"But don't confuse the terms mission-minded and missional. The first refers more to an attitude of caring about missions, particularly oversees. Missional means actually doing mission right where you are. Missional means adopting the posture of a missionary, learning and adapting to the culture around you while remaining biblically sound. Think of it this way: missional means being a missionary without ever leaving your zip code." --Ed Stetzer, Planting Missional Churches, 19.I
like to thing of myself as a "backyard missionary." Why don't we all meet up on the mission field? Just step out of your front door and you're there.
Today, our family spent part of the afternoon at the South Carolina Botanical Gardens in Clemson. As soon as we stepped out of our vehicle, our senses were immediately struck with the sweet smell of blooming flowers, the sounds of singing birds, and the sight of God's sprouting creation. As we walked through the gardens, I loved watching my daughter as she smelled the blooming flowers, waved at the white ducks, and ran her hands through the leaves of plants.For me, it is impossible to walk away from such an experience and fail to see God's glory displayed in the plants, animals, bugs, etc. that we encountered. "The heavens declare the glory of God,and the sky above proclaims his handiwork" (Psalm 19:1).
No one expects for a newborn baby to be able to eat solid foods like barbeque ribs or fish. Yet, if thirty years later that same person still doesn't know how to pick out the bones, chew, and digest such foods, then clearly something has gone drastically wrong. Yet, this is the very predicament in which some Christians find themselves. As the Apostle Paul once wrote to the church at Corinth: "I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh" (1 Corinthians 3:2,3). In addition, the writer of Hebrews proclaimed: For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you
again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,
for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil (Hebrews 5:12-14).
There is a clear connection between maturity and discernment...as one increases so does the other. Those who are immature lack discernment and practice evil; yet, those who are mature have feasted upon solid food (the word of righteousness) and have gained wisdom and discernment through constant practice. Maturity doesn't happen overnight. If we expect that it will, then we are foolish. Yet, we should not be discouraged by this fact; rather, it should encourage us to pursue the path of wisdom that is found in the Word. I pray that each of us will take time to wean ourselves away from diets that consist of milk alone and instead feast on the full bounty of Christ and the Word.So, why not start now? Click here to go to the online ESV Bible.
I have always been blessed, encouraged, and challanged by the writing and speaking of John Piper. Once again, Piper has picked up his pen in order to write a book that will surely challange believers (and unbelievers) to live for God's glory. His newest book, What Jesus Demands from the World, is now available online for purchase ($12.49 instead of $19.99) or for free reading. You can go here in order to hear Piper briefly talk about this new book.
I just finished watching the Carolina Panthers hand the New Orleans' Saints their first loss of the season. The final score was 21 to 18. It looks like the Panther's are finally building up the momentum that's going to carry them all the way to the Super Bowl! (Well, at least I hope they make it there this year.) Go Panthers!
