The Price Is Right

We love a good deal and when we find a bargain at the right price, we voluntarily tell everyone we meet. I'm curious what the right price is for this thing we call discipleship? In our study in Acts, the pressure to conform reaches a new level. Stephen is called out for his speaking on behalf of Christ. A mob enraged picks up some stones and viciously takes his life. . . and for what? Speaking about love, grace, peace and hope? What was so outrageous that he had to die for being a disciple of Christ? There were those who watched, who did not pick up a stone and throw it. People who probably absolved themselves of this action. But they were just as guilty. Their silence placed them squarely in the middle of this violent action. Is your life too high of a price to pay for this being a disciple of Christ deal? What a waste of potential I can imagine some of the silent ones said to themselves. What a waste of potential to stand idly by and say or do nothing. Just maybe this giving of our life is the deal of the century. What do we get in return? (think about the long term implications of this discipleship deal) What do we get if we decide to be the silent ones on the side line - not getting involved but giving our opinions as to what took place. Have you ever considered why people are so bored when they chose mediocrity over passion for Christ? Maybe Stephen got the deal of the century and we just can't reconcile it with the idols of our land who have captured our minds and hearts.

Thinking or Reacting?

As I reflect on what I see and hear, I'm amazed at how little we think about the implications of what we do and say. There are some fairly ridiculous things being done and said to the applause of the crowds of people trying to fit in. I guess it takes the innocence of a small child to point out the obvious - the Emperor is not wearing anything . . . What does an intentional life look like? Are we willing to take the time to see beyond the moment of today? Are we looking for an emotional rush to stimulate our brains or can we take what is already around us, reflect and think about where we are headed? I'm curious what our preferred future is? Who does it include and who does it exclude? How will be get there? Who is responsible for getting us there? Do we want the applause of the crowds because of our new clothes or do we want the truth from the child who sees and hears the obvious? We are what we eat . . . we are consumed by what consumes us. Peter and John led a movement that set a new standard of living. For those who were willing to think, they found a transformation beyond anything they could of ever hoped for. For those who simply reacted, they got caught in the formalities of power and ended up becoming destroyers of life. Let's kill the very One we and our ancestors have prayed for. We are far too much like the ones who killed Jesus that we are willing to admit. I think it is time to eat at the table where Christ is sitting and be consumed with the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Courage

One of the characteristics that this new movement designed and created by Christ and the Holy Spirit is courage. In our particular, most of our courage appears in our athletics. In the rest of our lives, we simply fold and conform. We do so with our fashions, education and whatever is determined as politically correct. In our study of Acts, we see disciples engaging their culture with grace, love and yes courage. The kind of courage that gets them put in prison for trying to make life better for people. Power of course is at the center of the conflict, both with Rome and with religion. So what does it mean to be courageous in 2009? Does it mean we hold up signs and protest everything and everyone we disagree with? Does it mean that we pull away into protective custody and create a sub culture of people like us? Courage for them propelled them into an unwelcome culture and their mission was not to change people and laws, but to transform lives by the grace and love of Christ. This of course is what changes any culture . . .one life at a time.