Godgrown

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  Mark 10:11 am on February 6, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

  The MACRO Layer: A Hub of Linking Activity 

  Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world— like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden…”

  Why did Jesus pick a CITY?  Sure, its a nice image – but much more appropriate would have been the LIGHTHOUSE.  ”You are the lighthouse of the world…” not only is it a much more dynamic image, evoking some stoic, singular beacon of light over the chaotic darkness of the world, but the Lighthouse of Alexandria had just been completed not long before, and was the envy of the world.  It’s construction was massive - and was known in Jesus’ day as it still is today, as one of the greatest architectural accomplishments of the ancient world.  (1 of the 7 Great Wonders!)

  Jesus – not to pick apart your sermon, but why didn’t you say we were the LIGHTHOUSE of the world??

  Giving Jesus preaching tips?  Maybe not.  As usual, he knew what he was talking about.  A clue can be found in the Greek text itself – the “You” in “you are the light of the world…” is PLURAL.

  We together are the light of the world.  We together become a city of light!

  A lighthouse, while it was the image of Jesus’ day to communicate light and proclaiming truth, it wasn’t the image that would describe the connected, networked Kingdom that Jesus understood.  We are a city of light.

  While lighthouses are static, solitary, and singular, cities are a collective, and always in the state of “becoming,” (believe me – the traffic, bustle, and construction outside my coffee shop window remind me of this fact all the time!)  This organized chaos, this intentional discord brings about the kind of light Jesus is looking for in his Kingdom! Cities are a hub of light – of linking activity that connects people and places and resources together all at once – and is virtually impossible to black out as compared to simply snuffing out a lighthouse.

  When the Christian sees his life as a “lighthouse” a “John Wayne” of isolated faith, he becomes the “lighthouse” for the world – no longer does he need a faith-city to contribute his light to, no longer does he need to participate in a tribe of faith.  He arrogantly believes that his light is enough for the world.  He’s okay on his own with his Bible thank you very much!

  Obviously, this might work out for awhile, but before long, the light goes out.  Networking with a congregation, a “MACRO,” brings about the support, and the regional impact a larger community can afford.  It displays the manifold wisdom of God before the world – and that’s something you can’t hide under a bushel…

  Want to learn more? Sign up for the MACRO Layer Course, beginning March 1st!

  
   

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  Mark 10:46 am on February 2, 2011 Permalink | Reply  

  Chicago’s Cher-SNOW-byl 

  Chicago is under a blinding blizzard the likes of which we haven’t seen since 1967.  Its amazing how absolutely consuming the weather is right now.  It’s all over the Tribune, Facebook, and my conversations here at a local bakery.

  I’m peering out a window as plows push away a pile of snow only to let the sky create a new problem right behind them.  People are catching cabs – leaving their cars in the middle of the streets.  I think I saw a bus go by with chains wrapped around its tires.  Chicagoans become both paralyzed by the might of the weather, and strangely adventurous in its wake!  People out with snow shoes, ski goggles, I think I even saw a pack of huskies pulling a CTA train…

  It is powerful watching the wind blow in the middle of a blizzard.  Its almost unbelievable watching lightning clap across the sky illuminating the millions of snowflakes in view.  ”Thundersnow…” who’dda thought…

  All this brings to mind just how fragile this whole project is.  I mean – this isn’t exactly the full extent of the universe’s power – a simple solar flare at the wrong angle or a slight chink in our earth’s electro-magnetic armor and this snow would melt in a millisecond and so would we.  There truly is no limit to the power God has in his hands – this is just a kind reminder of what’s possible.  It’s also a reminder of the continued grace of our existence!  Sitting in this warm space with decent coffee and a funny folk music playing in the background is all a grace.

  Ancient cultures believed that this weather madness was proof of a two gods fighting it out in heaven leaving us with the collateral damage.  Worrisome.

  Keep the fragility of your life always before you, but don’t live it out in fear.  Let it be a moment of living in the dependence of the very Power who controls this “snowpacalyse” – who puts a limit to the force of the winds and the feet of snow that fall.  God didn’t destroy chaos when he created this world of order; he put it in it’s place:

  Job 38:8 “Who kept the sea inside its boundaries

  as it burst from the womb,

  9 and as I clothed it with clouds

  and wrapped it in thick darkness?

  10 For I locked it behind barred gates,

  limiting its shores.

  11 I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come.

  Here your proud waves must stop!’

  If you’re experiencing the power of God’s chaos today – enjoy the grace of existence in the midst of it all.  He’s got chaos on a leash, but today he’s letting it loose for a little while.

  
   
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  Mark 5:47 pm on November 15, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

  Sidewalk Findings – Random Sights around My City