged me that this is a new day for the church. It is only those who are willing to risk that will see his power. Vision opens the door to the future. With all the zaniness of seeing God birth something new. I hope like never before. I see Christ as this wild missional messiah as Alan Hirsch puts it. Please follow along with us as we enter enter into Trimester number 2 real shortly. This ride is only for those who are willing to take risk.
Peace,
MG
Whole lot of shakin' goin on
Last night we had the launching of LifeQuest Lake Arrowhead. We truly had an amazing night of people interacting around Jesus, His word, prayer, heart to heart, tears, words of predictions and great worship.At one point in the meeting I (Mike Giordano) recalled many predictions concerning God moving in the Mountain communities of Lake Arrowhead, Crestline, and Running Springs Ca. I asked the 25 or so people to stand as we prayed together for a new movement of the Holy Spirit in that region. As we stood to pray we made a proclaimation about God moving and making good on his promises. The place we met begin to shake. Laughter erupted in the room. Now living in Southern California for 17 years rarely do you see Californians laughing when a earthquake happens. Typically it is run for your life. Truly it was an ACTS encounter. God moved powerfully the rest of the evening. There were shouts of joy believing we just experienced a sign and wonder.Those of you who know me know that I am not or aleast I think that I'm not a creepy crawler follower of Jesus. You know one of those who sees Angel faces in boxes of macorni, one of those God tells people about every red moon that the this is the beggining of the great tribulation.Simply put God sometimes confirms his word by signs and wonders. Hebrews 12 states "Everything that can be shaken will be shaken, so the things that can't be shaken must remain. Since we have received a Kingdom that cannot be shaken Let us.................. Acts 4 after an intense arrest of Peter and John the apostles prayed for the continued move of God and to exalt the name of the precious one Jesus. It states the place the met shook. If I can be so blunt in the birthing process of God doing a new thing he can once more shake the heavens and the earth. When a simple band of believers met last night and prayed for God to fulfill his promise of a move of God and the place shook and we did not fear but rejoiced. A renewed sense of joy filled the hearts of God's people. Yes I believe as Joshua if God can make the sun still so he can continue to make a mockery of the enemies of God. Why can't God send an Earthquake as a sign and wonder? By the way know one was hurt and minimal damage was done. For those who think when God moves there are no aftershocks. However don't forget the book of ACTS in general. It tends to be messy.As the winds of changes blow across our world there is a new refreshing wind blowing in the church of Jesus. This is but the beginning of a new day of shaking. God is shaking the governmental, economic, social fabric of our society. This could be one of the finest hours of the church. When God shakes things we hold on to We discover the things that really become important to us. People are looking for real life. Those of us who follow him will we hold on and cling to the one who shakes all things?Peace he says in the midst of whole lot of shaking goin on.We are preparing for a move of God as this shaking will continue. When we hear move of God what does that mean? It sounds so creepy huh? Well maybe it means that we must become a mobile people again. People who move with God as he moves. A people who say Lord I will trust you in the unknown. Hebrews 11:8 talks of Abraham going out or moving not knowing where he was going. Letting go of all things such as debt, security, and safety these things we middle class americans tend to cling to.It's a new day.PeaceMG
Reply(post is too long by 1 characters)
Reply(post is too long by 1 characters)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
